| St-Ouen Flea market is the biggest of the three main | | | | the land around it was invested in. Streets were laid |
| flea markets in Paris. It is open on weekends and | | | | and necessities such as electricity and water were |
| Mondays and sells almost anything you can think of | | | | supplied to stands; although at a steep price. This |
| from second hand to new clothes, old knickknack's | | | | made the area more contemporary and attractive so |
| and antiques. It is the leading antiques market in the | | | | more crowds would turn up and it also helped it |
| world and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the | | | | become famous for its cafs, bistros, restaurants and |
| greater Paris region, which is no surprise as some of | | | | amusements: chips and mussels booths, dance cafs, |
| the best villas in France are nearby. | | | | traditional caf games. |
| The flea market is called Le Marche Aux Puces de | | | | A few tips when going to the flea market: |
| Saint-Ouen and extends over seven hectares in | | | | Go in the morning as in the afternoon it gets very |
| Saint-Ouen. The flea market has around 70,000 | | | | crowded. Bring a calculator with you to really see if |
| visitors over its opening days and is one of Paris most | | | | what you are buying is really a deal as opposed to |
| famous shopping venues. There are over 2000 | | | | mentally juggling about different currencies. |
| shops and stands in the flea market so you are bound | | | | |
| to find something of your interest. This is a place that | | | | If you are going to the market in a group then choose |
| can appeal to bargain hunters or just those who fancy | | | | a central meeting point and time after you arrive there |
| a stroll. | | | | so that if members of your group do wander off in |
| After the war in 1870, shopkeepers who were forced | | | | various directions, you can join back up with each |
| out of Paris built a village of rag merchants in | | | | other. |
| Saint-Ouen, after a while they officially opened the | | | | Hide your wallets under your shirt or sweaters |
| market in 1885. The town of Saint-Ouen made sure | | | | around you upper body region, thankfully a lot of the |
| to make the district safer and cleaner. This was | | | | dealer accept credit cards so if you rather pay that |
| helped by them charging the stall holders a parking | | | | way you can as it will be easier and lighter for you. |
| fee. Parisians flocked there in increasing numbers | | | | Also don't bring your passports with you as they're not |
| particularly on Sunday, as this is almost like a ritual to | | | | needed especially when buying antiques although they |
| them as a Sunday outing away from the city. The | | | | do need credit cards. |
| first four markets appeared between 1920 and 1938: | | | | If you are use to shopping at markets for antiques, |
| Vernaison, Malik, Biron and Jules Valls. The March du | | | | then you will know that you could always banter with |
| Biron was formed in 1925, with two long rows of stalls | | | | the dealer to get a cheaper price. Also if possible try |
| and is known as one of the more expensive | | | | to go with someone as sometimes you will need a |
| markets. | | | | second opinion, and having someone to ask "do you |
| After the first war, the market became so popular that | | | | really need X? |