Friday, August 26, 2005

The attic of the world!


Like all large cities Paris has a flea market. Actually several (Montreuil, Vanves...) but the largest and by far the most famous is Porte de Saint-Ouen in the north of Paris. These flea markets origins go back to the time where there was a wall around Paris - to protect it - called "Les fortifications" (which erection started in 1840). At that time Chiffoniers (rag-and-bone men) used to browse the city garbage at night and dig out everything that was sellable. They would then bring their treasure to the main city gates (Montreuil, Vanves, Kremlin Bicêtre and Clignancourt) hoping to sell some of their stuff to travellers. Soon, they decided to group together and gave birth to… Les puces (Flea market).

Put this photo on a card, mug, t-shirt, bag and more here!

12 comments:

  1. Yay! Thanks for mentioning it. If you could only go to one flea market during a quick visit to Paris, would St. Ouen be the one to choose?

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  2. Hello Michèle. Difficult to tell. Saint Ouen is definitely the most impressive, but I have a partiality for Vanves...

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  3. I still cannot believe that I have never gone to Les Puces in all of my visits to Paris. I am making a HUGE mental note right now to go next summer!

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  4. Thanks for the picture. My husband and I went to Vanves Flea market in July. I know I paid too much for the few things I got but I smile and know I got it in Paris...and even TRIED to bargain for it.

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  5. i was expecting a picture from kong restaurant for today...;-))

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  6. WOW Eric What a great pic! I love the red! We have swap meets here in California as well but the ones I've been to mostly junk, or cheap (as in wont last more than a couple of months) cheap clothes. Where I live at we have an Indoor swap meet. Its not bad there are actually a few cool shops. To find stuff like in your pic I would check out The Antique Mall. Have A Great Weekend.

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  7. hmm, Eric, I think those are spam messages? Anyway, yes, Les Puces, I'm with you Elisabeth on this one. Mental note to go next time! :)

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  8. > Sophie. Yes spam on comments is picking up here. But so far it's very limited so I can easily remove it.

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  9. > LoveinB&W. Thanks. The WE is over now, but thank you. We also have Brocantes (Small flea markets) but no Garage sales (vides greniers). I suppose because we do not really have garages in Paris!!

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