Paris- Marché Au Puces Saint- Ouen/Clignacourt
The first time I came to Paris, I thought the vintage shopping was terrible. Dirty and tattered clothing at prices that were too high. Since then, I've found the right places to go with the help of some recommendations and the Internet.
Le Marché Au Puces quite literally means the market of fleas. There are two major flea markets in Paris; Saint Ouen, also known as Clignacourt, and Vanves. Saint Ouen is open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of every week. I went on a Monday around 2 pm, and a lot was still opening. Some vendors never opened, and most closed up shop between 5 pm and 6 pm.
I used to take the subway to the stop at Porte de Clignacourt, but realized that Garibaldi is actually closer. If you take the Clignacourt stop, you will have to walk through, what I would consider, a pretty sketchy market that has knock off cell phone cases and over bleached jeans. There are signs pointing to the direction of the flea market everywhere, so really there should be no reason to get lost.
More beautiful furniture next!
Marché Serpette is another big market in the Marché Au Puces.
You exit the market, and will find a street called Rue Paul Bert. Here you will dig. There are treasures to be found, and it is quite inexpensive.
There are a lot of other shops on the second floor, I would reccomend taking a quick look through each.
A friend gave me the recommendation to go to Chez Sarah. I hadn't been able to find much about it on the Internet, and I almost missed it. It is located in the Lecuyer Valles market which isn't listed on any of the signs, so please look it up before you go.
If you go to Paris, absolutely go to the Saint-Ouen flea market. The great thing about it, is that you have so many stores all concentrated in one location. I would plan to spend all day there, if you have the time- and you will come back with treasures you would never find at home!