bdgirls

I am interested in doing some Paris Flea shopping for home decor items during my visit in May. Can anyone recommend a tour guide or shopper's assistant type service that can help me find the things on my "wish list" (smaller items such as picture frames, candle sticks...likely not tables and armoires)? And, perhaps more importantly, what experiences have you had shipping things back to the States? Advice on practical considerations like ...estimated shipping cost, logistics... would be most welcome. Thanks!

Gretchen

Are you doing this for your home or for a business? I find the prices at Clingnancourt to be eye wateringly expensive. I have often seen things that I could buy in the US for a fraction of the price, and that was when the Euro was on par.
There are shipping places in the market. I'm sure they would love to do it for you. There are also "UPS" shippers in town that you could pack and send yourself. If it is just "stuff" for you, I'd advise keeping it small and get an extra suitcase.
Go to teh weekend market at Vanves for a lot more fun.

Christina

I know there are shopper services, perhaps someone can suggest them (I hate shopping so don't know any myself). I imagine one of those books about shopping in Paris (there are a couple you'll find in bookstores) will have some suggestions.

As for shipping, I have never bought anything large nor used shippers at Clignancourt, if that's what you mean. I know they have those services out there, believe me, they want to sell stuff, and either a vendor can arrange it for you or tell you where they have that in the section. They have a couple websites, and I imagine it will list that info, also. try http://www.marchesauxpuces.fr/

I have shipped a small box home by regular French postal service and it is very very expensive. I think it was around 40 euro for a fairly small box (meaning maybe 18 inches by 24 inches by 6 or something). The Poste website shows you those rates, also, there are some boxes called Colissimo of various sized that are one flat rate (one high flat rate). see www.laposte.fr

kerouac

If you h

kerouac

If you have never been to that flea market, I made a photo report with an overview of what you can expect. I'm sure that all of the main merchants have the references and rates of reliable shippers.

Anyway, here is my report again: http://tinyurl.com/parisflea

bdgirls

Thanks ladies, for the links and tips. I did indeed, see your photo report and it was fabulous, kerouac! It offered great scope for decorator imagination and I enjoyed "imaginary shopping" thru your photos. I think I'm simply having delusions of grandeur that I could snap up some treasures and deals to feather my nest - without breaking the bank!

stephane

Dears,

Did you find your personal shopper?

Please let me know.

Thanks,
Stephane
[email protected]
www.decorandco.com

Emma_Byes

If you're looking for a great guide to Paris's markets--flea, antique, food, etc.--get the book Markets of Paris. Newly updated 2nd ed. Has practical tips on diff mkts, where they are, when open, and what to look for once you're there. We used it on our trip a couple weeks ago & found very helpful.