Where to Shop in Paris for Antiques, Flea Market Treasures, & Vintage Finds

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Where to Find Thrift Shops in the Marais?

Kathy's Question:

We are going to be in Paris in May and June.  We are staying in Marais.

My question is about thrift shops: where can I find them, and which ones do you recommend?

Susan's Answer: 

Thrift shopping, retro styles, and vintage fashions are super-trendy in Paris right now, and the Marais is an epicenter for friperies (ie, secondhand clothes shops), with lots of options ranging from cheap to pricey. 

At the (usually) cheapest end of the spectrum, here are three shop “brands” to look for in (or very near) the Marais: Kilo Shop (you literally pay based on weight), Freep'Star (37 Rue du Temple), plus 3 locations on Rue de las Verrerie: 52, 61, and 92, all in the 4th), and Emmaüs (22 Blvd Beaumarchais - in the 11th, but across the street from the 4th; uses its profits to help disadvantaged people).  All have other shops across the city. 

The Upper Marais (3rd arr) tends to be where some of the higher-end thrift shops are located, possibly because this is the part of the Marais with lots of smaller independent boutiques in general, but you'll also find some good bargains here, as well as some pricier but lovely treasures.  

Specifically, start at Place de la République and stroll down Rue Beranger (look for RYO at #20), and then where it ends at a small rotary, go down Rue Charlot (or briefly go up to visit Nice Shop Vintage at #76, shown in the above photo) - at #65, you'll spot Bimbo, at #58, Bleu Velours, at #29 Charlot Vintage, plus scattered among all of them, you'll see a number of pop-ups.  

When you reach Rue de Poitou, turn left.  Once you reach Rue Vielle du Temple, you're in the heart of the Marais' vintage area.  

You could explore at random but for a more structured approach, here's what I would do: turn left and walk up Rue Vielle du Temple for a block, turn right onto Rue Turenne, and sort of zig-zag around as you explore this entire area.  End up on Rue Turenne, and go east on Rue du Pont aux Choux - more vintage shops and popups.  

Once you reach Boul' Beaumarchais, turn right.  You'll immediately see Merci (a famous “concept” store) - lovely clothing (and I believe that some of it is refurbished vintage) and other items but very, very expensive.  

Then continue down the boulevard, and you'll spot many more vintage shops - also beautifully curated and styled (although nothing surpasses Merci), but also no bargains.

If you spend much time exploring this area, you may eventually want something to eat or drink.  Avoid the spots, mostly chains, right around Place de la Republique (except for Bouillon Republique, which is quite good).  Once you're more than a block or two from the plaza, you really can't make a wrong choice - just pick whatever appeals to you.  

Some of my favorites include Cafe Philippe (4 Rue Dupetit-Thouars) and other bistros along this small street - just check the menus and choose the one you find most appealing - there's also at least one vintage shop here as well; Ya Lamaï Thai Restaurant (across from Slow Galerie mentioned below, with a vintage store next door), and Ke Chuan (143 Rue Amelot) home-style Vietnamese cuisine.  Also up at 153 Rue Amelot, there's what appears to be a vintage shop - no clue what the hours are or what the merchandise is like because I've never found it open - but it looks interesting, and maybe you'll have better lucky than me for getting in.

Also, slightly off topic but since we're discussing shopping, here are a couple of my own favorite non-thrift/vintage spots in this general area: for French skincare products, Apothical Pharmacie de la Place de Republique (in Passage Vendome, at the southeastern corner of the plaza - the sales associate in the skincare dept is very knowledgeable and helpful, plus good prices) and for appealing framed original contemporary prints with affordable prices, Slow Galerie (5 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11th arr, on the other side Blvd Beaumarchais which divides the 3rd and 11th).

What Smaller Paris Flea Markets Do You Recommend?

Rhonda's Question:

My daughter and I will be staying at Timhotel Palais Royal in the 2nd arrondissement May 1st-6th. This is our first trip to Paris. 

I’d like your guidance on the weekend flea markets. My daughter loves treasure hunting, particularly clothes and jewelry and small keepsakes. She wants to go to Marches aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, but I am not keen on taking the Metro and dealing with the crowds (pickpockets).

I would much prefer smaller local flea markets that we could walk to. What would you recommend?  Many thanks!

Susan's Answer: 

Your hotel is in a wonderful area - I often stay near there myself and know that neighborhood well.

Paris has three smaller flea markets in addition to the big Les Puces, which is actually the biggest flea market in the world.  The one closest to your hotel is the Marché d'Aligre in the 12th arrondissement, about a 6-7 minute walk from Place de la Bastille and about 1.5 miles (so about a half-hour walk) from your hotel.  

There are actually three market areas in this spot: the Marché, a covered market with all kinds of produce, meats, fish, wonderful cheese, bakery items, etc, a large outdoor market along Rue d'Aligre offering mostly produce plus a couple of flower vendors, and the flea market which has a little of everything - vintage prints, jewelry, old books, clothing, old toys, dinnerware, decorative items, traditional items from West Africa, old hardware, sometimes furniture.  Your daughter might easily find things of interest here.  

