Tips about Paris flea markets from David Lebovitz

Thanks Mardee.

I won't be able to go for at least a couple of years. Do you have any idea how often the markets change? I would expect the smaller ones would be the most ephemeral and the largest the most chance of still being there when I get there.

I remember seeing what looked to be a flea market type thing in that old black and white movie "Paris Blues" with Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier. Doubt if that one is still in Paris. If it wasn't a prop for the movie.

Wikipedia: Paris Blues

Robert, I really don't know. I do know that Clignancourt has been there for a long time as I went there back in 1999. But as you said, I'm sure some of the smaller ones are pretty portable from what I've read. That said, many of them aren't, including the thrift stores. I'm planning on bookmarking it and saving it for the trip after this upcoming one (where I will only have 2 1/2 days there).

I will say that David Lebovitz updates his articles from time to time, so if you do go back it would be worth re-reading.

Excellent article---I would love a return to Paris for more vintage shopping...I went to the market at Porte des Vanves in 2016--my last day in Paris, and I had caught a cold and wasn't quite up to finding Clignancourt and spending hours there, so it was a great option for me to assuage my need to poke around stalls full of delightful old foreign goodies. Nothing other than antiques/collectibles, a few stalls of "fancy" items but mainly exactly what I love and call funky vintage stuff. I came away with a silver ring, a few cards of 1930s buttons and some trims, a few santons de Provence and a lovely 1910 carved wooden souvenir pocket watch holder from Fontainebleau.

"...the smaller ones are pretty portable from what I've read."

Yes. I was surprised, from his article, about the semi-professional people who set up floating markets that change location time to time and you have to look-up where they're going to be. And those are what people sell into, collectively, since things like "Garage sales" are illegal in Paris.

I hope to look in on his website as I get closer to going. Just don't know if it'll still be there then. :)

christa, that sounds like a fun haul! I like that funky vintage stuff, too. :-)

I have found some good things at both Vanves and St. Ouen but my best finds have been at the occasional street garage sale type things called Vide Grenier --- lots of crap but the occasional treasure. my favorite watch was 10 Euro and runs perfectly -- one of the first electric watches in a sort of art deco design. Last year I got 4 very pretty champagne flutes in a wavy glass and gold rim for 15 Euro -- the plastic kitchen storage boxes I used to protect them in my luggage to get them home cost more.

Oh, all these buys just make me want to scour Paris for sales!

Brocante can be found most everywhere and especially in the summer. A recent overnight trip to Riems had me taking the back roads home on Sunday when I ran into a large one in Grandpre, which is a small village. The whole town was turned into a flea market. I found a couple of things, including a 40 lb Leg Vice, and it made a great diversion on the drive.

This weekend I'm headed to one in Metz, because it's early (opens at 0700) and then I'll drive part of the Maginot Line and do some shopping on the way home.

Here's a good link for those who are interested: https://www.brocmania.fr/brocante/grand-est