Paris Flea Market in Saint-Ouen is one of the most picturesque and interesting shopping venues of the city. Take pictures, buy souvenirs, have lunch, find something unique. You can easily spend there half a day. Paris markets. Shopping in Paris.
Paris Flea Market facts
Operating since 1885, the famous Paris Flea Market (Le Marché aux Puces) extends over six hectares in Saint-Ouen, a city bordering Paris.
It attracts 70 000 shoppers every week to its 1000 traders for fashion, handicrafts, used clothes and 2500 merchants for antiques.
In the 1950ies and 1960ies, you could buy great antiques at bargain prices in the Paris Flea Market. This is rarely the case anymore, but the Flea Market remains a fascinating shopping venue to visit. Choice is plenty, allowing you to buy something unique. Prices are moderate to high.
The picturesque Flea Market is a true Parisian shopping experience.
Each shop is fascinating
Paris Flea Market hours
The Paris Flea Market is open from 8 am to 12am on Fridays, 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 5pm on Mondays (fewer shops open).
Paris printable Flea Market map
Paris Flea Market maps
The Flea Market is composed of 14 separate markets (Marchés) with their own atmosphere and good assortment, all within walking distance. Use the map below to visit them all.
Download Printable Paris Flea Market map pdf with detailed information and history of Flea Market
Locate the Flea Market on the map.
Paris Flea Market metro stop
Metro: Garibaldi station, line 13. 15' walk to the Flea Market.
Paris Flea Market is famous
Flea market apartment and hotel map
The 14 markets of Paris Flea Market
Saint-Ouen has 14 covered markets.
- Antica: Furniture and objects of 18th and 19th centuries. 99 rue des Rosiers. - Biron: Asian arts, furniture of 18th, 19th, 20th centuries. 85 rue des Rosiers. - Cambo: Charming market. 75 rue des Rosiers. - Dauphine: Antiques, books and art restorers. 140 rue des Rosiers. - L'Entrepôt: Bulky goods (stairs, libraries, chimneys, etc.). 80 rue des Rosiers. - The factory: reserved for professionals - 1, Villa des Rosiers. - Jules Vallès: market for enlightened bargain hunters. 7/9 rue Jules Vallès. - Malassis: Antiques and decoration, from 17th to 20th centuries. 142 rue des Rosiers. - The Passage: clothes, furniture, old books, military effects. 27. rue Lecuyer. - Paul Bert: market trends, furniture, objects of art and decoration of 17th century. 18 rue Paul Bert and 96 rue des Rosiers. - Roses: Lighting, works of art of 20th century. 3 rue Paul Bert. - Serpette: Inescapable place for art lovers, from antiquity to the 70's. High-end objects. 110 rue des Rosiers. - Vernaison: Ancient objects, scientists, toys, glassware. 99 rue des Rosiers. - Malik: New clothes and fashion designers. 53 rue Jules Vallès.
Paul Bert Flea Market is in Saint-Ouen
Paris Flea Market detailed history
After the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, the rag-and-bone men who had been ousted from Paris built the first merchant villages in Saint-Ouen. These wandering scavengers were nicknamed “bone pickers”, “rag grabbers” and “street grubbers”, and also, more poetically, “moonlight sinners” as they would roam through towns at night looking for discarded items or rubbish that they went on to sell at the markets.
The year 1885 saw the official opening of the Paris flea market. The town of Saint-Ouen rallied together to cleanse and secure the area. The merchants wishing to sell their wares there had to pay for the right to do business there. Newspapers published complimentary reports about the market between 1905 and 1914. More and more Parisians would come here on Sundays, in keeping with their tradition of going for a walk outside the city walls.
After WWI, the Flea Market became so popular that businessmen bought up the land surrounding the rue des Rosiers. They built streets and connected certain stalls with the water and electricity networks and sold these spots at a very high price. This is how the first four markets were established between 1920 and 1938. They were the Marché Vernaison, the Marché Malik, the Marché Biron and the Marché Jules Vallès.
From that time on, the flea market became a very fashionable place, famous for its cafés, bistros, restaurants and entertaining activities. At the time, the many bistros in the area were very popular with the new working population of Saint-Ouen. This community started to mix with that of the gypsies who were also living here in caravans. The gypsies brought life to the town with their music, the Gypsy Jazz. The famous Django Reinhardt was known to have played at Les Puces, as well as in many open-air cafés from here to Montmartre.
Between 1946 and 1991, 12 other markets were set up for trading.
Paris Flea Market left bank
The city has a second Flea Market at Porte de Vanves in the left bank of the Seine River. Located in a no tourist area, this Flea Market is smaller and totally outdoor.
Marché aux Puces Porte de Vanves
Avenue Marc Sangnier
Paris 75014 France
The Paris Flea Market left bank is open Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 2pm all year round.
Locate Paris flea market left bank on Paris map.
Paris metro: Porte de Vanves station, line 13
Porte de Vanves is in the left bank
