Flea Market In Paris

Go to the flea markets. Just keep cash underwraps ansd secured and keep a bit 20-30Euro in your shirt pocket for small purchases. I have been to the flea markets 4 times and will go again. Wife loves to buy clothes there.

There are two big ones: St Ouen one the north side and Montreuil to the east. Neither are seedy or unsafe.

I find them a bore, but Herself likes them; I find a place to have coffee or beer, she wanders alone for hours.

I don't worry about her.

Go have fun.

Never been to LA but my guess is that the flea market is much less seedy than what you are used to seedy being. We walked under the ring road and to the flea market - it's not a charming area but it is really neat when you go through the door into the flea market - like it's own little self contained world. DON'T be freaked out - I was there with my 8 year old, we had a blast. I think you are more likely to find pickpockets on the metro or near tourist areas ... then again, don't even worry about pickpockets - just be smart and keep your wallet secure.

The two flea markets (St. Ouen & Montreuil) sound like they would be a lot of fun. What days are they open, and how would I get there from the Arc de Triumph?

The brocante or flea markets are great .Many of the Parisians prefer the market at Porte de Vanves. It is fantastic. Open Saturday morning and Sunday morning... metro Porte de Vanves. It is easy to get to ... large ,but not as huge as St, Ouen.You can find everything from old French bottles, jewelry, handcolored postcards,dishes, books,clothes,paintings... everything French.

Both are Sat, Sun, Mon.

For St Ouen:
Metro 1 to the mess of tunnels at Chatelet, then Metro 4 to Clignantcourt, then walk.

or

Metro 1 to Champs Elysees, then Metro 13 to Pte St Ouen, then walk.

For Montreuil
Metro 1 to FDR, then Metro 9 to Pte de Montreuil, then walk.

Here's some more scoop:http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Shopping/Paris_fleamkts2.shtml#

The marche au puces at St. Ouen is open Sat-Mon (Sat and Sun are the best days) from 930 am to 6 pm....go early.,....and watch for pick-pockets, including on the Metro.
From the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile metro stop (the location of the Arc de Triomphe,) take the number 2 line (direction "Nation") to Barbes/Rochechouart, then pick up the number 4 line (direction "Porte de Clignantcourt") to the end. You'll head north along Ave. Michelet, under the Peripherique (the Paris ring road) and it'll be spread out ahead and to your left.
If you're looking for fresh produce, there's usually a street-side market in the same area on weekends. As you head out of the Metro station, you'll cross Boul. Ney....look to the left to see if the stands are up and running. They usually wrap up by about 2 pm, and if you catch them near closing, you'll get some good deals on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Know that the real flea market at Saint Ouen begins a block to the left from the main street from the Clingancourt Metro station. You'll see a bunch of cheap clothes and posters for sale first. You want to head left from there.

You'll also find flea market vendors ahead of you when you cross under the Perpherique, north along Ave. Michelet. On nice days, you'll find them lining both sides of the street. The "flea market" stalls spread out in a backwards "L" from Ave. Michelet and the Peripherique....inside the angle of the ""L are the permanent market vendors, selling everything from gorgeous antique furniture to junky old toys.
You'll also see an area of clothing vendors on the left, just before you come to the Peripherique overpass itself.

There is a man who lives in Paris who from time to time posts photos with commentary on various neighborhoods in Paris. By coincidence he recently did that for the Saint Ouen flea market. See here.

Thanks for that link Tim. It was fantastic seeing all those pictures. I went to a much smaller flea market (Vanves?) when I was in Paris last year. I really wanted to go to the one pictured, but it was SO COLD! Next time...

Lisa, don't let your fears keep you from going. Just be careful with your belongings.

Unfortunately, we are in Paris Tuesday through Friday -- is there a similar market open those days? We've already been to the one near Luxembourg Gardens. Any other favorites?

Lauren, look at the reference I stuck up a bit higher. A couple of those are open while you're there.

Perfect -- sorry I missed it the first time. Thanks, Ed!

Thanks Ed and Tim for those links, really helpful.

For anyone that's been to the Vanves flea market, is it relatively small and easy to walk around for someone with limited mobility?

I've been to the St. Ouen flea market many times in the past, but can't walk that much anymore...

Thank you so much everyone! I have added the flea market to my itinerary!. big thanks to Tim for the link of pictures. It is as I thought. Not even close to the "seediness" that I can see right in Los Angeles!!