cate

Where are good flea markets to visit in and around Paris, maybe London, southeastern England in a month...and what's the coolest thing to get there.I assume bargaining is as common there as it is here, yes?

cate

C'mon....doesn't anyone like to browse the fleamarkets?

Quicksilver

Hi Cate,

If you do a search in this forum for "Paris flea market" you will find some previously-posted information that addresses your inquiry.

I will "top" a couple of old threads for you. Also, I've included some quotations from other postings, below. Hope this helps!

- Quicksilver -

> Author: elaine ([email protected])
> Date: 12/20/2000, 3:25 pm ET
>
> Message: This is some information I have on Flea Markets
>
> The largest and most famous is the Marche aux Puces de St
> Ouen-Cligancourt. It is divided into 10 large sections, offering
> everything from genuine antique furniture at high prices to junk
> and everything in between. Keep walking past the junk or jeans
> stands until just beyond the underpass where the market actually
> begins. As carol said, what you will find is mostly genuine antiques,
> and priced accordingly. Open Sat, Sun, Mon, 8am-7pm. Metro Porte de
> Cligancourt.
>
> March aux Puces de Montreuil is much smaller and a little less
> expensive. Clothing, furniture, housewares. Sat, Sun, Mon 7am-7pm. Metro
> Porte de Montreuil
>
> Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves, considered the most casual
> and least organized of these markets. Odds and ends, furniture, clothing.
> Great for bargain-hunting browsers. Sat, Sun, Mon 7am-7pm. Metro Porte de
> Vanves.

----------

> Author: Susan ([email protected])
> Date: 1/02/2001, 12:16 pm ET
>
> Message: I've been reading Sandy Price's "Exploring the Flea
> Markets of France" (recommended on this forum) Has lots of good info.
[snip!]

----------

> Author: elvira ([email protected])
> Date: 1/02/2001, 4:29 pm ET
>
> Message: I like Vanves bcause it is real flea market stuff (old
> kitchen and farm utensils, books, buttons, tacky lamps, etc.) that I
> can afford, but be sure to go in the morning; in the afternoon, the
> plastic junk vendors take over
[snip!]

----------

> Author: Carol ([email protected])
> Date: 1/03/2001, 10:39 am ET
>
> Message: The neighborhood brocantes are really the most fun (and
> where I spent the most money). You can get a schedule with dates/times/
> arrondisements which is usually at least six months out from the Paris
> tourist website (search for "second-hand markets" in the English
> version). The site is www.paris-touristoffice.com. Bonne chance!

----------

frank

Yes, by all means bargain.

gloria

Hello, fellow Fleamrkt lover,
You received good information thus far,the Marche aux Puces being the best IMHO in Paris. I went to an auction house (I'll have to look up the name on this, it's been a couple of years) but, it is mostly attended by people in the trade.
The best market in the world, and I would save my money for that, is the London Portobello market. As I recall, it is held only on Saturdays. I believe it has it's own Metro stop, any guidebook will get you there. And, I would arrive by nine a.m. Usually attendance gets to 100,000. We were there by 8ish,when it was quieter, had a chance to look around, and left by noon. You will find a little of everything there. It encompasses several blocks, and is not just on the street but includes the shops and alleyways beyond. This is one of the largest, if not the largest, flea market in the world...I found some lovely crystal knife rests, a clock, and some vintage fabric. Silver is a big item, of course. But, you'll fing something!!!Let me know what you think
of it when you return!
Cheerio!
Gloria

gloria

Bargaining...You may look to get 10% on most things, up to 25% on more expensive items. The prices were pretty firm ina the a.m. at Portobello.
I've had better luck negotiating at the smaller markets.

cate

I'm assuming the london portobello is in London, but then you mentioned a metro stop, which is in Paris, right? and that threw me....Thanks everyone for the info, very helpful

gloria

Hi, Cate,
No, to your question about the Metro stop I mentioned being located in Paris. The Metro stop I indicated is(I think) the Portobello stop in London. The metro (Tube) stop is only about 3-4 blocks from the market. When you arrive at the stop, ask anyone how to get to the market, or follow the crowd. I'm redecorating and my travel info is not available for a day or two.
Check this post again on Saturday and I'll make sure to clarify the info given.

gloria

Hi, Cate,
I checked my information and found the Portobello Market tube stop is Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove. We went to Notting Hill, walked about three blocks, and started in. My Fodor's book says there is 1500 dealers. I have no doubt that this is true.
This market is far and away the best I've been to. Guaranteed to find something.
I went to The Camden Markets...lots of cheap, new stuff. Wasn't impressed.
Have a great time!

Elsa

Does anyone know if the Portobello flea market(s) is/are open on Sunday also, or just Sat.?

Gloria

Elsa, I understand that the antiques flea market is held Friday, 8-3: and Saturday 6-5 only. Fruits and vegetables markets are held here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
I don't see anything in my brochures and books about Sundays, nor do I recall hearing that it was open Sundays.
I hope this helps! Take your Visa with you, I'm warning you...
Have fun,
Gloria

bargainshopper

Fellow flea marketers....anyone know of any good markets in Dublin?