Hello, I'm traveling through the Loire and Paris (will have a car) in mid-April. We'd love to stop at estate sales and/or flea markets.
*Do estate sales exist in France? How do you find them?
*What are some flea markets you recommend in Loire?
*Paris flea markets or secondhand shops? I've heard of Marché aux Puces, but it looks overwhelming. Would love some guidance...
Thank you!
My suggestion for Paris flea markets is Vanves Flea Market: https://pucesdevanves.com/. I am assuming that when you write Marché aux Puces which just means flea market, you mean the flea market at Saint Ouen (https://www.pucesdeparissaintouen.com/en/les-puces/). You are right: it is overwhelming and by the way, not at all a place for good (low) prices. I find it to be more of a place for antique dealers looking to buy stuff for their overcharged clients. What kind of secondhand goods are you looking for?
Oh yes - my mistake. That is exactly the flea market I was talking about that just looks like a swamp of dealers. I'm looking for household goods, pottery, vases, art work, antiques. Little treasures to have at home that serve a lovely reminder of an amazing trip. My mom and I love to go thrifting. I'm not looking for a tourist trap or inflated prices. I'll look into Vanves Flea Market. Thank you!
Any idea about estate sales? I'm curious if the concept even exists in France?
Estate sales are called "Hotel des ventes" in France, and there's often one in large or medium-sized cities.
I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.
See this one, for example:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7wrPFQAa9UqRFQTX7
If that's what you're looking for, just search for "Hotel des ventes" on Google Maps.
In the countryside, there are also "vides greniers" (garage sales) organized by towns and villages. They mainly take place from April to October and are announced locally a few weeks in advance. You can find absolutely everything there, from all eras. The sellers are professionals and locals selling their belongings.
It's a one-day event, so arrive early for the best deals.
There's a website that lists upcoming garage sales, flea markets, and antique fairs, but it's only in French. The events calendar is updated regularly. See below for the Loire region:
https://vide-greniers.org/evenements/Loire
I found this video which gives a good overview of a "vide grenier":
At the Bastille Market on Sundays, there are usually tables with people secondhand items. I bought some lovely spoons there in 2023 that I use when serving coffee. The Bastille Market is located on Blvd Richard Lenoir north of the Colonne de Juliete and there are a few dealers mixed into the spots on Blvd Richard Lenoir but I noticed that there are about 10 to 12 tables on Blvd Beaumarchais and it was in that latter area that i found my spoons.
There’s an Instagram account, Kissa.Vintage.Paris, that shares weekly information on upcoming regular and pop-up flea markets in Paris. A few days before, she lists the markets for the weekend by arrondisement and includes date, time and location. Sometimes she adds what type of market ex: books, professional, antiques, etc. – which is helpful if you’re looking for something particular.
My flea market shopping style is serendipitous wanderer. I look for vintage brooches, small frames and anything miniature. I enjoy poking around and rarely spend more than 10 or 20 Euro. With my interests, some of my best luck has been at the one-off pop-up markets.
Porte de Vanves should be a good option for you. The time I was there I saw a good variety of items.
I’m going to put in a word for Puces d’Aligre. It is kind of gritty and very hit or miss but has a few things going for it. Open every day of the week but Monday, it’s in the city, not way out on the periphique. On Pl d’Aligre in the 12th arr., it’s compact and open; you can stand in one place and see every vendor. There’s a large adjacent covered food market and flower, fruit and veg vendors down the street. So that’s a bonus.
I have a France trip coming up myself mid-April to mid-May including Paris and the Loire. I’m getting excited for my flea adventures.
This website is good for vide greniers and brocantes within Paris:
Here's another good site: https://brocabrac.fr/67/strasbourg/
Marché aux Puces can be anywhere. Metz has one, so does Lyon. Those are repeating flea markets. (Both the Metz and Lyon ones are GOOD.)
This blog is pretty spot on also: https://maryannesfrance.com/things-to-do/shopping/markets/best-brocante-and-flea-market-fairs-in-france/
