My wife and I would like to visit the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen flea market while in Paris. Does anyone have any comments about it?

I know that I have written about my experiences there on this forum; you can find some of this within the text of my report linked below. Other than that, I am not sure what specific information you are seeking, but you can find maps of the market here:

http://www.parispuces.com/FR/Default...e_environ.html


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34894706

The critical thing is to visit the actual markets, not the collection of junk stalls that stands between the markets and the Metro stop. Do not expect bargains!

More info:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34920272

The reason we chose this flea market is it is supposed to be the first flea market. We enjoy flea markets, and we thought even if we didn't buy anything, it would be an adventure.

It will be that.

I have not been to that flea market so I can't say. I went to the Puces de Vanves because others recommended it more highly. I have been there twice and liked it very much. But it is not as big, or the oldest. Wish I could visit them all!

The St. Ouen "flea" market is nothing like a typical flea market in the US. If you take a look at the map I posted above, you will see that it is divided into a number of smaller "markets," each one with a slightly different character. The merchandise is all over the place, ranging from Deco leather chairs to sterling tea services to old postcards to antiques of every stripe. Prices range from a few euro (rare) to the many thousands.

Sellers can arrange shipping.

Vanves is good. Much smaller and a bit more like what you might think of as a flea market. Again, no real bargains. I spent a morning there last spring and liked it..lots of porcelain, glass, art, etc, laid out more or less in a long line with a "T" at the end.

Where is the Vanves? Would Saturday morning also be a good time to go?

Yes..Saturday is good; here is some info on Vanves:

http://pucesdevanves.typepad.com/le_...elcome_en.html

Vanves on Saturday is a lot of fun. You can cover it easily in a couple of hours, and you might even find something to pick up.
What Scrunchy says about the Puces is all true. When my parents lived in Paris in the 20's it was a "flea market" and they bought a lot of things. It is now a huge area of permanent shops and "mall" type buildings with booths. Many of the shops are "branches" of shops in Paris proper. There is a great deal of specialization--18th century lighting, shop of Belle Epoque mirrors, etc. I have stopped even going--I can buy the same here in the US for less. The prices are eye watering!!

If you do go to the Saint-Ouen puces, try to go Saturday or Sunday. While it is open Monday, many stalls are closed.

The markets where I have found some affordable collectibles are the Marche Paul Bert and the Marche Vernaison, which is also the most picturesque and possibly oldest part of the market. Even if you find no bargains, the photography is lots of fun and the experience is definitely colorful.

Any descriptive info on "Les Puces de Montreuil"..? I've been to Saint-Ouen and Vanves a few times...

Vanves sounds like more our style. Again, even if we don't buy anything, it should be an adventure.

Watch your purses, day packs and pockets

Incredibly in one of the halls a young boy brazenly tried to pickpocket my friend and his mother, a vendor just looked on. I felt like smacking the tyke - he was not playing around either

The streets are so congested outside as well so be careful.