Paris Flea Market Recommendations...

I started my Paris flea market experience with Vanves, which is indeed manageable and has interesting stuff. However on my upcoming trip to Paris a friend has strongly suggested I go to Marche aux Puces, for the ultimate experience, so I am going to
check it out! I think whatever one you are up for will be fine.

I went to Les Puces on my first trip to Paris (20 years ago). I did not find it overwhelming or intimidating. It's big, but you can spend as little or as much time as you like wandering the stalls. I loved it. I have not been to the other one.

I liked Vanves and got a lovely necklace that I still wear. Earlier I got a watch for 10 Euro at a Vide Grenier; these are more like real flea markets. Years ago we went to the Marche aux Puces and was turned off by the absolute trash for sale in so many of the booths -- I am sure there are values to be found but I didn't find them. There are a lot of antique and print shops deep in the complex and I assume people looking for significant purchases would find values there.

My daughter and I enjoyed the Vanves flea market. You'll probably find what you're looking for there.
We weren't looking for anything in particular, but we we had fun browsing around. We didn't really find any great bargains, though.
We also saw an antique flea market at Place Saint Sulpice, but that was in June.

Enjoy Paris!

I am not a huge fan of Marche aux Puces except for one specific shop that sells vintage posters. I am sure that there are other good shops but that is the one that I know. The walk from the metro station can be off-putting for some because there are a lot of people selling knock offs and cheap wares on the sidewalk leading to the market and some can be aggressive. Once in 2011, a seller was extremely aggressive with me and my daughter until my husband who had not realized that we had fallen behind found us and intervened. I don't like when people grab my arm when I am walking by them to get my attention and I don't like it when they don't let go when I pull away. He did not curse or hurt me or anything like that but he just would not let go of my arm as he continued his sales pitch and I was just about to really yank my arm away when my husband turned around and the look he gave the guy and his size scared the you know what out of him. If you decide to go to Marche aux Puces, my suggestion is to take bus 85 or 95. I think a lot of people (not anyone on this thread) get turned off by what I have heard called the gauntlet and may even think that is the flea market and give it a bad rap.

Brocantes are a good idea - mostly professionals, but lots of stuff to paw through. Very few will bargain.
Vides-greniers are mostly junk that people want to get rid of, and probably not worth seeking out.
If you happen to find a Brocante while you're in town - stretching many blocks along a boulevard - you'll have an enjoyable experience.
Here is a list of Brocantes and Vides-greniers during the month of March:
https://vide-greniers.org/Ile-de-France/mars

It helps to have a general idea of where you will find what you are looking for when you go to Marche aux Puces. Bring cash, hide it securely, and try to bargain. Note that Monday is generally reserved for professionals and not too many stalls are open to the public.
Here's the website for Marches aux Puces:
http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx

PS - I also recommend taking the Bus, which will let you off in the middle of the market, thus avoiding any unpleasantness.

We love Porte de Vanves flea market... On Saturday and Sunday. Go early. We go around 8. It takes a while to get there on the metro..it closes up about noon . Many people go in the afternoon and there is not much there. It is much bigger than it used to be and gets very crowded. We take the metro to Vanves. When you come up from the metro cross the street and turn right It is about a block down. There used to be a very nice little cafe right where you cross the street from the metro. My husband takes much longer to look around and I often meet him there.I sit outside and have a coffee and pastry and look at my purchases . I collect hand tinted postcards and always find many to buy... If I buy a lot I can usually get a good discount. My husband collects cameras and other photographica and has purchased many interesting things there. The big flea market is wonderful, also; but as others have said it is rather daunting to get to. We have found some wonderful things there also but go on the Opposite Day than Vanves... Too much for one day.

The watch I got at the vide grenier for 10 Euros has worked perfectly now for 5 years and is a beautiful art deco design --it is roughly 40 years old. The necklace I got at the same vide grenier is a classic old bakelite also deco looking thing which I have never seen another like. It always gets compliments as it is so unique. So yeah -- nothing of value there.

Another hearty recommendation for Vanves...I visited last May and made a point to be in Paris on a Saturday with plans to visit both flea markets, but the day before came down with a cold and decided to just do Vanves and use what energy I had left on my last day visiting other last-minute sites. Vanves was easy to get to, just the right size--I spent about 2 hours or so--nice array of exactly the kinds of vintage things I like and with decent prices and sellers who didn't mind a bit of bargaining. I'm also into textile arts and was thrilled to find a booth chock full of vintage trims, buttons and other sewing items. Some charming old buttons for a sweater I just finished knitting came home with me, also some santons, a silver ring and a 1910 etched wood watch case from Fontainebleu.