Arts and crafts markets in Paris?
#1
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Arts and crafts markets in Paris?
My husband and I shall be in Paris from 13 t0 16 May - we are searching for arts and crafts markets, where actual handicrafts like broaches, earrings, shoes, etc are sold. We know about Place du Tertre and the St Ouen flea market - the latter sounds like a huge place where antiques and second hands, books ,etc are sold, am I right?
We would like to find those special somethings, authentically Parisian, if you know what I mean.
Please help!
We would like to find those special somethings, authentically Parisian, if you know what I mean.
Please help!
#3
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I don't think the arts and crafts fair has hit Paris. There are enclaves of artisans, and the stuff ain't cheap (no macrame wallhangings, if you catch my drift).
In the 12th is the Artisans Viaduct:
http://www.viaduc-des-arts.com/
The 6th and 7th have art galleries. There are jewelry makers; their shops are in the 6th and 7th mostly, though others are scattered in other neighborhoods.
St Ouen is a giant antique flea market; around the outside are street vendors who sell African carvings, tshirts and scarves. I don't remember seeing anything particularly 'Parisian'.
If you are looking for home decor, then go shopping in the department stores (that's where the locals buy their stuff); go to BHV for hooks and knobs and house numbers. The Parisians don't go shopping for Parisian stuff, they just buy what they need.
Haute couture is in the 8th; Place Vendome has expensive jewelry stores.
In the Marais are stationery stores with handmade papers.
In the 12th is the Artisans Viaduct:
http://www.viaduc-des-arts.com/
The 6th and 7th have art galleries. There are jewelry makers; their shops are in the 6th and 7th mostly, though others are scattered in other neighborhoods.
St Ouen is a giant antique flea market; around the outside are street vendors who sell African carvings, tshirts and scarves. I don't remember seeing anything particularly 'Parisian'.
If you are looking for home decor, then go shopping in the department stores (that's where the locals buy their stuff); go to BHV for hooks and knobs and house numbers. The Parisians don't go shopping for Parisian stuff, they just buy what they need.
Haute couture is in the 8th; Place Vendome has expensive jewelry stores.
In the Marais are stationery stores with handmade papers.
#5
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I think you'll probably find the kinds of unique objects you're looking for in the Marais. There are lots of small boutiques stocked with one-of-a-kind items--jewelry, clothing, etc. I'd also check out the Bastille area--it's currently the hippest part of Paris, I'm told.
#6
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The other posters are right: there is no such thing as an arts market in Paris. By all means, stay away from Place du Tertre, which is a tacky tourist trap. The Clignancourt market is worth visiting, even if it's huge, you'll find antique jewellery there. You might try the flea market on Porte de Vanves,which is smaller, but still you'll remain in the antiques section. Living in South Africa, you won't be impressed by West African crafts, since Ivoirian vendors are already all over big South African cities. Yes, try to wander around Bastille, Viaduc des Arts and Le MArais...
#11
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There is an artist market at the Edgar Quinet market site every Sunday. I will try to find the website (am at work now). It was mostly oil and watercolor paintings and pottery. I don't remember jewelry, but then I was not looking for that since I am a painter. If you go, look for Maurice Tam, a young artist from Singapore, who does fantastic architectural watercolors (and you won't need French to converse-we spent 30 mins chatting in English). Far better than anything I found at the Place du Tertre (although there were some talented artists there, but you had to search a lot harder for them).
#14
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http://www.warmgray.com/gallery.htm
This is Maurice Tan's site (I misspelled his name earlier). I have tried several times to access the art market website, but it comes up unavailable. The site was funded by the artists themselves, and I suspect they discontinued it. The art market itself was still active in August, 2001, when we were there.
This is Maurice Tan's site (I misspelled his name earlier). I have tried several times to access the art market website, but it comes up unavailable. The site was funded by the artists themselves, and I suspect they discontinued it. The art market itself was still active in August, 2001, when we were there.