Fabulous French Fridays ~ The Paris Flea Market

Welcome to Fabulous French Fridays a wee bit early.

Andrea is currently touring Italy this week. Dreamy sighs.  She has signed up for three separate cooking classes. She’s also hoping to hit a few Italian antique stores and markets. But I can’t imagine that they will come close to anything like the French flea markets or as they’re known in France ~ marché aux puces (pronounced “mar-shay ōh poose”). The literal meaning of marché aux puces is “with fleas” or “Fleas’ Market”. The name is believed to have originated when rag-pickers, (known as crocheteurs aka pickers or the more romantic 'pêcheurs de lune' aka fishermen of the moon ~ meaning those who dumpster dive at night) began trying to peddle their meager treasures on the fringes of Paris several decades before the area became officially designated as a public marketplace in 1885.

The flea market on the north side of Paris is known as Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (“sant – ooh – ĕhn”). It is one of the largest in France, with over 3000 dealer booths and it is filled with the crème de la crème of antiques. Prices are somewhat higher than the lesser known markets throughout France but many of the dealers also accept credit cards in addition to euros. If you take the metro (subway) you will want to get off at Porte De Cligancourt (“port – duh – glee – yan – coor”) on line 4. The main street for antiques is Rue des Rosiers.

The market is open:

Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Monday from 11 am to 5 pm (but with limited dealers and often by appointment)

Many of the stalls close around lunch time ~ but as you should start right when the market opens, you will be ready to eat yourself.

A good website can be found HERE.

You can also get a Keys To The Fleas ap for your phone from apple.

The flea markets are generally a notch above the French garage sale which is known as a brocante. We will cover brocantes in a future post.

Laura Tips for Successful Flea Marketing Adventures

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Bring a basket. The French do not do plastic bags. The very best baskets are of course found at French Basketeer.

Bring water. Not only to drink, but to wash off your hands. Things worth digging for are not always in a clean pile.

A handkerchief can come in quite handy too.

A pad of paper to write down information such as a booth number.

A camera to record items of interest.

A measuring tape.

Snacks if needed.

If you are shopping for silver, bring a magnet. It will not stick to true silver.

If you go with friends or family choose a designated time and meeting point if you separate.

It is recommended to attend the markets in morning as they often become crowded in the afternoon.

Hide your wallets under your shirt or sweaters around your neck if using cash. But most dealers accept credit cards. However do not bring your passports.

The French love to negotiate. But you need to be respectful and of course speak the language. It is ok to say you are a dealer if you are.

Happy Shopping!

Andrea and Laura