Paris’s Largest Flea Market: Les puces Saint-Ouen
Written as part of Paris Outdoors Week for our Love Paris giveaway
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen (widely known as Les Puces) is the largest antique market in the world, covering seven hectares.
The flea market is situated in Porte de Clignancourt in the north of Paris, each weekend receiving visitors numbering between 120-180,000.
History
Les Puces dates back over two centuries, when rag and bone men, called crocheteurs scoured through the garbage of Paris at night to find valuable objects to sell.
The romantic term was ‘pecheurs de lune’ or fishermen for the moon. They would set temporary stalls within the Paris walls to sell their ”treasures” but throughout the years they were chased out of the city walls to Clignancourt. With time they became numerous and decided to form groups of temporary stalls were customers would come to purchase goods.
Eventually the market became popular and collectors started visiting Les Puces searching for unique pieces and antique dealers would bargain any kind of goods from furniture to rugs and from paintings to fine jewellery.
1885 was officially the first year of the market given that the owners of the stalls started to pay a fee to the town of Saint Ouen and currently the market has over 2000 shops selling everything imaginable.
Markets
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is made out of several markets such as Marche Vernaison, Marche Biron, Marche Serpette, Marche Paul Bert and Marche Jules Valles.
Marche Vernaison is a vast market where the visitors can find anything, from beads to clothing, to spare parts for vintage engines and art-deco kitchen pieces.
Marche Biron is full of antique furniture and the selection is vast but also more expensive. Most interior designers or collectors shop in its shops trying to bargain on unique furniture.
Marche Dauphine is one of the more recent additions to Les Puces, it is rather large and contains an incredible diversity of goods. Famous for the shops that sell vintage clothes and jewellery it also has a caffe and restaurant where to have a pleasant break during your shopping adventure in this wonderful market!
Marche Serpette, Marche Paul Bert and Marche Jules Valles all run into each other, and contain a great diversity of goods.
At Marche Serpette, you’ll find vintage clothing, household goods, art-deco furniture, mirrors and vintage decorative items such as vases, clocks, frames and so on.
If you keep wandering throughout this market you will find yourself amongst a plethora of furniture sellers, who seem to have a great deal of items from the ’50s and ’60s, which means that you’re probably in Marche Paul Bert. Here you’ll find great furniture and print dealers, bargins are available but do not expect to make a big deal or buy cheap.
If you’ve ever wondered where you can buy things like staircases, columns, fireplaces… maybe an entire wall, pop into L’Entrepot (next door to Marche Paul Bert). You can also ask for your goods to be delivered.
A very traditional yet smaller market is Marche Jules Valles with only a hundred stalls. The traders of this market often collaborate with well-known antique shops situated in the heart of Paris so you could easily assist serious trades of antiques and objects.
Access
The main access into the markets is via Porte de Cligancourt Metro station. Maps are available online and at tourist information centres to help you navigate your way through the thousands of stalls.
It is preferable to visit the market during the weekend given that many dealers are not open on Monday .Moreover try to arrive in the morning especially if you are seriously interested in antiques and plan to shop, given that Les Puces becomes very crowded during the afternoon.
Saturday from 9h -18h
Sunday from 10h -18h
Monday from 11h- 5h
Want to win a trip to Paris? Like us on Facebook to enter our Love Paris giveaway (to September 30th 2011). The prize includes a Paris hotel stay and activity for two, plus £150/€170 travel vouchers to make the return journey.
About the author: Mara writes for My Own Paris
Thanks to many years of experience the team of myownparis provides tailor-made advice for your trip/stay in the magic city of light.
Flickr images, with thanks: 1 2 3 4
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Todd Said,
October 22, 2011 @ 2:32 am
Went to Paris for the first time over the summer. I will be going to this upon returning!
Jane Spears Said,
January 12, 2012 @ 6:39 pm
Have to take the car on Sunday to Les Puces, but respecting the advice about pickpockets and crime etc., does anyone know anywhere safe to park the car?? thank you.