Bringing Paris Home... Tip #5 ~ Shopping the Big Markets

Now that you know how to locate the neighborhood markets that pop up all over France, let's take a look at the permanent markets in Paris......

Let me introduce you to my very favorite market.....Porte de Vanves!!!!

Vanves is held every single Saturday and Sunday of the year! Including Holidays! Rain or shine or snow!!!
The Market covers the wide sidewalks of 2 long streets in the southern area of Paris. Take Line  13, METRO Porte de Vanves. Exit Blvd. Brune and follow your map around the corner to Ave. Marc Sangnier.

Generally speaking, it is open 7am - 1pm. But the French dealers being their charming selves, can sometimes not arrive and set up until 8am. As you can tell by the photos it is all outdoor market, so dress according to the weather as you will probably be there at least  2 hours...maybe more! Wear comfortable shoes too as you will be on concrete sidewalks...and for goodness sake, leave your diamonds, furs and expensive clothing at home or at least in the hotel safe. You can still look nice and practical while not screaming " I am a rich American!".

There should be on any given weekend 200-380 dealers. everything imaginable will be offered.....linens, furniture, paintings, clothing, and lots and lots of carvings, silver, bronzes, etc etc.

I often see dealers from other markets and shops buying there first thing in the morning.

Prices tend to be still on the good side ( don't forget your manners and bargain!) and you can easily walk away with sacks full of bargains!

I bring several sturdy nylon tote bags as well as some bubble wrap and a rolling cart. I like being prepared and not breaking my back! There is only one public toilet there so keep that in mind. There will be a coffee stand at the corner if you need to clear away the cobwebs...and bring a bottle of water too!

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If you end up buying so much that you can't carry, there are taxis usually nearby to take you back to your hotel. If you decide to buy furniture, I'll cover shipping it back in another TIP.

So until next time...have fun!  Any questions???Just ask!

Bringing Paris Home ~ Tip #4

Bringing Paris Home ~ Tip Number 4
     FINDING THE MARKETS

My Two Antique/ Flea Market Bibles I cannot live without!

Aladin & Antiquites Brocante are published every 6 weeks and list by district (Paris is #75) all the antique markets and flea markets including the neighborhood vide-grenier (attic sale) for the entire country!
Buy these 2 mags as soon as you arrive! Plot out your plan of attack. For instance: if looking for a market in Paris, It will tell you the Time, Street and even the closest Metro Stop near the market.  There is also a telephone number you can call to make sure the market hasn't been cancelled before you make an across the city trek.

Once back home, don't throw away the magazines.....hunt through them for websites offered by organizations who put on some of these shows for your next trips schedule!

more next week........

Shopping in Paris....Tip #3

Currency Exchange!

Unless you need Euros for more than a taxi ride and perhaps some spending money the first day,
don't exchange your money before you leave the States. Their fees or commission can reek havoc on your Dollar to Euro ratio, so wait til you get to Paris.

By far, the best rates you will get is to use the ATMs !!! I start with the ATM at the airport or near my hotel as soon as I arrive.
Check with your banks before you leave about the maximum amount you can withdraw from your account each day....perhaps they can raise the limit for a certain number of days you'll be away.

Did you know that most American banks have both a limit per withdrawal and a limit per day? (usually double the limit amount of per withdrawal) so you can withdraw your limit at one minute and turn right around and withdraw another limit per withdrawal up to the daily limit. (IE: $300 per visit to the ATM, but a $600 daily limit, depending on the bank).  I make sure I spread my shopping dollars out among 3 ATM cards, so I can get at least the maximum limit per day from each account!

The daily flux of the currency exchange rate will probably not be of any concern to you while you are there unless you expect to be spending thousands of Dollars/Euros.

But do as a friend of mine does, and yourself a CHEAT SHEET and keep it in your pocket!
It should look something like this.....

                                                             10 Euros = $13
                                                             20 Euros = $26
                                                             25 Euros = $32.50.......etc etc!

The last thing you need is to try to do the math in your head while you are suffering from a 6 hour time change and jet lag!!!! LOL !!!!

More next week, Merci! Lee

 

Know the Numbers! Shopping in Paris Tip #2

Tip #2 is about numbers!
When shopping in Paris or any country that you are not fluent in their language, I highly recommend that you at least learn the numbers...ie 1-10, and then the larger numbers such as 20, 25,30,35 and so on. Practice as much as you can.
There's always the chance that you still won't be able to bargain, but do what I always do....carry a calculator, a note pad and pencil, or at the very least a cell phone. So if you don't understand the price, hand them the calculator or a notepad...they know what you need to do. Remember the smile, and if you want to offer another lower price, write it down and hand it to them with a question mark on your face.

***  A note about bargaining..... never offer less than 20% off the original asking price!!! If you do, you have just unspokenly told them that their time, transportation (truck and gas) and their expertise are of no value! It is an insult. I've had it happen to me and that ends all negotiations. Be respectful. If their last price is not within your budget, say Merci and walk away. There will be about a 50% chance that once you start to walk away, they will say ok to your reasonable offer.

If you are able to communicate with them, and their price is still too high (tres cher) them tell that you are sorry, but the item is just not in your price range right now. More than likely they will ask you how much you want to spend.....tell them then. Only on rare times when I have done this has this worked.....but you do it with respect and whether you walk away with or without the treasure in hand you both save face.

So many dealers do know at least their numbers in English now. But like the Manners I talked about in the Tip #1, at least try and they will help you...after all, they want to practice what they know in English!

Any questions? Just ask!