Thursday, June 2, 2011

Design Shuffle Guest Post: Parisian Flea Market Guide

If you are planning a trip to France soon, bookmark this post! Design Shuffle, a blog that has brilliantly united the community of interior designers and other home enthusiasts, shared this "hot-off-the-press"  guide to the best shopping in the world. I long for the days when the dollar stretched for miles in Europe!

Girl Looks on at Eiffel Tower and over Paris (Credit)
Paris, the most cultured and romantic cities in the world, with its incredible street after street of shopping opportunities, must be as near to heaven on earth as one can get, if shopping, fine food, and the thrill of the hunt is your thing.
The Paris flea markets have been one of the main shopping destinations for bargain hunters and collectors of fine French antiques alike for years. The markets began when the “rag and bone” men over two centuries ago brought valuables they had found in the garbage each night to sell each day at the same venue. The tradition continues and there are three main markets in Paris:

Old Picture of the Paris Flea Markets (Credit)
One in Porte de Montreuil – the most inexpensive of the flea markets where dealers specialize in second-hand clothing (you can find some nice vintage pieces if you are willing to dig a little), house wares and furniture.



Shopping Along Porte de Montreuil (Credit)

Hats at Porte De Montreuil (Credit)
One in Porte de Vanves – bric-a-brac and smaller collectibles rule at this market and is popular amongst those looking for décor items such as lighting fixtures, glassware and china. You can gather lots of interior design ideas from just browsing if you aren’t looking for anything in particular.

Mannequin, vintage lace and chair at a dealer's booth along Porte de Vanves (Credit)

Treasure hunting at the flea markets (Credit)
One in Saint-Ouen / Porte de Clignancourt - the most famous of the markets and the largest, fondly know as “Les Puces” (The fleas), has everything you can ever imagine. If you thought finding a fine vintage French chandelier or a Louis XII style bed was out of the question, you’ll find out quickly all shopping dreams come true at Les Puces. Many interior designers shop the flea markets for clients and interior design ideas such as New York interior designers and Los Angeles interior designers.



The Puces comes alive with French antiques (Credit)

Flea market fare (Credit)
ParisPerfect.com describes the markets of the Puces, “Along Rue des Rosiers, there are several interesting shops, selling Art Deco furniture, fireplaces, mirrors and 'interesting decorative furniture'. I've bought mirrors and some furniture at the second mirror dealer on the right, Philippe and find his prices reasonable. His sister in law owns the first mirror stand on the right and they too have a nice selection. Much further down on the left, before Serpette, is a shop that sells interesting decorative pieces, paintings, garden pieces etc. Good taste and worth a stop.”

Antique chairs at Les Puces (Credit)

Flea market finds in Paris (Credit)
If you can’t see yourself visiting Paris and its Flea Markets anytime soon, there are several online dealers of French wares and you’ll find incredible buys and more. The French influence of a Parisian décor mixes old and new, vintage and reproduction, simple and ornate. If you like the idea of a more formal style but want a comfortable and welcoming home as well, the Paris flea market style is for you.

Laurence Helmer et Maison James a high end Parisian Flea Market Dealer (Credit)
Paris Flea Market
http://www.parisfleamarket.com/
Four days a month Paris Flea Market stocks a large warehouse with freshly found and stocked vintage French furniture and home décor items.
Chez Paulettes French Market
http://chezpaulettesfrenchmarket.com/themarket/index.php?cPath=29
Paulette's ever evolving selection of French Antiques & Vintage Paris Flea Market Finds
Discover France
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Shopping/Paris_fleamkts2.shtml
A Collection of Authentic Paris Flea Markets and Antique Dealers all accessible online.

Joanna is a writer for Design Shuffle which is a social media site filled with interior design ideas from top tier design talent around the world. Come check out the latest!

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing! I am going to make a point of getting to Paris as soon as possible. My daughter went a couple of years ago and came back ready to move.
    So many beautiful things to buy.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  2. *le sigh* thanks so much for sharing these photos and your thoughts. I would love to visit Paris again and shop at one of the Parisian flea markets!

    Lovely post. Thank-you.

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  3. Enjoyed reading but fyi the pictures are not showing up. Paris is the ultimate, there is sooooooo much to discover, and find there, endless possibilities! I will try to come back later and see if the pictures are up later.

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  4. Hi, my name is Mauricio and I'm a student of Interior Design, I really enjoy visiting your blog, thank you for sharing. I have recently started a blog where I'm in the look out for antique furniture. I also visit flea Markets in I enjoy it very much. I invite you to come and visit my blog the address is http://tweakeddesigns.blogspot.com/
    I'm following you. Great job with your blog.

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  5. Great tips!! I've always wanted to go to Les Puces but not actually sure I would have the patience!! My sister got the "dig through the rubble" gene!!

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  6. Liz these are wonderful sites and I cannot wait for the opportunity to go to Paris!

    Come and enter my amazing $250 Giveaway from Tracy Porter!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. oh fun post just adore Paris, sure call me anytime, I walk often not just reynolda though

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  8. what a fabulous & interesting post I really enjoyed the read thanks for sharing this. I just want to book a flight to Paris now

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  9. This time last year I WAS getting ready to go to Paris....but this year I'll just have to settle for looking at the photos.

    Great information, I'll save for "later"!!
    xo Elizabeth

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  10. How breathtaking. I am convinced....need to go to Paris!!

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  11. Love the French flea markets! Wish we were there now! Can't wait to start using Design Shuffle in our travels!
    xo E + J

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  12. When can we go to the Puces together?? The dollars is a ..slight problem...my worst source of concern actually. Off to France in a couple of days. Hope to see you soon as I planning to go to NC end June.

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  14. Truly I discovered this article more enlightening, a debt of gratitude is in order for sharing this article.
    arterio

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