It's definitely hit-or-miss.  However, I recently spotted a gorgeous high-quality red wool coat in perfect condition, from maybe around 1990, for 40€.  I almost bought it, but then sadly realized I probably wouldn't wear it often enough to justify the closet space.

Marché d'Aligre is open every day except Mondays until 1:30pm during the week and 2:30pm on weekends.  For best selections at the flea market, weekends are best. 

Other areas that your daughter might enjoy exploring as part of her quest for treasures are Paris's historic covered passages (your hotel is at the side of one of the fanciest ones, Galerie Vivienne).   Each one has a different focus and mix of items, so she might visit as many as her time allows.

There is also a twice-weekly market a couple of blocks from your hotel on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am-8pm, in front of Paris's old stock exchange building (the Bourse, or Palais Brongniart) and the Bourse metro station.  Walk up Rue de la Banque to Rue du 4 Septembre/Place de la Bourse, and you'll see it.  It's mostly food, but there are usually a few vendors selling pre-worn clothing.  I've seen some cute things there - mostly recent vintage, but it's very hit or miss.  I wouldn't recommend that anyone go out of their way to visit it because it's so small, but since it's practically on your doorstep, it might be worth checking out.

Finally, look for signs advertising popup brocantes and vide-greniers, usually on the weekends.  May is usually a good time to find them.

Wishing your daughter great luck and happy hunting, and I hope you both enjoy your first trip to Paris.

Where to Shop for Vintage & Antique Dolls?

Mary Lee's Question:

My question concerns places to find vintage and antique dolls and accessories as well as antique sewing tools.

My husband and I will be in Paris in October for 3 days, and plan to visit the Vanves flea market and the covered passages in the 9th and 2nd arrondissements.

Are there certain shops or vendors that we should search out?

Susan's Answer: 

In addition to the Vanves flea market and the covered passages, I would also suggest going to Les Puces, the big flea market in Saint-Ouen just north of Montmartre - in particular, the Vernaison market to the right as you enter the area, and perhaps also Dauphine to the left (if you click on the link above, scroll down and you'll see a map).

I'm fairly certain that I've seen vintage and possibly antique dolls in Vernaison, and I think perhaps also in Dauphine (maybe upstairs?). Just beware that although the areas look fairly small on the map, in actuality they're huge and maze-like, so allow as much time as possible to spend there.

Les Puces might also be the place to find vintage sewing tools as well. There are definitely vendors there who sell vintage buttons, trims, fabrics, etc., but I can't remember if I've ever seen sewing tools. If so, they were probably in the Vernaison or Dauphine market, as they're the most eclectic and esoteric. Another place to look, just as you're walking around, is in the streets surrounding the Drouot Auction House as the area is packed with small vintage and antique shops - mostly things like stamps, coins, decor, and home furnishings, but other things as well.

In Passage Jouffroy in the 9th arrondissement, you might want to stop by Pain d'Epices toy store. Although (as far as I recall from the times I've shopped there),they carry only new items, they almost always have vintage-style doll houses on display so you might ask them about where to find antique or vintage dolls.

There's also a store, Maison de Poupée, (40 Rue de Vaugirard) in the 6th arrondissement that you might want to check out.  I believe that it's open by appointment only - but definitely check out their website to see some of the dolls they might have available.

There also used to be a "museum" - actually, the owner's private collection - near the entrance to Jardin Anne Frank near Centre Pompidou in the 4th but it closed a year or two before the pandemic, although its old sign was still in place the last time I visited the garden about a year ago.

Finally, if you have time, you might also check out the Aligre Flea Market.  Although I've never seen vendors with antique sewing tools or vintage dolls there, the mix of vendors as well as their offerings do differ each week - so you could be pleasantly surprised!

Should I Visit Foire de Chatou while I'm in Paris?

We are arriving in Paris in late September for a 3 night stay. I see this week is also Foire de Chatou Antique and Collections Fair.  Do you recommend taking a 1/2 day to go see?

Susan's Answer:

Definitely yes, if you want to!  As you probably already know, Foire de Chatou is France's largest antiques, vintage, and collectables fair and takes place only twice each year, once in March and once in September.  It's easy to get to from Paris (there's a short description of the fair plus directions near the end of PDG's September in Paris article.

What makes Foire de Chatou so famous is its vast variety of top-quality items - everything from 18th century gilded mirrors to vintage kitchenware and linens, lighting fixtures, silver, furniture, jewelry, prints and all kinds of other artwork, china, and decor. 

You're expected to bargain (although you don't have to) and most vendors will negotiate.  If you're buying just one item, try for 20% off, and be happy if you get a 10% reduction.  If you're buying multiple items, ask for a 30% reduction and feel good if the vendor knocks off 15% (although I might press hard for 20%).

3 Tips:

• If you see something you're interested in, don't hesitate to quickly pick it up; otherwise, someone else will
• Go as early in the day as possible to get first pick - but remember, vendors rotate what's on display so if you see a stand with items you like, return later in the day and look for new items
• Bring a large foldable shopping bag with you for carrying your purchases back to Paris; if you buy something too large to carry, head to the tent that arranges for world-wide shipping

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