wordsmith1

We were a Clingancourt a few years ago....loved but found somewhat overwhelming. We are going to Paris in August and are reading about de Vanves instead ....any thoughts. Also want a market easy to get to on metro from Marais, smaller items since we live in US. If you think Clingancourt is hands down better, we all go again.

Christina

well, I'm not a big shopper anyway, but I didn't particularly care for Vanves, just didn't see the point, it was a waste of time as far as I was concerned. It is much smaller, but also nothing much of interest as far as I'm concerned, Clignancourt is more like a huge area of antique stores. Vanves was more like our neighborhood yard sale. If you find it fascinating to see piles of junk like old postcards, old perfume bottles, etc, stuff you see at all of those kind of things, sure, it's fine. If you really want something special, I wouldn't go there.

Personally, I enjoy browsing regular roving markets in the city more than I did Vanves. Some of them have brocante, actually, I find marche d'Aligre has stuff like that, in addition to food, and it's right in the 12th arr.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/marche-...-market-paris/


Are you serious shoppers looking for antiques or something valuable? This is a pretty good description of it, I'd say judge for yourself
https://bonjourparis.com/archives/vanves-flea-market/

stache

Every time you go to Clingancort it becomes less overwhelming and more exciting if you are really interested in buying.

wordsmith1

Thanks----

Gretchen

Clignancourt has its "malls" and its small specialty shops. I much more enjoy Vanves on Saturday morning for finding "something" I can pick up to bring back to remind me. I also look for the weekend brocantes that may be anywhere in the city and easy to get to via Metro from Marais or anywhere else.
If you are specifically looking for say, a belle epoque mirror, then go to Clignancourt. I also have found prices at Clignancourt much more than what I can find the same thing in the US.

jayhawkx2

I'm a fan of Vanves and have often found a lovely costume bracelet or other small memento that I proudly display back home. That said, I visited Clignancourt a couple years ago (first time since probably mid-90s), in November- not crowded at all on a Monday, and enjoyed it. To this day I regret not buying a real find, given my interest in WWII: a silver plated cigarette holder, about 4x6, with an etching on back of map of Berlin circa 1947, with the various zones highlighted. I let the fact I don't smoke sway my decision, unfortunately.