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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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!
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