Trip Planning Guide » antique markets

The best flea markets in Paris.

Trip — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:04:15 +0000

One-of-a-kind finds

The most famous flea market in Paris — and the largest in the world — is Le Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. It’s been going strong since the 1870s when rag merchants who were forced out of town started peddling their wares just outside the city walls.

Located on the outskirts of the city, Saint Ouen is a trek to reach and a big commitment. Take the Metro to Porte de Clignancourt and then take Avenue Michelet past the ring road.

It’s so vast — 17 acres — that it can easily take a full day to explore. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, more than 150,000 bargain hunters, antique collectors, and curious travelers investigate the 2,500 vendors here looking for one-of-a-kind items. What you’ll find ranges from junk or brocante, as it’s known here, to world-class antiques. And the venues run the gamut too. Some dealers set up folding tables. Others sell their wares in delightfully stylish spaces.

You can get a map of the market online or pick up one when you arrive. It’s actually pretty well organized with more than a dozen markets, specializing in furniture, 18th- and 19th-century decorative items, engravings, military items, or the like. The main drag is Rue des rosiers, where the original four markets — Vernaison, Malik, Biron, and Jules Valles are located. Each has its own ambience, and some are quite picturesque with wisteria-draped patios, and charming old architecture. In fact, Saint-Ouen is a Protected Urban Area.

You won’t find many bargains here, but if you’re looking for something unusual, or you collect something, a day here could be very rewarding. There are several restaurants and a couple of always-busy ATMs. Wear comfortable shoes.

If you don’t have time for Saint-Ouen, Paris has other flea markets that are more manageable and more accessible.

Furniture at Saint-Ouen

Not far from the Hotel de Ville, the Village Saint-Paul isn’t exactly a flea market, but it does have more than 200 dealers selling antiques, brocantes, and old knick knacks in a series of connected courtyards. It’s a great place to look for original gifts or housewares from the 1930s to the 50s.

On the south side of Paris, the Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves takes place every weekend. Like Saint-Ouen, it also has many dealers who specialize in books, prints, maps, and furniture. But prices here are a little better and the 300+ vendors expect to bargain. Many flea market fans think de Vanves is the best in Paris. Keep you eye out for Hermes scarves, vintage purses, and old perfume bottles.

Not far from Opera Bastille, there’s a covered and an open-air market at Place d’Aligre. In addition to antiques, vintage clothes, and junk, there’s also fresh produce and North African spices and crafts. So it’s a great destination for cooks as well as collectors. If you don’t pick up lunch at the market, there are lots of cafes in the neighborhood.

Read about the best consignment shops in Paris here.

1) Marche aux Puces des Saint-Ouen
2) Le Village Saint-Paul
3) Marche aux Puces Porte de Vanves
4) Place d’Aligre Market

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One-of-a-kind finds Image Flickr: h-angele
Furniture at Saint-Ouen Image Flickr: Ted Drake

Rome’s best flea markets

Trip — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:12:04 +0000

Porta Portese market

Known as mercato delle pulci, Rome’s flea markets have their roots in ancient times. They’re a great way to experience an authentic slice of Roman life. And you’ll often find a one-of-a-kind item that becomes a treasured souvenir or a thoughtful gift.

Most visitors to Rome who enjoy flea markets and antique shops know about the Porta Portese market. With 4,000 vendors, it’s one of the biggest flea markets in Europe. And it offers an astonishing array of goods – everything from plastic shoes to 16th-century religious icons.

On our last visit, it was absolutely packed — and sweltering. The junk-to-quality ratio was at least 20-to-one. And we got tired of watching out for pickpockets. To us, Porta Portese is more hassle than it’s worth.

The good news is that there are dozens of Rome flea markets that are less crowded, more accessible, and more fun. Many flea markets only operate between October and June, closing for the hot summer months. Others are open year ‘round.

There’s a nice selection of specialty markets for collectors of old books, prints, antiques, jewelry, and art objects. If you’re in town on a Sunday, there’s probably a flea market somewhere in Rome with your name on it.

Here are some of the best flea markets in Rome:

Mercatino dei Partigiani is held in a parking lot the first Sunday of every month except August. If you’re a bargain hunter, you’ll appreciate the prices here. There’s usually some furniture, WWII collectibles, vintage items, dishes, silver, and an assortment of knick knacks.

Located in Parking Ludovisi not far from the Piazza del Popolo and Via Veneto, Underground is a relative newcomer. On the first Sunday of the month, it has something for everyone – jewelry, old prints and books, cameras, binocular, religious items, and old suitcases.

Ponte Milvio takes place on the first weekend of the month on the banks of the Tiber. It runs all the way to the Ponte Duc d’Aosta. Look for small antiques and collectibles, jewelry, linens, books, old lace, and art.

Porta Portese trinkets

Borghetto Flaminio is open on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month. It’s located in a couple of warehouses near the Piazza del Popolo gates. For a modest entrance fee, you can explore nearly 250 vendors selling vintage clothing, costume and antique jewelry, handbags, linens, antique objects, and silver.

