Do you dream of wandering through a Paris fleamarket, finding a treasure to take home? An unique and much more sustainable souvenir of your visit to this wonderful city of Paris, as well as supporting a local small business.
This is Part 2 of a series of blog posts where I share what I've learnt as a brocanteuse living in Paris.
In this blog ...
My favourite monthly fleamarket venues and some FAQs
I'm often asked about Paris fleamarket dates in advance by people wanting to plan their visits and I understand this. But all fleamarket market plans can change or be cancelled. The monthly markets I’m featuring here are the most regular, though do please check my Instagram the day before.
However, there are always pop up fleamarkets happening in Paris, so whichever date you choose to come, as long as it is over a weekend you will be spoilt for choice, and you can use my Instagram stories as your guide!
Please see Part One of the insider's guide for the details of the weekly markets.
The Monthly Paris Fleamarkets
These are some regular events in Paris which may help you plan your visit:
Bourse Fleamarket:
This is held in the square in front of the Bourse in the 2ème Arrondisement, at the top of the escalator out of Bourse Metro station. This is NOT the Bourse de Commerce Art gallery but just Bourse!
It takes place on the first Thursday of each month.
There are regular sellers, all of whom are professional, and whilst it is not big, I usually come away with some quality finds. The café Vaudeville along side is charming and very traditionally Parisian. I do usually enjoy a coffee and people watch there after a busy morning buying!
Sully-Morland Fleamarket
This takes place on Boulevard Morland, in the 4ème just along from the Sully-Morland Metro. There is a large building raised on columns which provides shelter underneath for the sellers who bag these pitches.
This happens on the first Friday of the month and is a mixture of professional and private sellers. It's quite near the river and the Pont Sully which leads to the charming Île St Louis.
Jussieu Fleamarket
Held in the square at the top of Jussieu Metro station and rue des Fosses Saint-Bernard along side a modern Sourbonne University building in the 5ème, this is a professional fleamarket, although they do occasionally allow local private sellers.
It is on the first Sunday of the month.
Port Royal Fleamarket
This takes place the second Sunday of the month in 5ème along Boulevard Port Royal, about half way down, near the hospital.
This is small but a favourite fleamarket of mine and - the insider scoop here - it is one of the best places in Paris where you can be lucky and score a unicorn find at a good price!
FAQs - Here are some answers to your questions about Paris fleamarkets
Do you have a bricks and mortar shop in Paris?
No, but if there is anything you like on QuintessentiallyFrench.com I can meet you somewhere convenient in central Paris to deliver your order. I may need a week's notice to be available and have your choice of treasures with me as everything is not stored in Paris.
Should I bring cash to a fleamarket or can I use a card?
Cash always works best, a minority of sellers take cards but they usually don't like it as they have to pay card fees, at fleamarket level this is a cash in hand business. The larger antique shop style sellers at Puces d'Ouen take cards.
What time do the fleamarkets open?
There is no one answer, the sellers will generally arrive and depart as suits them, but usually the pop up fleamarkets are open from about 8/9am until about 6pm . For opening times of the weekly markets, see my blog Paris Fleamarkets Part One as they are different.
What's the best time of year to visit the fleamarkets?
Spring and Autumn is when there are more and bigger markets running.
Mid-winter (December to February) the fleamarkets are smaller and can be affected by bad weather. They are smaller over the Christmas and New Year Holidays too, as sellers spend time with their families.
Late July to the end of August the markets are smaller as many of the sellers (along with all Parisians who can) leave Paris for the country.
Are there markets Mid Week?
Occasionally there is a mid week pop up market, but not every week. There is one small fleamarket in Place d'Aligre (See Paris Fleamarkets Part One for details). This is next to a produce market, sometimes erroniously over romanticised as a Farmers' Market, it is a standard food market from wholesalers, which ordinary Parisians use to buy their daily groceries. It is a fun place to visit and I have found some lovely pieces there.
How do I ship my purchases?
If making a large or expensive purchase I feel it is reasonable to expect shipping to be arranged by the seller, at your expense, but discuss this before paying as many refuse!
Small parcel boxes with postage paid can be bought from La Poste for 50€ or 70€ depending on weight and size.
You can, of course, buy from a seller (like Quintessentiallyfrench.com ) who ships for you.
Want to know more? Let me know!
Some recent Paris favourite fleamarket finds at Quintessentially French @quintessentiallyfrench.com
Is the Port Royal flea market happening tomorrow, July 14, due to the holiday? I am visiting Paris for a few days and would love to go!