Paris is as old as time and no wonder that it has so many antiques. Parisians know how to appreciate history both on a national scale and in tiny things. If antiques are also pleasing your eye, then you can bring a special souvenir from Paris. In this article, we have collected the famous flea markets in Paris and the suburbs, where they sell antiques, porcelain, art, vintage jewelry, clothes and much more all year round. You can book a guided tour at this link.
Marché Saint-Ouen
How to get there
Metro Porte de Clignancourt (line 4). Exit from the metro with the sign «Marché de puces».
Working hours
Open only 3 days a week: Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
More information on the official website
Book a tour
This famous flea market, although called Parisian, is located in the nearest suburb of the capital, in the town of Saint-Ouen. And this location is first of all connected with its history, which goes back centuries.
Before the so-called «scavengers» roamed the streets of the city and collected discarded things that could still be useful for a modest lifestyle. They resold those belongings in the markets of Paris in the Les Halles area. Later, the «scavengers» were expelled from the center of Paris and settled at the gates of Montreuil and Clignancourt. Some of them who did not give up their business, then became antique dealers!
Today, the Saint-Ouen flea market is the largest permanent market in France and one of the largest in Europe.
Now it is not just a square with «scavengers», but several flea and antique markets. Le Pus de Saint-Ouen (which is the full name of the complex) has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Île-de-France (Paris region). This is a real paradise for connoisseurs of antiquity.
Jewelry, clothing, leather goods, home furnishings, books and so much more. You can find anything here. They sell paintings, old records (cassettes, wax), key rings, stuffed animals (even a giraffe was sold here) and furniture.
If you think that as before, only those who want to find something cheaper come to the flea market, you are wrong. Real antiques are more expensive than new items, and you can even meet rich people and celebrities in such places.
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Tips for the visitors:
- Market area is 7 hectares! Get ready to come here and leave only in the evening. And why not? Since here you can find everything not to feel hungry or cold.
- Come early a bit before opening. By the middle of the day, the shopping streets can become crowded. About 100 thousand people visit the flea market every working day.
- Vintage is things older than 25 years, antiques are more than 50.
- Be careful with your wallets and documents. With such a crowd of people, it is very easy to lose both.
- Flea markets also have a sales season, just like in regular stores!
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Biron
Address
85 Rue des Rosiers, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, France
Official website: marchebiron.com
Working hours
Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Book a tour
You can book a tour at this link.
Some parts of the Saint-Ouen market have their own names. Biron is one of the most prestigious art markets in the whole of France. Here you will find antique furniture, paintings and drawings that are several centuries old! All art lovers must visit this place.
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Cambo
Address
75 Rue des Rosiers, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, France
Working hours
Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Monday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Book a tour
In this part of Saint-Ouen, only the best antiques are collected. Here you can find furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, ancient musical instruments, textiles, regional objects and art objects.
Marché de Vanves
How to get there
Metro Porte de Vanves (line 13). Then walk along Avenue Georges Lefevre for about 5 minutes and voila, here you are!
Working hours
Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. till 2 p.m.
This market is the second largest after Marché Saint-Ouen. Here you will find mostly small antiques. A big advantage is that there are fewer tourists, this is a kind of a «clubby» market.
Feel free to lower the price. The market is located in the open air, and no one wants to damage the old fragile things.
We advise you to arrive early, some stalls close earlier, by noon.
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Marche de Montreuil
How to get there
Metro Porte de Montreuil (line 9).
Working hours
Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. till 7:30 p.m.
If you are an inveterate fashionista, then it’s definitely your place! Here you can find good quality secondhand, designer clothing brands, vintage jewelry, furniture and everything for the home. Low prices will put a smile on your face.
Mobile flea markets in Paris
Do not forget about markets without a permanent venue. They travel all over Paris and win the hearts of residents of different areas and casual tourists.
To catch a mobile market, you can visit spam.fr and find out the upcoming dates, addresses and additional information.
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Several small themed markets
Small flea markets of Paris are not so famous, however that’s why they are so valuable. They are open on weekends from morning to afternoon.
Stamp and postcard market — Avenue Gabriel, 8th district.
Flea market «Puces d’Aligre» — Place d’Aligre, 12th district.
Flea market «Daumesnil» — Avenue Daumesnil, 12th district.
Antique market «Avenue du Maine» — Avenue du Maine, 14th district.
Professional antique market — Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, 13th district.
Market of ancient books — Rue Brancion, 15th district.
Flea market on Charles Michels square, 15th district.
On the Abbesses metro in Montmartre there are even more spontaneous sales of old things happening. As well as on Montparnasse Boulevard, and on Voltaire Boulevard.
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A few more tips for flea markets lovers
- Do not offend sellers and bargain politely. That’s why flea markets actually exist. The bargaining process itself is communication and entertainment.
- Make sure to keep money and documents in your inner pockets, and it is better to leave valuables at home.
- Many stalls accept credit cards, but having cash is always handy.
- Casual clothes are your best friends. Try to dress up according to the situation. Areas where regular flea markets are held are not really prosperous, so you should not attract much attention with full dress.
To navigate the city easier, we have added the most famous markets to the map. Or you can download a travel guide app that also works offline.
Enjoy your trip to the world of old beautiful thingies!
Jeremy Bezanger / Unsplash 
Daxis / Flickr / CC-BY-ND 2.0 
comiviajeros / pixabay.com
Clement Souchet / unsplash.com
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