Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Les puces de Saint-Ouen - Vernaison



Les marchés aux puces...

or simply Les Puces (the fleas!)


Marché Vernaison is one of the markets within Saint-Ouen with winding passages and many vendors where you can find anything from furniture to beads, textiles, paintings, antique toys, silver flatware.  It is enormous and you can easily lose your way and the time wandering from one stall to the next. 


If you are a serious shopper looking for bargains, this may not be the best market for you.  It is said that the deeper you go into the market, past Marché Paul Bert, the better luck you may have.  Think of this as a forest and you must venture into the very deepest woods to discover the real treasures.


This is the largest antique market in the world receiving between 120,00 to 180,000 visitors each weekend.  Next week I will take you to le marché aux Puces de Vanves which is on the opposite side of Paris but equally exciting for the treasure hunter.



Marché Vernaisson
99, rue des Rosiers
75018, Paris
Métro Porte de Clignancourt



20 comments:

  1. Ah, my favorite kind of market!! What a great shot! Hope you have a wonderful, safe 4th of July, Genie!

    Hugs
    Sylvia

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  2. J'adore tout simplement... J'aime fouiner dans ces marchés aux puces... Trouver l'introuvable et parfois la pièce rare qu'on espère...
    Une belle photo...

    Gros bisous.

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  3. I like this kind of market and sometimes we can discover precious things there! :)
    bises
    Léia

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  4. Trop cher pour moi. But I love Vanves. So I totally look forward to your next post. I definitely have the brocante bug. Et toi?

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  5. On of my favorite in Paris; Treasure hunting is a fabulous sport! :o)

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful place to get lost in.

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  7. I love how you compare the market with a forrest..so true.
    And the deeper one goes, the more exciting...the thrill of the hunt.
    Love to you
    Colette x

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  8. I'd take my chances on a walk here.

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  9. Beautiful photograph!

    I hope it is not as hot as here, so that all those involved in the market can enjoy the outdoors without turning into fries!

    Happy 4th of July,
    Merisi

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  10. Love htis photo and there is nothing more fun than going treasure hunting!

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  11. I"ve been once and maybe I should go back and give it another chance. It wasn't what I expected. I don't know what I expected! :)
    V

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  12. Happy Fourth of July!

    I have yet to visit these markets - it's nice to have so many 'to do' things still left on my Paris list. In fact, I doubt if I'll ever get to the end of the list, and that suits me just fine!

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  13. I've found some true treasures here, but I don't want to say how long ago. Nowadays, a real "find" is harder to come by—but I still love to bargain with the vendors. So, did you buy anything, Genie?

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  14. I could spend hours in a place like that and leave completely broke! :)

    Happy 4th, Genie!

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  15. I never ventured over there because I had been told it was more expensive than one would expect and the quality of the goods wasn't very high.

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  16. I am not sure why buy I have yet to ever make my way to the flea markets.

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  17. I can't see how with all those people you can ever get to see anything...must be a nightmare to get around! However, there would be some great stuff there.

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  18. Al, the numbers I posted are quite terrifying, but the place is so large, I have never felt crowded. Now, when you go to Galeries Lafayette... that's crowded!

    Alexa, I do buy, usually something small. I often buy something like an old key or postcard to give as gifts. I have a weakness for one type of purchase and usually buy more than I can carry... (mon péché mignon)

    Oakland, I definitely have the bug! Vanves is great fun and I always meet people who will talk with you.

    Starman, my advice to anyone interested in buying items at the flea markets is to research the features of each of the markets within St Ouen. Each has a different "personality" and types of goods. If you want to pop your eyeballs over prices just walk through Marché Biron... oh la la la!

    Harriet, I will never get to the end of my list either!

    Esme, you would enjoy this for sure, a real feast for the eyes!

    Colette, I do wish I was following you deep into that forrest.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  19. Hunting for treasure is one of life's simple pleasures mon ami, and where better than in Paris oui!

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Merci for your comments!