Pocket watches

London has delightful antiques shops that will appeal to both serious collectors and casual shoppers alike. With dozens of dealers all in one place, the antique malls are especially convenient, and there are several great ones to choose from. Plus, they’re usually open during the week when most of the markets are closed.

If you’re interested in high-end furnishings and fine art, there are top-notch antique dealers around St. James, Bond Street — where you’ll find the Fine Art Society and Waterhouse and Dodd — King’s Road, and Kensington Church Street — home to Haslam and Whiteway and Rafferty and Walwyn.

Gray’s Antique Mall opened in 1977 in a 19th-century terracotta building in the West End. Today, there are more than 200 antique dealers selling everything from Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry to Hawaiian shirts. You won’t find many bargains here, but there’s an amazing selection of high-quality collectibles.

Vintage Mode in Grays Mews sells gowns, handbags, shoes, and accessories. And there are shops that specialize in Bakelite, antique dolls, timepieces, medals, perfume bottles, pewter, old photographs, gems, advertising, and compacts.

Gray’s is a must-visit for travelers who appreciate beautiful, old things.

Opened by Bernie Gray in 1976, Alfie’s Antiques Market occupies the old Art Deco Jordan’s Department Store on the east end of Church Street. There are four floors of stalls here and a rooftop restaurant where you can have breakfast, lunch, or a glass of wine. Alfie’s has a little bit of everything, but it’s especially strong for vintage fashions, 20th-century decorative arts, and fine, antique jewelry and watches.

The dealers here are extremely knowledgeable, and many have been tenants since the 1970s. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, there are more than a dozen antique shops on Church Street.

In Islington, Camden Passage is best on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the stalls are filled with dealers. There are antique stores in arcades on both sides of Islington High Street and Camden Passage. Circa 1900 has beautiful Art Nouveau jewelry, Christina Tattum has antique boxes, Gordon Gridley has fine art and decorative objects, David Webb has classic jukeboxes, and Finbar MacDonnel has old prints.

Old toys

With 200 dealers on two floors, Admiral Vernon Antiques Market is the largest arcade off the Portobello Road Market. It’s packed on Saturdays, but if you want to miss the crowds, most of the shops are open during the week. You’ll find armor, antique guns, cameras, jewelry, silver, glass, clocks, and toys. There’s a café on the lower level.

In a beautiful building on the King’s Road, Antiquarius is one of the most attractive antique malls in London. There are over 80 dealers selling top-quality glassware, jewelry, furniture, clothing, decorative arts, and timepieces. In business since the 1960s, Antiquarius is an enjoyable destination.

If you’re looking for reclaimed architectural items like chimneys, fireplaces, doors, columns, paneling, flooring, lighting, or stained glass windows, the London Architectural Salvage and Supply Company (LASSCO) is your best bet. Most of the things here are expensive, but they are truly one of a kind.

With nearly 30 dealers specializing in antique silver, London Silver Vaults has the largest collection in the world. In addition to jewelry, there are boxes, pipes, perfume bottles, card holders, letter openers, clocks, tea services, and more. The building, which dates from 1876, was originally the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit.

Francophiles will enjoy The French House which sells French furniture from the Renaissance to the Napoleonic era. The owners travel to France once a month, so there’s always something new. Doors, fountains, fireplaces, and garden benches, and old lighting are also available.

Lovers of antiques should set aside some free time in London to search for treasures in these great spots.

Read about the best antique shops in Barcelona here.

1) Gray’s Antiques Market
2) Alfie’s Antiques Market
3) Camden Passage
4) Admiral Vernon Antiques Market
5) Antiquarius
6) London Architectural Salvage and Supply Co,
7) London Silver Vaults
8) The French House

View London’s best antique shops. in a larger map

Pocket watches Image Flickr: ?serendipity
Old toys Image Flickr: karen horton

Barcelona’s Palau Nacional

Barcelona has an original style all its own. Most of Europe’s major design trends made their way here, were influenced by Catalonian sensibilities, and emerged distinctively different. Which makes shopping for antiques in Barcelona especially enjoyable. The treasures you find here will be truly unique.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find an example of Barcelona’s fabulous version of Art Nouveau, known here as Modernisme.

Barcelona’s antique shops are grouped together on several streets, most of which are in the charming Gothic Quarter or Bari Gotic. You’ll find everything from antique dealers selling museum-quality furniture to vintage clothing stores.

Carrer del Banys Nous is the traditional home of Barcelona’s antique shops, although lately, some hip clothing boutiques have been creeping in. You’ll find teacups, tapestries, and vintage fashions at Heritage. And L’Arca de L’Avia sell antique textiles, lace, and linens.

Not far away, Carrer de la Palla also has several antique stores including Artur Ramon Art which specializes in 18th and 19th-century art and objets d’arts. Angel Batlle at number 23 has old posters, maps, and postcards.

In the Eixample district, at Passeig de Gracia 55 (in the Bulevard Rosa shopping center), the Bulevard des Antiquarius has more than 70 antique shops selling furniture, jewelry, paintings, crystal, and dolls. Prices here are firm and most purchases come with a written guarantee.

