How to find a local "flea market" in a Paris neighborhood

We have usually found signs on poles that announce them.

You could visit this website, which has links for searching for ephemeral markets, as well as more established places. There's even an iPhone app for Brocabrac, which lists brocantes and vide-greniers.

FWIW. I have been to many of these and they rarely appear to be actual local 'garage sale' type things but to house pros vending absolute trash -- or sometimes rarely treasures. I did once get a lovely art deco design watch at a vide grenier, but the last few I have browsed were really junk. I have found the occasional treasure at the Vanves regular flea market. It has the advantage of being medium sized and less overwhelming than the large ones on the northwest side of town.

That's what a vide grenier is supposed to be: people clearing out (vider) the attic (grenier), but often also sheds, garages, etc. You can find almost anything at them, including a lot of junk. But you can find some nice things at them as well.

If one is of such a mind, that's what can make them a nice diversion -- it's a little like a treasure hunt. There are some pros or semi-pros who go around from vide grenier to vide grenier, but there usually are a lot of individuals selling too; speaking generally and not specifically of Paris. Frankly, a vide grenier in a small town or rural area probably would be better than those in larger cities.

If one wants a more professionally run and slightly more curated selection, look for a marché puce (flea market) or brocante (second- [or third-, or fourth-] hand shop).

I enjoyed the browsing and purchasing (for us, only small & easy-to-tote pieces tho we looked longingly at housewares and bulkier items available) we did at Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves (Sa-Su 07:00-13:00) in the 14th. Lots of online information about this particular flea market, TA reviews, blogs, etc. Enjoy your search and bon marché.

The small Place d'Aligre flea market in the 12th rubs tattered elbows with both covered and street food shops. Those are open daily except Mondays; the outdoor shops fold up at mid-day. The rummage is spread across the square itself but I don't know what days. To my untutored eye, it would be generous to rate the offerings as "junque". The Baron Rouge, a tiny and robustly neighbourhood wine bar, is worth a (long) visit itself. lebaronrouge.net

I'm a fellow Junker. Watch a BBB one series: "Put your money where your mouth is". It is about 2 competing dealers, different ones in each season, who shop different venues to get the best deals that they can then turnover to get the best returns. They did go to Paris Markets. A lot of the main Flea Markets are in established built-in stalls along narrow streets. Most of the pop-ups were near the river or by parks or cul de sacs. The prices were not cheap, even to Brits. Another friend of mine likes the little out of the way established shops off the tourist trail and often finds unique things if not true antiques; at reasonable prices. It rains 50% of the month of April in Paris. Bon Chance!

We stay now in the 13th and there was one last time on a little square near the center of the Butte Aux Cailles. I would guess that virtually all of those showing things were 'pros' that hall their trash from vide grenier to vide grenier. e.g. a book seller, a vinyl record stand, table ware, old clothes. It did not have the feel to me of a local with a handful of things from the attic. I am not a genius at spotting treasures and I sure didn't spot any on a couple of passes through.