I have yet to attempt to encapsulate the London vintage shopping scene for the same reason I have not written a Paris guide (until now): the choice is intimidating. It is impossible to enjoyably squeeze even these twelve recs into the length of a usual city break, so I have broken my list into the categories that tick my vintage boxes – covering homeware-focused flea markets, real antique vintage fashion and French designer finds to help plan your next visit to Paris.
Les Puces de Vanves & LOUISE Paris
When you choose dates, avoid August as Parisians often holiday then and may shut up shop for the month. It is also worth noting that many of the vintage shops are closed on Sunday and Monday, but you have some flea markets to enjoy on these days, so let’s start there.
Flea Markets
Antique and vintage dealers in Belgium and Britain regularly say they sourced things I love in France, so whilst that is not exclusively Paris, the city’s flea markets are a cultural treat that energises my tastebuds whether I buy anything or not. Fresh from my latest visit, I was thrilled to find a flea market unexpectedly on the doorstep of my hotel in Montparnasse. As well as weekly markets below, it is also worth checking the agenda for other brocantes here.
Les Puce de Saint-Ouen
North of the 18th – Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint Ouen, France
Open every weekend from Friday to Monday, check the website here
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is like a city in itself. For my first visit, I called upon Antiques Diva, whose personal tours find nooks and crannies that are hard to find on your own. They are great if you are sourcing larger pieces or dabble in antiques dealing as they have relationships that help you negotiate and can also support with shipping. If you are braving it alone, try to avoid feeling overwhelmed by 7 miles of covered markets and five shopping streets! My tip is to gauge which areas suit what you are after by checking out the Flea map on their website and then just enjoy what you have time to see. I mainly explored Paul Serpette, a more high-end covered market that fed creative home and fashion ideas. I subscribed to Paul Serpette’s weekly email, which is still one newsletter I always open. If you are looking for luxury vintage and pre-loved couture, a look inside Les Merveilles de Babellou is a must.
Les Puces de Vanves
14th arrondissement – 4 Avenue Georges Lafenestre, 75014 Paris, France
Open Saturday and Sunday from 7am – 1pm, check the website here
It is best to get an early start here, but this market has a relaxed pace with a less intimidating number of stalls that are easy to navigate across a few streets in the south of the city. Temptations, when I visited, included French linen, jewellery, kitchenalia, and antique Majolica plates. I left with a few vintage records.
Les Puces de Montreuil, which is supposed to offer good fashion thrifting is still on my list, so if you get there first then do let me know what you think.
Antique vintage fashion
The flea markets are also worth visiting for antique fashion – particularly cotton slip dresses, shirts and lace. You will find beautifully presented vintage bags, jewellery, and designer collectables at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. However, Rue Marguerite de Rochechouart is also unmissable if you get your thrills through antique fashion. On this street, you will feel the history at your fingertips with pieces dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. At these boutiques, you are just as likely to step into a fitting for a period film as you are to brush shoulders with designers and stylists drawing inspiration for future fashions.
Merguiller
9th arrondissement – 57 Rue Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris, France
Tania Claire’s petite boutique will take you longer than you might think to explore the amass of lovingly selected finds. Merguiller is an excellent stop for vintage shoes, hats and gloves if you are lucky and find your size. I am also drawn to the menswear here.
Mammie Blue
9th arrondissement – 69 Rue Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris, France
Get ready for three floors of retro rummaging. Mammie Blue is wonderful for men’s overcoats, antique accessories and statement bags.
French designer fashion finds
Rose Market Vintage window display
Amongst vintage Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, you can expect non-branded vintage pieces in the boutiques listed below, as well as lesser-known French labels and international designers – all with a Parisian sense of style.
Rose Market Vintage
9th arrondissement – 19 Rue Milton, 75009 Paris, France
I have visited Florence’s shop repeatedly since I happened upon it six years ago. She has an impeccable eye for an eclectic mix. My Rose Market Vintage finds have varied from Lanvin shoes to a quality 80s dress, bag, cardigan coat, and Christian Lacroix knitwear.
Retro Chic
9th arrondissement – 57 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, France
A new discovery for me, Retro Chic offers great classics, from iconic black Chanel bags to Yves Saint Laurent trousers.
Celia Darling
9th arrondissement – 5 Rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris, France
From classic to quirky finds, at Celia Darling, I enjoy a moment taking in the window styling. Inside you will find a neat edit of inspiring fashion including statement jewellery, shoes, and bags.
Thanx God I’m VIP
10th arrondissement – 12 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris, France
Colour-coded to perfection, Thanx God I’m VIP offers easy browsing with designer pieces and vintage accessories dating back to the 40s that feel fresh. If you are curious about the name, founder Sylvie Chateigner came up with it from her work in the club scene as an ironic play on VIP status. You’re always a VIP for somebody!
LOUISE Paris
10th arrondissement – 10 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris, France
Shop secondhand luxury straight from Parisian’s wardrobes at LOUISE Paris, a well-presented consignment boutique.
Les Marches de Catherine B
6th arrondissement – 1 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris, France
If you are looking for rare vintage Chanel and Hermès from a true collector, visit Catherine B in Saint Germain. The prices are high, as you’d expect, but on my 30th birthday, I just happened to come across this shop and managed to bag a 00s fabric Chanel for a really reasonable price. Call it birthday luck, but it is worth messaging ahead via Instagram if you are planning a purchase.
MallS Concept Store Paris
3rd arrondissement – 324 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris, France
This friendly place combines pilates, tattoos, CBD and vintage and offers more urban finds than the rest of my list. Their events look worth checking out (see Instagram for upcoming dates), and I particularly loved the edit from vintage seller de la Loma, who also stocks at Galeries Lafayette.
©Photographs Reclaimed Woman