Paris Fleamarket Insider Information - You need to know this!
- Helen@Quintessentially
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Visiting Paris and want to experience the thrill of treasure hunting at the Parisian fleamarkets yourself? Fleamarkets in a new city can seem daunting, but shopping at the fleamarkets in Paris can be a wonderful experience. I'm Helen and I'm based in Paris, I have an online antiques buisness and am here to give you the insider knowledge you need to avoid the mistakes some people make at the Paris fleamarkets.
Make sure you are subscribed to keep up to date with the information in my blogs and newsletters, as well as my latest antique finds for sale. I also take you with me to the fleamarkers virtually on my Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channel.
Below is the huge and fabulous Chatou Antique Fair held twice a year, I cover this market in a separate post and the dates are published in my subscriber's newsletter.
First of all there is more than one fleamarket. Les marchés aux puces de Saint Ouen is often seen as THE Paris fleamarket, but there are so many more. I will talk you through the permanent, monthly and pop up fleamarkets that make up the Paris vintage and antique scene.
The Regular Weekly Paris Fleamarkets
I have already mentioned the Puces de Saint Ouen. It's a vast collection of different markets, each with their own character. I have individual blogs about some of them which give more in-depth information about visiting and what to expect.
It is often criticised for the high prices, but that is a sweeping judgement. You are paying the sellers to do the hard work of searching for something special for you.
Furthermore, many of the stallholders are experts and have magnificent collections which have required a lot of time and knoweldge to curate, others have top quality antiques with the pricetag to match. But I must admit some just feel high, however it is a more expensive place to operate and their overheads are substantial. If you want something special and are prepared to pay for it then this is a good place to look.
Due to its location on the outskirts of Paris, there are some basic safety precautions to be aware of, particularly if arriving by Metro. Once in the Rue des Rosiers and the markets themselves it is relatively safe with the usual common sense precautions. If going alone, I take the bus which drops you right in the middle of the markets.
To summarise, it is inspirational, vast and has some wonderful treasures both in variety and quality. But don't expect it to be cheap, especially as it is increasingly a tourist destination.
This market is open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm although these hours can vary stall to stall. It is advertised as open Mondays but not all vendors are there.
Then there is Porte de Vanves fleamarket, a popular destination for many visitors to Paris, partially because it is smaller . It is becoming a busy tourist destination, this has changed the atmosphere somewhat and raised the prices. It is still possible to find reasonably priced, good quality antiques among the rather ordinary, I have bought some wonderful treasures here.
There remain many really good sellers, with knowledge and integrity; although there are others that are not knowledgeable about antiques or so scrupulous. A good motto is caveat emptor.
I often swap Vanves out of my itinery in the main tourist season for the pop up markets that are held all over Paris, as that is where the rare finds are to be unearthed, if you are lucky, and Lady Luck smiles on those who work hard at fleamarketing!
Pro tip: The Colombian café at the end of Porte de Vanves does really good coffee as you would expect and great empanadas. It’s bustling and full of dealers comparing finds!
This fleamarket is open Saturday and Sunday mornings.
I'm often asked about mid-week markets, which is where the small Place d'Aligre fleamarket comes into its own. It runs Tuesday to Sunday mornings. There is a produce market alongside and several good cafés so it makes a pleasant way to spend a morning. There is a range of stalls from cheap and junky, with maybe treasure to unearth; stalls with some overpriced touristy trinkets; to some great antiques from lovely sellers. I’ve bought some great pieces here on occaision but, have also come away empty handed.
Brassens Book Market, Rue Brancion - If you love second hand, collectible and antique books, this is a great place to visit, and it’s walkable from Vanves. This also takes place on Saturday and Sunday, just don't arrive too early!
Puces de Montreuil: This is a market I would never recommend for safety reasons, I don't think I said that plainly enough last time and I have had several messages from people who went and felt unsafe.
It does have some antique stalls at the far end and some great street food, just be sensible about you personal safety if you go and look after your belongings.
The Markets' calendar
These fleamarkets run all year round but tend to be smaller in August and from Christmas - Early January
Pop up Fleamarkets
These are the fleamarkets held in the streets and squares of Paris. There are two sorts:
Vide Greniers, which are where local people sell their own unwanted goods, these can have great vintage and antique treasures, but you have to seek them out from among the baby clothes and more modern items. There are often professional sellers at these markets too, so it is difficult to be precise about the exact nature, or indeed size of a fleamarket before you actually visit.
Sometimes the least promising market can have the best treasures, you just have to hunt harder and may not be able to buy in volume. Paris isn't about filling a big cart as much as searching out special treasures; and there are indeed, wonderful treasures to find.
There are also professional pop up 'brocante' markets which vary in quality, the only way to find treasure is to visit a lot of markets. One great find is all it needs for a great day!
Pop up markets vary in size, all have a selection of most types of vintage and antiques; from clothes, jewellery and fabrics to ironstone, glass, books and art. Some are held regularly, usually twice a year, and attract sellers from further afield. The above market at Place de Vosges and the Brocante at Rue de Bretagne are two of the most famous along with Saint Suplice bi-annual ten day antique fair. Even these prominent markets can vary in size and quality.
The dates for these can vary year to year and are often not confirmed (and therefore published) far in advance.
Often the publicity for antique events in France and even in Paris is not communicated effectively, so I listen out for the latest information for you and publish it in my email newsletter!
Markets can be cancelled at short or no notice and they can set up at locations a short distance from the declared site, so always have a look around the area published if you can’t find it straight away.
Want to know the latest Paris fleamarket information?
To find out the pop up locations, just follow my Instagram and Facebook stories where I publish the most up to date information.
Some of these markets are monthly; Port-Royal (second weekend of the month, usually), Jussieu (first weekend of the month) and Bourse (first Thursday in the month, usually) for example. However if visiting for one of these markets these dates can change, so I post these to my stories too.
Fleamarket FAQs
How do I get to the fleamarkets?
Paris is a small city, you can walk to a local market or ride the Metro, it is cheap and safe.
Don't make the mistake of driving, it is very difficult to park. If you buy too much (a common problem!) then just jump into a taxi.
What do I need to take?
A strong tote bag and some wrapping to protect your delicate finds. The type of bag you find in a French supermarket is the perfect size. And don't forget a sense of humour, it helps!
Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes, as you will probably walk further than you think. There are generally cafés around the fleamarkets as they are held in local neighbourhoods, so you can stop often.
Cash or cards?
Most sellers prefer cash and few take cards.
Make sure that you keep your money and valuables zipped and be aware, just as at any crowded event in a big city.
Can I negotiotiate the price?
Yes, but don't make too low an offer or the seller could feel insulted. The professional sellers pay a lot of tax and this is their occupation, how they put food on the table. If you can’t agree the price, just thank them and walk away.
I don't speak French
Most sellers do speak English to a greater of lesser extent, but do learn some basics. Always greet a seller with "Bonjour" and thank them, "Merci beaucoup" and wish them a good day, "Bonne journée".
What if I can’t make it to Paris?
If visiting Paris remains a dream, you can still shop the treasures of the Paris fleamarkets, I send my carefully curated collection of French treasures worldwide, just head over to the shop section of the Quintessentially French website, you can follow the link below.
And of course, if you want to be among the first to know when the new collections are live, subscribe to my email newsletter here.
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