Go up north for festive fun in the city of Manchester, with the main market hub situated in Albert Square, twinkling beneath the town hall. Follow the trail of market stalls through the city centre to find little Christmas gems – including amber jewellery, Belgian chocolate and French soaps.
How to Shop at Flea Markets While Traveling—According to a Pro
24.10.2023 - 15:07 / cntraveler.com
On a recent Friday afternoon, as most of my city dwelling friends were packing up their cars to drive to beachfront hotels or cozy houses in the country, I was on my way to a very different type of weekend getaway. After taking an overnight flight to London, I got on the Eurostar and headed to the French city of Lille, where the city’s Grande Braderie, Europe’s biggest flea market, was about to take place.
Lille’s massive Braderie, which has been held every year for centuries, is well-known to self-professed flea market obsessives like me; it sees around 2.5 million attendees each year. For a couple days in September, around 10,000 vendors take over the city, selling everything from elegant vintage furniture to delicately-used plastic children’s toys. (The word braderie literally means “clearance sale,” but it’s come to be best translated as “giant flea market.”)
But beyond potential bargains, flea markets also offer a unique view of a city. You’re surrounded by locals, often in a neighborhood that otherwise tourists would never see. Frequently, what’s for sale reflects each place’s cultural history. In Lille, for example, that included mid-century French propaganda posters and a 19th century butter urn. And, of course, the souvenirs you can bring home are considerably more unique than what you’d find in a centrally-located boutique.
At flea markets, you’re surrounded by local material culture that can tell the history of a place that tourists rarely hear or see.
It’s why flea markets have long been part of my travel plans: I coordinate Sunday flights with flea marketing hours, booking to fly either late enough to hunt for finds the next morning or super-early to arrive before a good one closes. In cities where a flea market isn’t held weekly—like Miami, where Lincoln Road’s version is held mostly on alternate Sundays, and only in the cooler months—I deliberately schedule travel dates around attending.
Over years of long-distance flea marketing, I’ve developed some techniques along the way. I travel with a flea marketing outfit: comfortable shoes of course, but also accessories that don’t look flashy, as much to keep prices down when haggling as to ward potential pickpockets away. I always carry a couple canvas tote bags for purchases, one loaded with essentials like water, hand sanitizer, and, depending on the weather forecast, an umbrella or sunscreen. On a smartphone, pre-downloaded navigation, translation, and currency calculating apps come in handy. Cash is king at flea markets, so it’s best to come with plenty of small bills for inexpensive finds.
Low prices can make purchases tempting, but it’s important not to get too wrapped up in the moment. “Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap,”
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