vintage finds for a modern world: the paris flea.
the most famous flea market in Paris is the one at Porte de Clignancourt, officially called Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, but known to everyone as Les Puces, or The Fleas. and, it’s the largest antique market in the world, so it goes without saying, that it kind of helps (a lot!) to have your very own guide. i had one of the best guides ever, the lovely and charming jordan of oh happy day! who’s living with her family in paris for the year, and documenting the whole experience on her blog.
jordan has a great post on how to find the paris flea and not get lost (like a lot of people do the first trip out there!). i doubt i would have found my way around without her, or have had so much fun. here’s a few snaps of what we saw at Les Puces…and there would have been tons more, but they do not much care for photos being taken. “non! pas de photos!” but, i risked being beat with a baguette…just for you. :)
• all photos © sfgirlbybay.
ooohhh lucky you–do i see a little glimpse from tombees du camion?
I wanna go! This is tourism at its finest.
Oh, I’m drooling… so much goodness! Thanks for sharing! I’ll be in Europe in time to visit the market in Tongeren, Belgium. I have heard great things about that particular fair but after seeing your pix, I’m determined to someday make it to les puces :)
Wow! Thank you for risking it! These are amazing! It only fuels my desire to jump on a plane even more! :) Can’t wait to see more from your trip!
Dangit! I love Paris. I hate feeling SOOOO jealous!
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.blogspot.com/
Flea market heaven!
Lovin the metal sign in flag shape with the Parisian colors. Tres Magnifique!
Lovely! The St. Cloud is my favorite flea in Paris – found an amazing vintage jet bead necklace, as well as some huge vintage marbles. The only difficult thing is figuring out how to get everything home again!
agreed – thanks for taking the risk. the photos are beautiful and full of enticement!
what did you buy there (besides that adorable little egg cup)?
so glad you could take that trip. hope my family and i can do the same soon!
kathy
thanks guys – it was worth the risk for the photos!
kathy – i will be sharing my souvenirs in a post tomorrow! :)
oh my word. i’d definitely find waaaay too many treasures to bring home with me. putting this on my travel to-do’s…
Wow! If only we had something remotely like this around here…
I have been to this flea market, and while I loved the experience and the eye candy, I found the majority of things were ridiculously over priced. Am I the only one who thought this?
mrs b – things were a bit pricey, yes. i think i just enjoyed it for the ‘wow factor’ – so much eye candy in one place!
You are brave. I thought I might get my throat slit trying to take pics in a Paris flea market (Vanves for me). It was one of my most disappointing photo experiences. In London they are much friendlier about photos as you may have experienced when you were here :) I still love Paris! Good for you for getting some great pics.
bliss – crazy, lost, bliss!
Paul bert et vernaisson are my favoites too!
Absolutely beautiful photos, Victoria!
Lovely photos Victoria! Unfortunately when I was last in Paris I dint get to to this flea Market :( have you been to vanves? I went to that, smaller but lovely! I took loads of photos no one said anything, I’m assuming, reading by the commments they don’t like that?! Well I guess I wasvlucky then ;)
Lovely photos Victoria! Unfortunately when I was last in Paris I dint get to to this flea Market :( have you been to vanves? I went to that, smaller but lovely! I took loads of photos no one said anything, I’m assuming, reading by the commments they don’t like that?! Well I guess I wasvlucky then ;)
Amazing photography………you have a excellent eye for great images..love it
marvelous! merci beaucoup for risking the baquette beating.
ahhh! two of my favorite things in one post- flea markets and paris… these pictures are beautiful- i want to gooo!
http://pinkpeonydesign.blogspot.com/
this post combines two of my favorite things- the flea market and paris! beautiful pictures- i want to gooo! :)
http://pinkpeonydesign.blogspot.com/
my sister lives in Paris, so i have been to the flea a few times. it is heaven on earth! thanks for sharing.
Wonderful!!! I think I would feel like I’d died and gone to heaven!
Beautiful photographs and by far my most favorite flea market in the world. I love the way they pull out their tables, bring out their lunch and bottle of wine and sit and have a leisurely lunch as everyone walks by. What a life!
It’s settled. Next time I go to Paris, I’m going to this market. Your photographs are fantastic and I love this grouping of images!
thank you so much! i think my favorite thing to photograph is the flea markets! :)
your photos are a wonderful memory jogger for me – i love that market and have returned home with many treasures! there is a restaurant in the midst of it all — the name of which i can’t recall — but each table has in the center a mold of butter as big as a triple layer cake! oh the joys of shopping and dining in Paris!
It’s heaven on earth, no? I was amazed at how much incredible art was there! Can’t wait to go back! Here’s a post with my experience at The Fleas! http://thehiddenlist.com/2011/06/planning-perfection/