Also on the second Sunday of the month, nearly one hundred vendors gather in front of Villa Gloria to see a little bit of everything from slightly used designer fashions and sportwear, antiques, old typewriters, bicycles, and books.

Located in a tree-lined piazza not far from the Tiber in the Prati district, Piazza Mazzini offers more pleasant surroundings than some of Rome’s markets. They usually have around 80 vendors, and they’re open the second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month except in August.

Via Sannio is your best bet if you’re only in town during the week. It’s open Monday through Saturday and located under the Aurelian walls. There’s no telling what you’ll find here. But clothes for almost any occasion, Army surplus items, camping gear, and shoes are always on hand.

Collectors interested in books, etchings, engravings, comics, and magazines should visit Mercato delle Stampe which is not far from Piazza Navona. It’s open Monday through Saturday mornings.

On the first and third Sundays, Soffito Sotto i Portici takes place in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, not far from the Spanish Steps. Lots of cool, old objects here, including pocket watches, cameras, jewelry, candlesticks, picture frames, and toys.

Held the fourth Sunday of the month on a square in stylish Parioli, Piazza Verdi has all kinds of vintage items and antiques. Look for fine china and glassware, jewelry, silver, crafts, rare books, musical instruments, and linens.

If you want to visit Porta Portese, go early – it opens every Sunday at dawn – enter from Piazza Ippolito Nievo, and keep a close watch on your purse or wallet. Bargain hard, but don’t expect great deals even if you do.

Read about flea markets in Southern California here.

1) Mercatino dei Partigiani
2) Underground
3) Ponte Milvio
4) Borghetto Flaminio
5) Villa Gloria
6) Piazza Mazzini
7) Via Sannio
8) Mercatio della Stampe
9) Soffito Sotto I Portici
10) Piazza Verdi
11) Porta Portese

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Porta Portese market and Porta Portese trinkets Image Flickr: krynn1978

Southern California’s best flea markets.

Trip — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:48:26 +0000

Flea market finds

There are plenty of the things to do in Southern California, and most visitors run out of time before they run out of attractions. Most travelers don’t know that there are fantastic flea markets in the Los Angeles area every weekend. And in addition to finding the perfect old poster, antique lamp, or vintage handbag, you may also see a celebrity.

L.A.’s flea markets are huge, varied, and fun. Some, such as the Rose Bowl, are all-day affairs, while others are a pleasant way to pass a few hours. Most have a few food trucks, so there’s something to tide you over if you get hungry.

Take cash, wear plenty of sunscreen and/or bring a hat.

On the 3rd Sunday of each month, the Long Beach Outdoor Antique Market is held at the Veterans Stadium. It’s been in business since 1982. With about 800 dealers spread over 20 acres, this is one of the biggest antique markets on the west coast. There’s usually lots of old furniture and other home furnishings, decorator items, and vintage clothing.

The Big Daddy of L.A. flea markets, the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena is held on the 2nd Sunday of the month. When the weather’s nice, 20,000 people will make a day of it, searching for treasures among the 2,500 vendors. There’s literally something for every one here, whether you’re a serious collector or just looking for something kitschy to take home to a friend.

Admission prices are tiered, based on when you arrive. Fanatics who are willing to pay $20, can show up as early as 5AM, though not all of the vendors will be set up by then. The price descends until 9AM, when general admission runs $8.00. But remember, the early bird definitely gets the worm here. The box office is open until 3PM when things start to wind down.

Many of the vendors here specialize in a specific kind of antique or collectible. It you collect anything, chances are there’s a vendor here who sells it. You’ll see assortments of lunch boxes, vintage hats, clocks, action figures, jewelry, rugs, fine art, crafts, musical instruments, and retro-cool items from the 1960s. There’s even an appraisal service available.

Prices are higher here than at your average swap meet, but you can still find some steals. We found a beautiful Art Deco floor lamp for $35. So be prepared to do a little bargaining.

If you find something exceptional, the seller probably knows exactly what it’s worth. But since the price of a space here is much less than they’d pay for a storefront, you should be able to save quite a bit.

There are several food vendors, and even a place that sells beer – which is very welcome on a hot, summer day. So plan to spend some time.

More treasures

Located on the south side of the Santa Monica Airport, the Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market is held on both the 1st and 4th Sundays of the month. The latter is more popular with about 175 dealers and an early-bird entrance of 6AM. This market has better quality antiques, carpets, furniture, paintings, textiles, jewelry, lighting, and vintage clothes.

Set designers and decorators often come here looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, because there’s always something interesting and out of the ordinary. Santa Monica is not as much of a commitment as the Rose Bowl, and when you’re through, you can visit Santa Monica Beach.

The trendiest of the L.A. flea markets is the Melrose Trading Post in the Fairfax High School parking lot. Plenty of young celebrities have been seen here looking for the latest trend-defying duds. Most of what you’ll find here is pretty hip and of good quality. There are usually some musician providing a sound track, and there are some trucks too.

The favorite flea market of many California bargain hunters is the Pasadena City College Flea Market, held the 1st Sunday of the month. Usually, there are about 500 vendors, selling all sorts of stuff. Admission here is free.