Shopping at the Paris antiques flea markets

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


First I have to apologize if you’ve been having problems with my blog or website. We migrated both to a new provider, so they were both down for a while during the transition. Everything should be fine now.

We were in Paris shopping for some great new items and had a much harder time than usual. Unfortunately many of the merchants we dealt with have died or retired, leaving only a few, with not a lot new to offer. We did manage to buy a few great items and we still have a couple of shopping days left, so we’re hopeful.

That's the regular flea market you'll pass on the way to the antiques flea markets

That’s the regular flea market you’ll pass on the way to the antiques flea markets

If you want to visit the Paris flea markets, take the Metro #4 train north to the last stop, Porte de Clignancourt. From there, keep walking north (head toward the overhead roadway called the Péripherique). First you’ll come to the standard flea market on your left, with clothing, souvenirs and all the usual stuff you’d expect to see.

The view looking east on Rue des Rosiers showing both the Marché Dauphine and Marché Malassis

The view looking east on Rue des Rosiers showing both the Marché Dauphine and Marché Malassis

Continue past the flea market and pass under the Péripherique. Walk one more block to rue des Rosiers and make a left. Technically, you’ve just left Paris and you’re in the suburb of St. Ouen (pronounced similarly to San Juan). You’re now at the start of many flea markets. There are so many markets and so many dealers, you’ll run out of time before you see them all. The first market you’ll pass on the left is called Marché Malassis. (Don’t get confused by the photo. It’s looking east and you’ll be walking west.) Then Marché Dauphine, Marché Vernaison, Marché Biron, Marché Paul Bert and Marché Serpette. And I’ve probably missed a couple. If you turn left at the corner before Marché Paul Bert, there’s more. The quality goes from junk to wonderful, with commensurate prices.

A look down one of the aisles in Marché Dauphine

A look down one of the aisles in Marché Dauphine

I’ve noticed many changes over the years. The most obvious was the change in styles. Many of the dealers were carrying more modern items than before, from the ’50s to the present. And quality Art Nouveau glass was getting a lot harder to find.

The view looking west on rue des Rosiers showing the Marché Paul Bert and Serpette

The view looking west on rue des Rosiers showing the Marché Paul Bert and Marché Serpette

Marché Paul Bert and Marché Serpette are adjacent, but Paul Bert is inside and Serpette is outside. Shippers are available right there in the markets, so you can buy anything, no matter the size, as long as you’re willing to pay.

The Seine looking west with a tour boat in the foreground and Notre Dame beyond

The Seine looking west with a tour boat in the foreground and Notre Dame beyond

If you like flea markets, you’ll have a great time. No matter what your taste, there will be something for you. The markets are open every weekend, with a few dealers open on Mondays.


winnetka-10-2015Our next show will be at the Winnetka Community House in Winnetka, IL, November 6-8, 2015. We used to exhibit at shows in the greater Chicago area 4-6 times yearly. Most of them have disappeared, so we now only exhibit in Chicago twice a year, once in the fall in Winnetka and once in the spring in Glencoe at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Too bad, because we like Chicago and have lots of friends and clients. We’re really looking forward to seeing you at the show, so please put the dates in your calendar.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Shopping for antiques in Paris

The Louvre des Antiquaires

The Louvre des Antiquaires

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


A depressing look down one of the aisles of the Louvre des Antiquaires, with all the shops closed

A depressing look down one of the aisles of the Louvre des Antiquaires, with all the shops closed

Upon arriving back in Paris for the first time in a year, we visited some old stomping grounds. First up was the Louvre des Antiquaires, purportedly closed. Well not quite yet. Our visit showed it was open, but barely. Almost every shop was closed, except for a select few. In its heyday, the center was bustling with activity. Getting a shop there required buying out someone’s existing lease with key money, usually hundreds of thousands of dollars. What a depressing difference!

Rue des Rosiers, the main street of the flea markets

Rue des Rosiers, the main street of the flea markets

Next up were the flea markets near Porte de Clignancourt – disappointing, but not depressing like the Louvre des Antiquaires. In its heyday, much of the business was done in the middle of the night, with flashlights. The action started early, with fierce competition for the best merchandise. Nowadays, the pace is much slower. The flea markets have clients milling about, but there is no frenetic competition. Many of the dealers I knew have retired, leaving very few to do business with.

Wonderful Daum vase with two applied and wheel-carved dragonflies

Wonderful Daum vase with two applied and wheel-carved dragonflies

The trip wasn’t a waste. I was still able to buy some goodies from a few dealers, some of whom hid their best items. If they don’t know you, you’ll never see them. I’ll start to list some of them on my site as soon as I get a little time.

Now off to Barcelona for a few days – a city I’ve never visited, but have heard lots about. Of prime interest will be the Art Nouveau architectural masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi. We’ll also check to see if it’s possible to buy antiques there, but I don’t really see that happening.

No post this Thursday. The next new post will be on Monday. The topic will be Barcelona.


No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, at the Denver Mart, EXPO Building, 451 East 58th Avenue, July 24-26, 2015. I’ll always be in touch, even while we’re in Europe, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.