Le Grand Marche aux Puces ~ Tip #6 Bringing Paris Home

The GranDaddy of all the markets in Paris and certainly the most famous is the Marche aux Puces.

Also know by its location St. Ouen or Clignancourt!Le Marche had humble beginnings,

But has now grown to over 2,500 dealer stalls, covering 17 acres in the northern tip of Paris

in the 18th arrondissement. The market is more like a grouping of over a dozen different markets.

 

 

While you will find inexpensive treasures in other markets, Clignancourt tends to be a bit more pricey, but the quality usually goes with it. And you will be astounded by near museum quality pieces that await you!

 Not as easy to get to as some of the other markets, but worth the Metro ride. See the map I've given you below.... take the Metro to either Clignancourt or St-Ouen. and follow your map.

Or like I do, I come in the back way at Metro Garibaldi and wind my way around....by- passing the annoying vendors who sell jeans and sunglasses or the otherside of the market.

Opening Saturday and Sunday 10-5 and Monday 11-5. Though I have been there before daylight just as the dealers are arriving with their new finds!

The markets not to miss and are my personal favorites are Marche Sepette and Marche Paul Bert on Rue des Rosiers and Jules Valles on Rue Jules Valles. The dealers are laid back and perfectly charming! And they welcome your smile as well as your polite bargaining. Most of the dealers you will find throughout the market are a bit more serious and are used to dealing with the knowledgeable collectors.

 There are several cafes to have a glass of wine or lunch as you can easily spend the entire day there.

The atmosphere is quieter than a street market, but do beware of pickpockets....while the antiques may be first rate, the area can be a bit shady....watch your belongings carefully especially in the afternoons around the outside areas.

While cash is still king, some dealers you will find take credit cards. And can recommend a shipper for your larger purchases. Several of the shippers ( or transporters as they call them) have offices inside the markets and are very used to dealing with American buyers.




Next up......come along with me and my annual trip to Chatou next week! A bientot!