Visiting Marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves

When Kevin and I were on our honeymoon to Paris last October, I was quite keen to visit flea markets and so Kevin did his research. We woke up bright and early on a Saturday morning and made our way down to the flea market at Porte de Vanves. One thing I love about combing through the stands at flea markets - You never know what you'll find. Maybe I'll get lucky and bring home a vintage Hermes scarf or two, or maybe I'll score some vintage trinkets, the thrill is in the hunt! There's so much to look at and it's best to arrive early before all the best finds get snapped up. When we arrived, the vendors were all set up on the streetside under tentage or shady trees with their wares downloaded from their vans. It was a very casual and relaxed environment with vendors passing time with a game of cards or chess (some of them smoking even!) while people walked through the place. Some (both shoppers and vendors) also bring their dogs out to the flea markets too. I can see why flea markets are the best things to do on the weekend. ;)


It's a long stretch of street (actually 2) to walk, and items such as tableware, china, clothes, vintage jewellery, old vinyl records, paintings, books, and scarves all make their appearance here. Don't be afraid to dig through the carton of scarves to see if you find one that you love!






Look at that beautiful picnic basket! Wished I could bring it home but there's no luggage space :(


I have a thing for vintage brooches...








Postcards displayed in shoeboxes for your picking!




I spotted these curious looking items and the vendor shared that jewellery from perfumers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricci (and more) from 1970s and 1980s. They were given when people buy a bottle of perfume then, these were original pieces from that time and the manufacturer had gained permission to sell the stock. After much deliberation, I got a Nina Ricci frosted bottle necklace with doves on it. The vendor even took time to wrap it in red tissue paper and then placed it in a paper bag for me.... it added a touch of fancy, making my new buy feel so precious!


We came across a mobile truck selling crepes and we got one to share!

At the end of our visit, I had bought a couple of vintage hair clips, clip-on earrings, old postcards, brooches and of course that vintage perfume bottle necklace. Flea markets are great for souvenir-shopping because there's no better reminder of a trip than something you can wear over and over again. Even better when it gives you the opportunity to say off-handedly, "Oh, this? I got it in Paris." ;)

Now everytime I put on my necklace, I remember the scene of the flea market, with table after tables of curios laid out by the vendors and people digging through boxes (on their knees even) to find hidden gems to bring home. Oh, and what a trip it was :)