Sunday at the Porte de Vanves Flea Market

Of the three largest weekend flea markets that lie on the outer edge of Paris, my family decided to visit the smallest and most manageable of the lot this past Sunday - the Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves in the southwestern part of the 14th arrondissement. It was a sunlit winter morning and a great opportunity for us to be out discovering part of the city we hadn't been to before and as well a family reconnaissance mission to scout out bargain furnishings for our new apartment…

The Vanves outdoor flea market includes around 380 official stalls, has a local feel and appeal and offers a trove of eclectic treasures - vintage and antique collectibles of all varieties. For purveyors and oglers of interesting objects, it is a dream... imagining all the stories and history imbued in each piece.

I ended up buying two small artisanal notebooks for 2 Euros, one for me and one for my older son. The vendor ended up giving us for free an extra carnet and one of the cardboard bobbins (shown above).  I had read how friendly the stallholders were at Vanves and it's true! We will definitely be back...

There's also freshly made crêpes sold at the main intersection, alongside a piano player performing on his old portable wooden instrument. I later found out he, Roland Godard, happens to be somewhat of a celebrity in this city. An added bonus :)

How to get there: 

Bus 58 or 95 toward Porte de Vanves 

Metro Line 13 / Station: Porte de Vanves 

Hours: Saturday & Sundays, 7am-1pm 

The other two big flea markets I hope to share with you soon: 

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen in the 18eme 

Les Puces de Montreuil in the 20eme

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