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17.01.2025 - 15:07 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 16, 2025 • 6 min read
Paris’ flea markets date back to the late 19th century, when scavengers collecting trash from the streets of Paris were chased out of the city center by thieves. They started selling goods in the city’s outskirts, hence why the largest flea markets today are still found on the edge of the city.
Over time, these markets evolved into vibrant trade centers, attracting antique dealers, artists and collectors. By the early 20th century, the markets were fully established as key cultural and commercial spots.
Find treasure on your trip to Paris with this guide to the city's best flea markets. For more informal and pop-up markets, look at the Vide Greniers website.
Best for vintage finds
For vintage charm and eclectic discoveries, head to Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves on the southern edge of Paris in the 14th arrondissement. This open-air market brimming with bric-a-brac and nostalgic finds is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7am until 2pm, making it the perfect weekend trip. Look out for trader Jean-Paul Boucher, carefully curating his albums of postcards that offer a glimpse into the golden age of travel.
Stroll among tables and boxes displaying an array of goods from the 18th to 20th centuries including art books, old frames, brooches, paintings and keyrings with retro French logos. For collectors, there’s a rich selection of antique jewelry, vintage cameras and old signage, perfect for anyone interested in Parisian nostalgia.
This is one of Paris' smaller markets, with 380 professional sellers offering a more intimate shopping experience. It's a treasure mine just waiting to be discovered, especially if you arrive early before the morning charm fades into the noon dull.
For a break, grab a bite from the halal food caravan offering hot dogs, croque monsieur and delicious coffee with overflowing foamed milk. Make sure to try Souheyla’s legendary homemade fries – they've been a locals’ favorite for over 20 years!
Detour: Escape the market bustle with a walk along the historic Petite Ceinture du 14e, a former Second Empire railway reclaimed by nature. Wildflowers weave through rusted tracks, vibrant street art adorns the weathered walls and relics of Paris’ railway past tell tales of another time, creating a tranquil urban retreat.
The biggest market, best for antiques and furniture
Also known as Puces de Clignancourt, this is the world’s largest antique market and the most famous flea market in Paris. Located just outside central Paris in the north, this sprawling market has over 2500 dealers spread across 14 markets. As you wander through its labyrinth of alleyways, look out for antique dealers showcasing fine furniture, vintage clothing stalls with Parisian fashion, rare
For a window into the soul of a city, take a stroll along the waterfront: Think of the Seine walkways in Paris, the Copacabana promenade in Rio or the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. Or the nearly 14-mile palm-fringed ribbon called La Rambla, in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
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Bordeaux is synonymous with the famed French wine, but its joie de vivre cannot be bottled. A list of the best things to do in Bordeaux is sure to namecheck all the things the city is known for: historic monuments, bustling markets, attractive museums, boutique art shops that are as impressively stocked as the city’s galleries—and yes, plenty of wine. The Old Town, Vieux Bordeaux, is a charming neighborhood to explore, a place that blends the architecture of grand vintage buildings with contemporary wine bars where one can linger long after the last drop. On a trip to this world capital of wine, cups are sure to runneth over. Here are the very best things to do in Bordeaux, France. (And check out the best hotels in Bordeaux, while you’re at it.)
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