Have you ever imagined yourself wandering through the lengendary markets of the Marche Aux Puces de Saint Ouen, visiting sites made famous in countless movies and other media - and in PARIS??? Like so much of the City of Light, it's a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming kind of place but also a spectacular shopping experience - full of objects with provenance for real homes and businesses. Join me on a virtual tour.....
A delightful showroom in Marché Vernaison
We have a saying in our family, "It's good to be a regular!" And of course I would add, "...in Paris!!!" After a wonderful trip to Italy and France in 2014 to celebrate my 60th birthday, we returned to France last month and spent one blissful, languorous week in the sun at Hotel Le Hameau in St Paul de Vence and 3 active (!) weeks in Paris, in accomodations through Guest Apartment Services. We traveled to Paris (and France, generally) to assess trends at Maison et Objet (see my post on that here), shop at the Marché aux Puces and also the Village St Paul in the Marais, and - certainly not least - celebrate our 30th Anniversary....!
Ile St Louis is a perfect location - halfway between St Germain and le Marais
This year, we rented an apartment on l'ile St Louis and were found regularly at the cafe St Regis, on the northern tip (northwestern?) of the island. It's a grand place to while away the time watching people from all over the world discover Paris for the first time and try to pick out the locals, while sipping an extremely pale rosé or a chilled Chablis. The food there is very good, too....
We were regulars at the Cafe St Regis on Ile St Louis
Just a few step from Cafe St Regis is a pedestrian-only bridge accross the Seine leading to Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame. There are always musicians of one genre or another performing. Ahhhhh......
OK, on to the Flea Market.....
Having shopped at the Marché aux Puces last year, and now again this year, I guess we're almost regulars! There is really so much to see - it's over 20 acres of dealers' showrooms/stalls so it entails a huge amount of walking, though, being Paris, there are plenty of places to take a break for a meal and wine. But be sure to wear comfortable shoes anyway!
Here are some of my favorite images from our day this year:
Bachelier Antiquités never disappoints
Fun industrial chic
LOVE the juxtaposition of the retro motorbike and amethyst, amber and jade green glass bottles
I think I've found something interesting...
The coolest vintage clothing and jewelry
Guess who loved this dealer's place? I love the little Paris photo prop behind....
Those seltzer bottles!
....and these chairs
Sort of what you'd expect in the way of French furniture, though the white is unusual. (Does that wrinkled rug bother anyone else??)
Looks like a little village but is just one of the Marchés
A private restroom for vendors.....don't tell
Francois Bachelier et moi
While in Bachelier Antiquités, I found these wine box remnants and was given a super price, I guess because I bought so much there last year - or maybe it's because Bob made friends with Maman Bachelier.... Anyway, yes, it's good to be a regular!
