We lucked out and had three perfect sunny days in Paris! And despite the fact that D had a bad cold - he took me to the flea market on Saturday and Sunday! Have I mentioned how much he HATES flea markets? Thank god for his blackberry.
On Saturday we ventured one of the largest flea markets in Paris, Porte de Clinghancourt officially known as Les Puces de Saint-Ouen but know to everyone as Les Puces (the fleas). This flea market was opened in 1885!
Boy do they have the junk!
A bit expensive for me.
But still fun to visit.
The next day we went to the flea market at Porte de Vanves. This is my favorite of the Paris flea markets as you can still find a bargain here.
As always, I managed to find treasures to purchase. My best find of the trip - Fashion magazines dated 1919. 10 euros! Each has 12 or so pages. This is cheaper than photocopies in Europe - ohhhh but can I use the originals???
Packed with beautiful photos - color and B&W.
I was drawn to these boxes (7 euros for both). They look like they are from a card game. And red rickrack (three euros) for my holiday cards. What pretty packaging.
These are swatches of wallpaper and fabric from 1910. Two for 5 euros. Wished I would have bought more.
And more....postcards! Most were 1 euro each. I found several with swings - I have decided to focus on swings. They are hard to find.
This one was so humorous. I think the nun is the older brother dressed up. Do you think anyone really sent this as a Christmas card?
Okay, now a preview of the stuff I did not buy. I have noticed two things about the Porte de Vanves flea market this year. First, the vendors are listing prices on items, and second, they are really investing time merchandising their displays and making the booths look beautiful.
This was my favorite booth - and she had us American-Somerset Studio fans pegged to a tee! This is where I bought the wallpaper samples.
Her prices were high but not outrageously so.
Have you even had to fight another person for a treasure? I have, but this battle was one of the more difficult encounters!
I said Pardon Monsiour, but he would not move for me. He was guarding the postcards for life...must have been a real treasure in there.
This was another of my favorite booths.
I think she must have to arrive at 4 am to get it ready for the crowds.
A few other booths worth taking a look at.
more buttons
and lace
and tins
and clown shoes!
and a very bored husband. Using the bus stop as a seat!
Always love my trips to Paris!!! If you would like to read more about this trip - hop over to our travel blog Donald and Cathy's European Adventure.
OMG! I went to Clignancourt!! I went to Vanves!! I took photos of those cameras, too!! Too bad we were not there at the same time :-) It rained the day we went to Vanves, so most of the paper goods and fabric items were covered up :-( On our way to Vanves, we met a couple from San Francisco - pretty funny! My husband got bored at Cignancourt so he sat on a chair that was for sale - oh, they waved their hands in disgust at him - no buy, no sit!!
Posted by: Karen Burns | 10/08/2010 at 05:55 PM
This is simply amazing. The buttons and lace and, and... I will never get there myself and so appreciate you sharing. You take wonderful photos and I see you submit to Somerset. You should consider submitting to Artful Blogging. You really do an amazing job capturing the eye candy!
Posted by: Kathy | 10/13/2010 at 01:46 PM