How to Navigate the Saint Ouen Flea Market in Paris
How to navigate the Saint Ouen flea market
Paris Explained
A collection of stories, history, culture, practical tips, and hidden corners of Paris.
Welcome to a labyrinth of treasure, otherwise known as the Marché aux Puces de Saint Ouen. This market is the largest antique market in the world and can be very overwhelming for first-timers. I’ll try to break it down for you. The easiest way to get there is on the metro line 4, getting off at the last station, Porte de Clignancourt. Follow the exit signs for “Marché aux Puces.” It’s about a 10-minute walk from here. Follow the signs and don’t get distracted along the way. You will see a large area of white tents full of mostly fake merchandise. Keep walking, going under the highway overpass (this is actually the Périphérique, the highway which encircles Paris). Turn left onto Rue des Rosiers, and you are in! From here, you can access all of the markets.
What to know before you go
Bring cash.
Beware of pickpockets. Hide your wallet.
Prepare to spend the day.
Go in the morning.
Bargain.
Friday from 8 am to 12 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Monday 10 am to 6 pm (many dealers are closed on Mondays)Have lunch at Le Paul Bert, 20 rue Paul Bert
Marché Biron, 85 Rue des Rosiers
You can walk the red carpet through this market of almost 200 vendors featuring everything from lights to furniture from the 17th through the 20th centuries. Lots of Louis XV and XVI pieces.
Marché Paul Bert, 96 Rue des Rosiers
Marché Serpette, 110 Rue des Rosiers
Expect lots of furniture from the 1950’s and 1960’s. I could furnish an entire dream house from these two markets. Serpette is very high-end and a joy to discover.
Marché Vernaison, 99 Rue des Rosiers
This is the oldest section of the market and the most affordable. Expect about 300 vendors selling toys, glassware, antiques, furniture, textiles, paintings… This is a good place to start, especially if you are looking for smaller treasures to bring home. Have fun getting lost wandering the many alleyways.
Marché Dauphine, 140 Rue des Rosiers
This is the largest covered market with about 150 dealers under a glass roof. Expect records, jewelry, vintage fashion, cool shoes, books, and art galleries.
Marché Jules Vallès, 7-9 rue Jules Vallées
This market is inside. Expect furniture, posters, books, and smaller objects.
Port de Vanves Flea Market in Paris - Perfect for Beginners.
Paris is full of treasure. Welcome to my favorite flea market in Paris, the Porte de Vanves flea market in the 14th arrondissement. Here you can find treasure small enough to fit in your suitcase.
Paris Explained
A collection of stories, history, culture, practical tips, and hidden corners of Paris.
Paris is full of treasures. I like to make a treasure hunt out of everything from searching for specific paintings in the Louvre with my children (more on that in a future blog post) to meandering through Père Lachaise cemetery searching for my favorite French icons. But treasure hunting at a flea market is the best kind of treasure hunting cause you get to take the treasure home!
un marché aux puces - a flea market
Welcome to the Marché de la Porte de Vanves. Located in the 14th arrondissement at Avenue Georges Lafenestre and Avenue Marc Sangnier. If you’ve visited the famous St. Ouen flea market in Paris, the Vanves flea market is not nearly as overwhelming. And who wants to feel overwhelmed when in Paris? Many second-hand dealers go to this market to find their own goods at affordable prices. But you need an early start. The market is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm, rain or shine.
This market specializes in smaller items, just the right size for your suitcase. The last time I went treasure hunting here, I found a 2CV toy car and an artichoke plate. The vendors set up their wares on temporary tables as they’ve been doing here since 1905. I found them all friendly, enjoying a very relaxed atmosphere. No tour buses. Mostly locals and the odd lucky tourist.
“It’s not about the treasure – it’s about the hunt.”
Take the metro line 13 and exit at Porte de Vanves. You will see the stands upon exiting the station. Bring cash as not all vendors can accept credit cards, but like everywhere in Paris, beware of pickpockets.
I would love to hear what suitcase-sized treasure you discover.