Les monstres passent demain matin
Have you heard of “les monstres”?
If you happen to notice old fridges/washing machines, mattresses, settees, bathtubs and broken furniture lying around on a certain day of each month, it probably means it’s ‘les monstres’ day.
Usually once per month or on request, items should be ‘put out next to the bins the evening before and must not block pavements or roads’
More formally, expect to hear ‘les encombrants’ or ‘les déchets volumineux’ to describe this bulky household waste put out for special collection.
Today, many communes no longer collect automatically and require you to book a pickup, or take items to the déchetterie. Check it out at your local mairie.
In Catalonia, you may also hear trastos grossos (big junk)
When my son was younger (much younger) he informed me on very good authority (classmates) that these things were originally put outside to appease monsters who came after little children, but would settle for a bite of fridge or old bedstead if no tender flesh available.