Barcelona’s Bari Gotic

If you’re willing to sift through some junk, El Encants, Barcelona’s biggest flea market, has a little bit of everything. It’s on the north side of the traffic circle at Placa de les Glories Catalanes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Coin and stamp collectors should go to the Sunday-morning market in Placa Reial. And book collectors will enjoy the Sunday market at Sant Antoni.

The Mercat Gòtic de Antiguitats takes place every Thursday in the Placa Nova, the square next to the Cathedral. Prices here are higher because of the number of tourists, so do a little bargaining.

Barcelona

At the end of Las Ramblas near the port, the Fira Brocante Antique and Flea Market is held on Saturdays and Sundays. Look for the statue of Christopher Columbus. We found a great cast-iron dog there that we use as a door stop. Since it was the first day of our trip, we lugged it all over Spain and Portugal, but it’s now a family treasure. You should not pay full price here.

If you’re visiting Barcelona, be sure to leave yourself enough time to do some treasure hunting in the city’s charming antique shops.

Find Paris shopping tips here.

Barcelona’s Palau Nacional Image Flickr: harshilshah100
Barcelona’s Bari Gotic Image Flickr: puroticorico
Barcelona Image Flickr: papalars

Free “P” Star in the Marais

No wonder Parisians coined the term “leche-vitrine,” which loosely translated means “window licking.”

But if you have your heart set on coming home with a piece of Parisian haute couture, there are ways to do it without breaking the bank.

Fashion-forward Parisians won’t wear the same designer outfit more than once.  And they certainly won’t wear something from last year’s collection this year.  Instead, they’ll take their unwanted items to a “depots-vente,” which is a high-end consignment shop that specializes in designer clothes.

Because the clothes in most of these shops are nearly perfect, they’re not cheap.  Even at 50% off retail – or more – they’re still an investment.  And most of the best consignment stores are a little out of the way for the average tourist.  But if you know couture and are willing to make the trek, you can score some serious bargains – a Chanel suite for €1000 or a Hermes scarf for €150.

Here are some of the best consignments shops in Paris for high fashion bargains:

Vintage clothes

1)    Reciproque is the oldest (founded in 1978), biggest, and best-known consignment shop in Paris.  In addition to clothes, there’s tableware, artwork, and furniture.  It’s actually made up of seven boutiques, and as consignment stores go, it’s pretty well organized.  As a rule, people either love Reciproque or hate it.  They’re at 88 and 95 rue de la Pompe in the 16th.

2)    Fan-Fan’s Depot Vente has friendlier owners than some places.   If you have something in mind – perhaps Hermes, Vuitton, or Dior – they can help you find it.  There aren’t a lot of small sizes here, but there are usually nice belts, handbags, and accessories.  They’re on rue Mayet.

3)    Conveniently located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Depot Vente de Buci-Bourbon is worth spending some time in.  There are actually two shops – one specializing in classic vintage couture and one selling Gaultier, Yamamoto, and other trend setters.  The address is 6 rue le Bourbon-le-Chateau

4)    Located in the 14th, Priscilla has very good prices on classics from designers like Max Mara, Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent, Sonya Riekel, and Christian Dior.  You’ll find Priscilla at 4 rue Mouton-Duvernet.

5)    Le Jupon Rouge features fun clothes by up-and-coming designers.  If you’re lucky, you’ll find a blouse by Agnes B or Ungaro, or shoes from Stephane Kelian or Repetto.  It’s at 9 rue de Rochechouart (in the 9th).

6)    Griff-Troc often has just what you’re looking for – Valentino, Dolce & Gabbano, Dior, Chloe, and Hermes at prices that are good, but not exactly a steal.  They’re at 119 Boulevard Malesherbes (in the 17th).

7)    If you’re staying in the Marais, you’ll want to check out Odetta at 76 rue des Tournelles.  It’s open on Sundays, which is rare.

8)    Another Marais boutique, Alternatives stocks clothes worn by models for photo shoots, so they’re hardly worn, but pretty small.  Look for Prada and Miu Miu.  It’s at 18 rue de Roi de Sicile.

9)    Free “P” Star is a vintage shop favored by Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst who shopped here during the filming of Marie Antoinette.  Prices are very good and their stock turns over quickly.  8 rue Ste-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie

10) If you’re willing to travel, Vallee Village is about 30 minutes from Paris by rail.  It’s an up-market outlet mall with 90 luxury ready-to-wear boutiques including Agnes B, Armani, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Kenzo, and Versace.  You can also take the Cityrama shuttle bus from Place des Pyramids each morning.

1) Reciproque
2) Fan-Fan’s Depot-Vente
3) Depot Vente de Buci-Bourbon
4) Priscilla
5) Le Jupon Rouge
6) Griff-Troc
7) Odetta
8) Alternatives
9) Free “P” Star

View Paris consignment shops in a larger map

Find more Pairs travel tips here.

Free “P” Star in the Marais Image Flickr: nozomiiqel
Vintage clothes Image Flickr: Elsewhere Artist Collaborative