Paris flea market suggestions

coworker and I took the metro just outside of Paris borders to a
massive flea market that was suggested by our hotel. It had exactly
the type of items I wished to avoid listed above. I only wish I could
remember the name and location, but I don't.

It is certainly the flea market of Saint Ouen (Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen) , north of Paris.
It is the largest with around 3000 antique and second-hand dealers

https://www.pucesdeparissaintouen.com/en/

https://goo.gl/maps/8DbdK187UUMfe56z9

None of the markets you mention really have the items you want to get. Perhaps and most likely you went to Marche Puces Saint Ouen It is located a short walk after the north end of Metro Line 4. It is the Paris flea market that I think is most likely to have been suggested by a hotel and it is huge. I think it is a better experience if you have professional designer along with you who knows the best spots and the best prices. It used to be a great place for interesting items at a good price but those days are long gone. Also the walk from the metro station is not the best experience. Or perhaps you went to Vanves, It is on the opposite side of Paris, a short walk from the Porte de Vanves Metro stop and not quite as big.

You probably went to St. Ouen which has everything you are talking about, but you probably wandered around the crap that rings it -- you have to get into the heart of the market. I had the same misapprehension the first time i visited it. We have gone many times since and have gotten some lovely glassware. This is really where you should go and if it was the place you went before -- well look at some maps of the layout and get into the central allies with stalls to see glasswear, jewelry, odds architectural fittings etc. There are also sections with serious antiques including the silver art deco ice bucket of my dreams -- alas several hundred Euros.

Vanves is smaller but also the real deal. It is on the south side near the Vanves metro stop -- A good place to get prints from books e.g. illustrations of flowers or wildlife and a variety of other items. I once got a really beautiful necklace there and have gotten small items like a little frog pin for my granddaughter.

Enfants Rouges is a food court -- worth a visit but not the kind of market you are interested in.

Aligre is mostly food with some tat around the edges not IMHO good quality. Food shops good but the clothing and junk stalls less so.

the Bastille is food except one day (Sat or Sun can't remember which) when it is mostly really awful art. We have gone ready to spend and never found anything to take home.

There are also Vide Grenier or street markets like garage sales which spring up from time to time -- you will see flyers. I got a set of lovely champagne flutes at a Vide Grenier in Batignolles this fall. I paid 15 Euro for 4 lovely crystal flutes with gold rims. It cost me more for the plastic kitchen storage boxes I used to take them safely home in my luggage. On another occasion I bought an old art deco looking watch from when watches first had batteries. Paid 10 Euro about 15 years ago and then put a battery in it and it has run ever since; I always get compliments on it.

I like to go the the flea market at Vanves. It’s a manageable size and a nice place to wander for a few hours.

So I expect you stopped too soon at the the "massive" flea market.

You must walk past all the trash

https://www.pucesdeparissaintouen.com/

This one once you get past the trash has numerous "markets" and some of them are indoors.

I'd suggest looking through their website for the market info to see if they have what you need.

Also, if you take the bus to the market it can drop you off in the middle of the good stuff and skip the trash.

The walk from the metro to the Saint-Ouen market is not a great experience during the best of times. I had an especially disturbing experience during my first trip to the market during that walk and it turned me completely off the market before I even got there. I only tried again because a designer friend took me with him and we took the bus. I think taking the bus is absolutely worth it. These days, bus route 85 takes you into the market. You can catch it at Porte de Clgnancourt, the last stop on line 4 but don't forget that transfers between the metro and buses are not free and require a second fare. Depending on where you are staying in Paris, you may be near a stop on line 85. When I took the bus, I don't think it was not number 85 and there was a stop near my accommodations.

I just take the 4 to Clingencourt and walk into the market and have never found it unpleasant -- it is seedy, but no one, alone or with another women, has bothered us. But if the bus gets you to the center that sounds good. The regular and good shops are in the center and there are lots of them. Whole streets of antique silver, buildings filled with antiques, art and rugs, lots of small shops like a shanty town with a variety of goods including lots of pottery and glassware.

I love Vanves but the last few times I went there I found nothing -- nice walk in the area. More of a garage sale feel to it than St. Ouen with its little shops. St. Ouen will offer the best variety.

Thank you so much everyone for the very specific advice I was seeking! After reading your posts, I believe it was indeed St. Ouens market we visited- but perhaps only on the outer rings. We had a hard time even finding it- we stopped in a cafe outside the Metro stations and asked for directions. It was unpleasant at the time, but I’m thinking we may try the bus to the center of the market this time. It sounds amazing! Thank you for the advice. We are only bringing carryons- we have a whirlwind trip in many cities this time- however… we would love to scour the flea market for something small and memorable. I love things in my house that bring back special memories so hopefully will find a “find”. Thank you so much for your advice- and if anyone else has more to add- please feel free!
Best Regards- Lisa
PS - wish all of you that responded could join us in our flea market scavenge hunt! 😊

Also- thank you for the St Ouen website links. Extremely helpful!
We may visit Vanves as a credible substitute with not much time to spare as we will be doing a busy schedule.
Thanks again!

The Aligre market's old stuff is more junque than antique. However, on its edge, the tiny wine bar Baron Rouge is crowded with locals and a great place for lunch. In the old French manner it closes in mid-afternoon for the staff's own meal.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Le+march%C3%A9+couvert+Beauvau/@48.8491607,2.3758767,17z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1smarche+aligre+paris+france!3m5!1s0x47e6720f65e99dc5:0x77b1d937943503e6!8m2!3d48.8492314!4d2.3779068!15sChptYXJjaGUgYWxpZ3JlIHBhcmlzIGZyYW5jZVocIhptYXJjaGUgYWxpZ3JlIHBhcmlzIGZyYW5jZZIBBm1hcmtldOABAA

Sounds yum! Thank you. I will put that in my notes. These are the things that make travel time very special and it’s better to hear from recent travelers than a guide book. Thanks!

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/a39006264/paris-flea-market-guide/