For lovers of vintage the Saint-Ouen Flea Market in Paris is a must. One of the biggest flea markets in the world, it is a fun, fabulous shopping venue where you’ll discover all manner of goods to re-love from jewellery, clothes and hand bags to books, furniture, china and antique everything!
The art of collecting unwanted items and selling them on has been a part of life in France for centuries. Saint-Ouen market was born when the Paris council decided to clean up the city in the 19th century. The rag-and-bone-men were driven out and set up camp in the village of Saint-Ouen.
Gradually their site grew, cafés and dance halls were opened alongside the flea market stalls, it became a trendy place for Parisians to visit and the flea market was born. Nowadays Saint Ouen covers a mind-boggling seven hectares and hosts 14 markets with 2000 boutiques – enough to keep the most avid collector happy.
The markets of Saint-Ouen are:
Antica, Biron, Cambo, Dauphine, Django Reinhardt, Jules Vallès, le Passage, Malassis, Malik, l’Entrepôt, Paul Bert Serpette (once the property of the Duke of Westminster), des Rues, L’Usine & Lécuyer and Vernaison.
If you’re seeking a feel of “real” Paris then this is a great place to visit. It’s artsy and has a dynamic atmosphere. There are dozens of tiny cafés and brasseries and some more well-known such as Paul Bert.
The shops and stalls sprawl out over a cat’s-cradle of streets and passages offering an astounding array of goods. Some of the stalls that spill out on to the surrounding streets certainly have a bit of junk and souvenir-style goods, but the flea markets of Saint-Ouen are a great place to wander, browse and with luck, spot something to treasure for ever.
How to get to Saint-Ouen Flea Market
By metro: Porte de Clignancourt (line 4) or Garibaldi (line 13) stations
By Bus: Bus : 56 - 60 - 85 - 95 - 137 - 166 - 255 - PC 3 - Audonienne
Open Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 10am to 6pm.