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Tucked away just beyond Paris’s city gates, the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen—often called the Puces de Clignancourt—is a treasure trove of vintage charm and historical curiosity. Stretching across seven hectares in Saint-Ouen, this is no ordinary market. It’s the largest antique market in the world, home to more than 2,000 dealers and a magnet for over 180,000 visitors each weekend.
The market’s roots go back to the late 17th century, when Parisian rag-and-bone men gathered here to sell second-hand goods. Today, it's evolved into a labyrinth of 12 themed sub-markets, where collectors, decorators, celebrities, and curious travelers all mingle in search of timeless finds. Whether you’re after a Louis XV chair, a punk-era leather jacket, or a rare 1930s film poster, the market delivers a magical mix of eras and styles.
Each of the sub-markets has its own distinct identity. Marché Paul Bert Serpette is a hotspot for design lovers with mid-century gems and museum-worthy pieces. Marché Vernaison is the oldest and most eclectic, a maze of charming stalls filled with vintage textiles, toys, and curios. For classical antiques and fine furniture, head to Marché Biron or Marché Dauphine. And for industrial treasures like wrought-iron gates or old spiral staircases, Marché l’Entrepôt never disappoints.
The full list includes: Marché Antica, Biron, Cambo, Dauphine, Jules Vallès, le Passage, Malassis, l’Entrepôt, Paul Bert Serpette, L'Usine, Rosiers, and Vernaison. Each one offers a unique atmosphere—some elegant and curated, others quirky and chaotic. Together, they make the Puces a place of endless discovery.
Yet, the Puces are not just about shopping. The streets hum with the energy of accordion players, local cafés, and impromptu jazz gigs. Art lovers, stylists, and film scouts stroll alongside bargain-hunters, sipping espressos between stalls. For a break, stop by Ma Cocotte, a Philippe Starck-designed brasserie at the heart of the market, or tuck into a croque-monsieur at one of the many old-school cafés.
To make the most of your visit, arrive early—especially on weekends—and bring cash for easier negotiation. Most stalls are open Saturday through Monday, and serious collectors recommend focusing on Saturday mornings for the best finds. A good pair of shoes is a must; you’ll cover serious ground.
For newcomers, the Saint-Ouen Tourist Office offers guided walking tours of the Puces, as well as audio guides in French (group tours are available upon request). These can offer fascinating insights into the market’s colorful history and best-kept secrets.
If the sheer size of Saint-Ouen feels overwhelming, the Marché aux Puces de Vanves offers a more intimate experience. With around 350 vendors, it’s a great alternative for early risers and vintage lovers looking for a quieter, more affordable hunt.
From 18th-century armoires to art deco jewelry, every corner of the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen holds a story. It’s not just a market—it’s a cultural ritual, a living museum, and one of the most iconic places to shop in all of Paris.
Marketplace Highlights
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18th century antiques
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19th century antiques
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20th century antiques
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Antique districts
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Antique mirrors
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Architectural salvage
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Bronze & Sculptures
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Collectibles
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Free admission
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Industrial design
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Lighting fixtures
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Militaria
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Open weekdays
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Open weekends
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Paris
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Size: 999+ stalls
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Top 30 in the world
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Top 50 in Europe
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Vintage toys
Maureen Marsh
30th October 2015 at 17:19The next time you look at an interior design magazine and read that certain items came from the Paris Flea Market, know that they were not cheap little creative finds. They probably cost in the hundreds of Euros. But talk about truly cool stuff! The most amazing designer costume jewelry, art deco silver coffee sets, full sets of Christofle silver, sets of china, artisanal majolica, old furs, skin handbags, antique toys, mid-century clothes, and antique linens galore. Laces, christening caps, copper ware and all kinds of other stuff.
Lila Nguyen
1st December 2015 at 21:35I have been there on a Saturday afternoon and I have deeply appreciated the atmosphere you can breathe there. the market is wide and full of original vintage pieces at reasonable prices even though in some corners you may find proper shops with nice vintage clothes for unreasonably very expensive prices. Anyway it definitely is worth a visit !
Scott Sanders
9th February 2016 at 23:43I really enjoyed finally visiting this “Bucket List” attraction. I am an experienced “market” shopper for all types of French markets all over this wonderful country. This particular market lends itself well to bigger ticket items such as furnishings, art and expensive collectibles. There are many areas that make-up this market. So it’s worth planning where to start and where to finish ahead of time. Don’t plan to find a bargain at this market. But you could find a French treasure that you never expected to discover! A “must see” for any true lover of French markets.
Chelsea Stokes
14th April 2016 at 07:38If you like antiques or poking around markets and second hand shops this is the one to go to. A huge variety of stalls selling everything from buttons and antique light switches to fantastic furniture from old properties. It is difficult to get around and cover as there are so many areas. We focused on Marché Vernaison as I was looking for lace and old linens. I saw some amazing pieces worth a lot of money but exchange rates prevented me getting carried away and I was careful to only buy what I couldn’t get at home and for a reasonable price… I found a few nice pieces and happy to take away a little Paris with me!
Priscilla Carr
23rd April 2016 at 17:04We had a perfectly sublime Sunday wandering around all of the different “markets”. After reading tons of mixed reviews, I was a bit sketchy as to whether I even wanted to go check this out. SO glad we did as there are just tons of beautiful antiques and “second hand items” as well. You won’t find the deal of the century most likely, but you will find something cool, I guarantee it. We decided to forgo the metro and just took an uber in and out. If you do take the metro, just have a map and know where you’re headed. Make a bee line for Rue des Rosiers and you’re in the thick of the good stuff without all the pushy ‘outside’ vendors that all the other reviews mention…all of that garbage is on the fringe, get to the middle and stay in the markets for the most part. We found a few mid century bargains for 10 euros each, and had some great food at the gastronomic pub in one of the markets. More mid century modern stuff than I’ve ever seen in any one place and tons of beautiful, original antiques. We did more looking than buying, but if you like antiquing, thrifting, picking, etc…you’ll love this. We spent 6 hours there and probably saw half of the markets. Didn’t feel crowded or cramped and didn’t see any sketchy pickpockets or anything like that, but I could see how that might be an issue on the “fringe”. Enjoy!!
Donna Palmer
10th June 2016 at 00:22A fascinating mixture of absolutely worthless kitsch and expensive and (presumably) genuine antiques. We traveled with had luggage only, otherwise I might have been tempted to buy some lovely art deco lamps…. The dealers will reduce their prices, so haggling is ok, as long as you’re realistic and polite. A MUST for Paris visitors!
Joel Chapman
4th August 2016 at 17:18Although it is quite fun to visit don’t come here expecting to find any good deals or realistic prices. There are various markets located on the Rue des Rosiers where you can find anything from vintage and curiosity to heavy antiques. However, they all have one thing in common and that is the next-to-insane pricing. First we were wondering if they had switched currencies because some of them were just plain ridiculous. We even found an Ikea chair which someone tried to sell as vintage!
I think there are many places where you can find better quality for more realistic prices if you are into vintage furniture and stuff (as a matter of facts, when in Amsterdam make sure to visit the IJ-hallen markets). Also the neighborhood was a bit rough, when you walk to the rue des rosiers you first pass a market filled with cheap imitation clothing en touts trying to sell cheap sunglasses. Just ignore them however and you’ll be fine.