My 13-year-old daughter and I will be visiting Paris in April, she for the first time. Any insights as to which of the major flea markets would be more appealing (and how they differ) would be helpful. Thanks.

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The really big flea market is at Port de Clignancourt..it is supposed to be the worlds largest flea mkt.It opens early around 5:30am,that is when the serious shoppers/dealers are there.THe market is made up of lots of markets(Marche)and each deals in particular items, furniture,art,records,glass etc.There are really very few bargains but it is fun searching, and the people there can be fun to watch..there are small cafes/bistros where you can have a nice lunch,usually surrounded by the dealers..If you collect anything, you will probably find it there!there are books that tell you where and what the various flea markets specialize in, we always go to this one, because it is so big, everything is there! Have fun~c

Go to<BR>http://www.paris-touristoffice.com/<BR>then click on "Site Map", then find "Flea Markets" (The actual URL is too long to reproduce here.)<BR>There's a list of the flea markets.<BR><BR>We went to the Vanves flea market, easy to get to on the number 13 metro, Vanves stop, in 14th district. It's every Saturday. Large, but not overwhelming in size, like the Puces de St-Ouen on the north end of this line.<BR>Good for hours of pleasant browsing, though the "antique" prices on the brocante seemed kind of high to me. I didn't know enough French to feel comfortable bargaining, so I ended up getting nothing! Which must be a first for me and flea markets.

Dina, I thought that my pathetic attempts at French would hinder me also, but it was amazing how quickly those dealers remembered their English when helping me figure out francs to dollars and haggling over prices..although I think it is fun even if you don't buy~C

c, I did have fun---I never met a flea market I didn't like. That same trip I went to the Portabello Market in London, the elegant brocante market in Nice, the crazy weekend thing in Athens' Plaka, and the city of Naples, which seemed like one giant flea market.<BR>Not to mention Rome, where we got bites in a flea-bag hotel.<BR>Sorry for the digression, Andi!

OMG! my dream come true, life is but a whole bunch of fleas!!<BR>did you do better at the others? is Portabello more than just junk? Do you collect something in particular that you look for or just whatever catches your fancy?candice

Candice, Whatever catches my fancy, but in particular I look for items that I can use to make bellydance costumes. Rhinestone brooches and necklaces, chains, silk chiffon scarves, gold brocades, ethnic jewelry, pendant earrings, snake rings, tassels, silk flowers, beaded bags, slinky dresses, you get the picture. <BR>And indeed I saw some at Portobello market and the rest, but I had to mostly restrain myself. I knew the real temptations were 6 weeks ahead in Egypt, and we had a tight budget. I have lots of flea market pictures on my travelogue pages, www.costumegoddess.com/travelog.htm<BR>

"C" is right, the markets are fun even if you don't buy! Great experience. If you go to Puces de St-Ouen, don't go really early - we did, and the stalls with the "old stuff" weren't open yet. However, a very kind Frenchman explained this to us and showed us where to get a coffee while we waited. It made for a nice morning.

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