Les puces (flea markets), Paris

Please feel free to explore it, even if you're not looking for anything in particular. You will find almost everything, from clothes to food, from furniture to music, incenses or small handicrafts you do not know what for are made ...
Go on a saturday morning, before the crowd start arriving (around 10h on winter is ok).

3 more images

Paris' main flee market, le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, the world's largest, is an incredible open air museum. It is also thought to be the world's first flee market, dating from the 17th century. The quantity and quality of its antiques are unmatched anywhere in the world. Although the largest number of shops is dedicated to French antiques, other dealers specialise in nearly every possible type of antiques. Bargains can still be found, but beware, these antique dealers are well aware of the value of their merchandise. Le Marché aux Puces is located in Saint-Ouen, just outside Paris by Porte Saint-Ouen, and is well worth a visit, particulary on Sunday morning (it is only open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays).

The biggest flea market in Paris is situated in the north of Paris along the ring between Clignancourt and Saint-Ouen entrances. In fact it's a enormous bazar open every saturdays and sundays. You can buy everything here. Come early!!
Metro : Porte de Clignancourt

Flea market or "marché aux puces" or "les puces"
there are two famous in Paris (or at least just outside Paris)
- les puces de clignancourt (metro : porte de clignancourt), these are not the real real flea market in the tradition... this is more a huge market. Items are not always cheaper as the rest of paris.
- les puces de montreuil (metro : porte de montreuil) are the real flea market in which you will find old clothes, old TV, old engines, old whatever on old tables... but sometimes, old also means that it's in a bad condition... how ever check it out !

The Flea Market of Saint-Ouen is said to be the largest antiques market in the world and is found in the town of St. Ouen just outside of Paris. You can take the Metro from anywhere in Paris to either Porte de Clignancourt or Garibaldi. From the Metro walk up Ave. de la Port de Clignancourt, then head toward Rue des Rosiers. Be careful walking through the first market that you come across; it's a tourist trap and a good place to get your pocket picked. You can walk along the street to avoid the crowds. If you get there early you can watch as the market wakes up. Spend the morning strolling around, do some shopping and then pick a nice place to have lunch and watch the crowds. You can easily make a day out of it or if you're trying to cram a bunch of sights into a short stay just plan to spend 2 or 3 hours.

What You'll Find: Antiques, furniture, clothes, books, records, CDs, art, electronics, collectibles and just about everything else that you're looking for

Hours: Sat/Sun/Monday (9:30am-6:00pm)
Metro Stations: Porte de Clignancourt, Garibaldi
Bus: Lines 86-56-PC
Driving: Ring Road, exit "Porte de Clignancourt"

The St-Ouen 'Flea Market' is the largest antiques market in the world. Very popular but tourists usually don't see where it is. (Metro line 4 'clignancourt').
furniture, paintings, jewellery, candles, trinkets, porcelain, art items and decorations.

Collectors, antique lovers and bargain-hunters from around the world...

Tattoo makers, piercings, food, cd's, clothes...

People wouldn't think that a Flea Market is necessarily something interesting enough to go out of their way for.

DON'T miss it!!!! Trust me!!!!

Take the Metro (4 train) to Porte de Clignancourt--it's the last stop, north of Monmartre. The *important* thing, however, is to keep walking past the initial set of booths that you see, which sell a variety of knick knacks and clothes...Keep walking and turn LEFT on rue de Rosiers. Voila!