Brocantes in Paris

Spring’s triumphant arrival in Paris is evident not just by tulips blooming in the Tuileries but also by the brocantes popping up all over the city. Brocantes are similar to flea markets except that they are temporary. The secondhand dealers are like a band of gypsies. They rove the brocante circuit from one Paris arrondissement [...]

Best Flea Markets in Paris (and Tip #5)

I was recently interviewed by travel guru Rick Steves (and–yes!–he’s every bit as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as he seems on t.v.). One of the call-in questions came from a woman who is planning a trip with her 15-year-old daughter and looking for something fun to do in Paris when traveling with a teenager. I suggested [...]

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen/Clignancourt (Paris)

Clignancourt Flea Market (Marchés aux Puces de Saint-Ouen) Saint-Ouen, adjacent to the 18th Arr. closest Métro stop: Porte De Clignancourt Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm, Monday 11am-5 pm (See pp. 243-245 in Markets of Paris, 2nd ed) View Larger Map Clignancourt (also known as Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen) is the [...]

Marché d’Aligre (Paris)

Le Marche Rue D’Aligre Rue d’Aligre from rue Crozatier to rue de Charenton, 12th arr. closest Métro stop; Ledru-Rollin Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 1:30pm (see pp. 155-161 of Markets of Paris, 2nd ed.)   View Larger Map This market actually combines three markets in one: a pedestrian street market that runs along rue d’Aligre [...]

Treasure Island–the Coolest Flea Market in San Francisco?

  Guest blogger Marla Felcher sent this report about San Francisco’s Treasure Island flea market. Treasure Island is an artificial island in the San Francisco Bay, built with landfill for the 1939 World’s Fair. Since then, it has been used as an airport for Pan Am Airlines for its flying boats, a departure point in [...]

To Market, To Market…but Which Kind?

When I tell people I’ve been working on a book about the markets of Paris, it’s a bit of a Rorschach test. Business types assume I’m talking about financial markets. (Years ago I was an editor for business books, so it’s not that much of a stretch.) They try to appear interested, but I see [...]

Portes de Vanves Flea Market, Paris

Avenue Marc Sangnier and avenue Georges-Lafenestre , 14th arr. Saturday-Sunday 9 am-6 pm closest Métro: Porte De Vanves (see pp. 195-198 in Markets of Paris, 2nd ed) View Larger Map This is not the best-known flea market in Paris, but it ranks as one of the best flea markets of Paris. It’s right at the top of my personal [...]