Flea Markets in Paris That You Shouldn't Miss

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Do you like flea markets, like I do? If you are reading this article, I think the answer is yes. Going to Paris, be sure to find some time to go to a flea market. I can assure you that you won’t leave with empty hands, as well as will find some inspiration, aesthetic pleasure, knowledge and get some unique gifts!

Paris flea markets will surprise both the beginner and the experienced connoisseur.

Flea Market Buying Rules

It’s great to walk around gilded antique boutiques like museums: beautiful, shiny, expensive. But much cooler and fun, is to be like an archaeologist: rummage through heaps of dusty trash in search of something, you do not know really what. And then find it, be excited (but never show it) and without interest on your face ask the seller for a price, then bargain, bargain again, and finally buy. That’s the real adventure!

I think the best time of the year to visit flea markets in Paris is late fall. There are not so many tourists around, you can take all your time to carefully examine each item you like, and the sellers are much more pliable in terms of discounts.

Here is the list of the best flea markets in Paris, take a note and make sure you visit them during your next stay in this marvellous city.

Marché Saint-Ouen

This is the largest flea market in Paris and probably In Europe as well. Saint-Ouen flea market was named after the nearest metro station.

Saint-Ouen is a quarter that spans along Rosier Street. This is 7 hectares of the happiness area, absorbing about 20 individual flea markets. But due to the close location it is impossible to determine where the beginning and the end of each. You can find here porcelain, antiques, designer items, home decoration, music, ethnic items, vintage clothing and much, much more.

I will not list all of them, because anyway you cannot avoid the temptation to go into each and every shop.

Saint-Ouen is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. By the way, Parisian brokers are late birds, so by this time you can catch up. Often on forums it is advised to arrive early, otherwise they say that all valuable stuff will be bought up.

Here you will also find cafes with unique vintage atmosphere and live music. Overall the places are very touristic, so don’t expect good food here, mainly people come here to enjoy authentic French ambience.

Be careful with your belongings in the crowded areas: bear in mind that flea markets are loved by thieves.

Marché de Vanves

The second market is smaller, but also quite big: Marché de Vanves. This market, in contrast to the previous one, begins its work early: by noon, everyone is gone. Vanves Market is located on two adjacent streets. It specializes more in fine antiques.

Here the flow of tourists is less. Feel free to bring down prices, especially at the end of the day, because unlike Saint-Ouen, Vanves is located in the open air, which means that sellers want to get rid of the fragile heavy load.

The market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 2pm.

Marche de Montreuil

This market is popular for its low prices and high-quality second-hand (including well-known designer brands). There is also furniture, household utensils, home furnishings, vintage jewelry and other goods from the regular flea market.

Open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 7 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., here you will find anything. Favorite place for French walks.

Bastille and Edgar Quinet Markets

Here you can get acquainted with the work of artists, engravers, sculptors, photographers, and buy them at reasonable prices. Located in Bastille Market, Boulevard Richard Lenoir.

Nomadic markets

And finally, about the so-called “nomadic” markets, since they do not have a permanent place of settlement. Today it is located on Grand Boulevard, and the next Saturday lit up on Boulevard Des Capucines.

To find out plans for market migration, just visit the sites: spam.fr (only in Paris) and vide-greniers.org (all France). Here you will find the dates, addresses, the number of sellers. By the way, markets are thematic, so in order not to get to the ball of a French book or philatelists, pay attention to the word brocante (flea market) – this is a flea market in general.