“I love Paris in the Springtime…”, as the song goes. We have usually visited the city in a cold and damp Autumn and are finally visiting in the Spring. For five days, we are going to try non-touristy monuments, hard-to-find museums, gardens full of blossom and enjoy the day to day life offered in one of the world’s loveliest cities. This means a visit to one of the bigger brocantes/flea markets and hopefully a couple of local ones. It has become a passion of ours over the years and if I was younger starting out, it would be my go-to for glassware, plates and lovely vintage or antique decor. It is like a treasure hunt and also a social history museum of what was designed and bought for our homes. Each country is slightly different with cultural influences in patterns and choice. Normally, key items I look out for are cocktail glasses, teacups, Art Deco and 1940s dishes and silverware. This time I am looking for a Parisian piece of vintage silver jewellery or clothing. I am searching for a lovely memory which is also stylish and no, I am not in to scarves but there are plenty to find if that is your passion. Just make sure you check out different markets where you live as they offer different styles, prices and products and you will find the market that suits your decor.

Some key tips to follow:

  • Find the market that suits your style – furniture, antique, mid-century, vintage, shabby chic, modern, cheap and cheerful
  • Get there half an hour before the official opening time, the dealers will be with you looking for bargains
  • Have cash, you can strike a deal and many sellers won’t take a card
  • If you are serious, get to know sellers, they often have websites and shops or will let you know when they get new items
  • For objects –  look for hallmarks, stamps and defects
  • Don’t be taken in by reproductions especially with jewellery, or bargain for a cheaper price
  • If you love it, negotiate but buy it – it may not be there later
  • You can always sand it back or paint it
  • Take a bag with you, it is highly likely you will buy something!

Some of My Favourites

There are so many wonderful markets around but I tend to revisit the same ones as they usually have what I like. Here are some of my favourites in different cities, feel free to let me know any others!

New York

Brooklyn Market (Weekends) – tutus, bottles, a life size Statue of Liberty, what more could you want? There is some great furniture offered as well and even recycled ceiling tin tiles.

Chelsea Market (All week) – more a pop-up for artisans but there are some vintage stalls for the 1970s vintage seekers. You will find a stall recycling old typewriter letters in to cufflinks, rings and other jewellery. My favourite is Kimberley Jewellery who makes wonderful items that look like coral or leaves.

 

Nice, France

Monday Brocante – you can find everything from 1940s genuine fashion prints, shabby chic chandeliers and French linen. There are lovely silver brushes, dishes and of course, cocktail glasses. I am giving away a secret – there is a stall with wonderful early 19th century to 1970s fashion plates advertising French and European products.. The seller has a range from perfume, clothes, cars, drinks and advertising that are great to browse through. I am definitely addicted to this stall! We have bought French wine glasses, a hot chocolate copper pot, a 1940s brass umbrella stand, two blue and white ceramic lamps, a silver mouse for a cheeseboard, two antique brass candleholders to be fixed on a wall and a 1930s hotel silver plated cocktail tray amongst other items. I could go on but recommend to really focus and you will find some wonderful pieces in this market.

Berlin, German

Strasse des 17 Juni (Weekends) – just a note, be careful of reproductions and check porcelain and silver marks. There is a whole lot on offer, German Art Deco silver, coloured glass, funky glasses amongst the vintage clothes. There are lots of stalls here so you will need to browse carefully. It gets very busy on a Sunday so I recommend you get there early and find what you need. There is also an increase in Russian porcelain with delicate patterns for those who like a floral theme.

Arkonaplatz (Weekends) – vintage furniture, brass initials, funky 70s lights, retro tables and some ‘cheap and cheerful’ stalls but as they say, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure! I bought six genuine French cafe chairs here which we sold five years later when we moved.

Nyon, France

Scheduled brocantes (you will need to check) – We bought French pink teacups, silver brushes and genuine Louis XVI chairs. I once saw a full 12-piece ornate silver punch set with swans as handles! This market is a must for those with an eye for shabby chic. I picked up six 1930s cocktail glasses that I still love and a Swedish 1920s cocktail shaker for a song.

Final Thoughts

There are two major Parisian brocante/flea markets and we visited the main one a couple of years ago. We walked away completely overwhelmed and it was high-end prices and products. This time, we are going South of the city to find another smaller market. So watch this space to find out what we bought and what we thought!