Marché Aux Puces

The literal translation of Marché aux Puces is flea market; and in essence that’s the concept. Like any flea market you will find stalls with merchants who sell things which have been previously owned. Some items are old, some newer. Still, I would hardly call the Marché aux Puces a typical fleamarket. Having experienced it myself I can easily say it’s so much more.

You’ll find it in a series of alleys in Montmartre, North, past the Basilica Sacré-Cœur. There’s an entrance right near the metro station Porte de Clignancourt.

Like the Camden Market, the Marché aux Puces has a sort of false market before it. You’ll find rows of white tents along the Avenue de la Porte de Clignancourt, all selling articles like clothing and accessories. There are certainly some interesting things there, however if your objective is to get to the Marché and look for authentic antiques then you need to keep walking. Cross beneath a bridge and you’ll find entrances along the Avenue you’ve come from, or you can turn left onto the Rue Jean Henri Fabre and you’ll find entrances there too.

The alleyways are as numerous as they are tiny. You can easily spend the day here if you like. Aunt River and I spent a solid afternoon searching through beautiful articles of history. I’m told the shop keeps are willing to haggle, but honestly neither Aunt River nor I did. I spotted three beautiful news papers and was perfectly happy to pay the asking price for them.

If you can, go to the washroom before you leave your hotel. There are bathrooms at the Marche but they can be a bit hard to find. There are online maps which show where they are. To my memory this website’s map is accurate. Bring good walking shoes, and a fair chunk of cash. Some vendors will accept cards, but not all. Even if you’re not expecting to buy anything bring some money anyway. There’s always a chance that you’ll find something you just can’t resist! Bring water, but keep it away from the shops. Antiques and liquids don’t mix well.

Whether or not the markets are open during covid, I don’t know, but there is little room to maneuver on a good day let alone put six feet between yourself and any stranger passing by. I don’t recommend going here until the restrictions are lifted, despite it being an outdoor market.

Stay home, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe, gentle reader.