Although Paris has a reputation as a shopping destination for designer and upscale goods, the city’s flea markets are always busy places where one can find just about anything at bargain prices.
Of the flea markets in the Paris area, the best-known is the massive Les Puces de Saint-Ouen at Porte de Clignancourt, with over 2,500 stands spread over 17 acres. Within Le Puces, there are twelve sections; the Vernaison section is popular with local bargain hunters. The Biron section is the most upscale, with antique dealers offering furniture, paintings and various treasures from all periods. Marché Paul Bert, with its seven flower-filled alleys, is popular with decorators. The Malik section specializes in clothing, and the Entrepôt carries large-scale merchandise such as fireplaces and spiral staircases. Les Puces is open Saturday through Monday.
Marché d'Aligre, open Tuesday through Sunday, is made up of both a covered and an open-air market. Lively and typically Parisian, Aligre is an interesting international shopping experience.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, visit the outdoor market of Puces de Vanves. Located along Avenues Georges Lafanestre and Marc Sangnier, the 350 vendors here offer furniture, paintings, jewelry, and books at reasonable prices.
Marché aux Puces de Montreuil is a bit downscale from the other flea markets but can be a fun place to find interesting bargains. Open Saturday through Monday, the sellers here offer a vast variety of mostly post-1900 merchandise.
