Summer ended in a flurry of planning and packing for a sojourn to Paris and London in September. I returned to autumn weather, and writing has taken a backseat to the last frenzy of outdoor work and living.
But now, with photos sorted—at last—I’m remembering Paris flea markets.
I love a Paris flea market like I love chocolate. {duh}
Did I just write ‘duh’? Sorry! But going to the fleas (puces, as they are lovingly called in la belle France) represents the thrill of the hunt. There’s just no knowing what you’ll see around the next bend. And, yes, your hands feel gritty after a day or rummaging, and we sneeze from the dust. But the exhilaration of making a discovery, bartering a good price in a language other than your own, and continuing the quest is the cats pajamas pour moi.
This being our 8th or 9th trip in recent years, Laurie (Creative Director at Wild Apple) and I can now manage to get ourselves to the right markets on the right days. We have a favorite neighborhood where we always stay—the Marais. We are a funny duo—she tall and me, not tall. We have a rapport of two that have known each other for many years—finishing each other’s sentences and ordering food we know the other will like. I call her my Paris wife. Our mission at the markets is to sort through musty piles of papers and books looking for etchings, photos, or prints that we can use in the artwork we make at Wild Apple.
This year we had rain at the Puces St-Oeun in northern Paris, and at Porte des Vanves in southern Paris. We had windy cold weather at St Mandé in eastern Paris. Despite, we held our umbrellas overhead, or blew into cupped hands as we sorted through the piles, unearthing all manner of treasures and sharpening our skill at bartering.
Our ability to remember the words for the French numbers improves each year. This was the year of talking down vingt to quinze. With a friendly bonjour, most stall holders were friendly and happy enough to make the sale. 
Bird cages, ancient heavy garden tables, massive urns and shop cupboards filled with numbered drawers taunted me. Perhaps one day we’ll spring for a shipping crate and send some big things home on the slow boat. For now, I take pictures, fill the suitcase with portfolios of musty, beautiful papers, and recall the pain aux raisins and café crème I sipped while watching the rain fall on the Marché St-Paul.
Looks like fun!! Love the giant clock!! Guess I better update my “bucket list”!! Thanks for sharing!!
Yes, hit the Paris fleas in your lifetime. They never disappoint. And the clocks. Oh the clocks….!
Beautiful pictures and writing! I would love to go to Paris sometime – this looks like it was such a lovely trip.
Lovely. Please, please, please take me with you one day! I can hold the umbrella and carry cases.
Imagine!!! Too fun. xox
Ooh, so many beautiful things! In September, I went round a few markets in the south of France, and I can’t wait to go again! There are just so many treasures to be found…
I was there last November and we stumbled across the flea markets. It was so amazing, just coming across them, just around a corner. It makes you wonder where all this stuff has come from. I think we just throw stuff away, here in Britain. Every stall we saw was picture perfect. And I came back engaged!
Thanks for telling this story! I could wander those alleys for days.
Love that vintage library card catalog!
It remains a favorite from that day. Oh the things I could store in all of those drawers!
Ugh! I am so jealous. Me and my mom would just have a blast there. The pictures are amazing, it looked like it was awesome!
Thanks! Someday you’ll go….
I love this post! It makes me want to go to Les Puces with you one day! But for the moment your photos take me there easily, in my dreams…
Sweet dreams, dear Victoire.
These pictures are beautiful. Now I will daydream of a Paris vacation in my future!
Lovely. You are so good at capturing the atmosphere of places. It is a long tomorrow since I was last in Paris, and living in London there is really no excuse! Must remedy that soon.
Ugh – ‘tomorrow’ should read ‘time’
What gorgeous pictures! I would love to go on a flea market shopping trip to Paris but I fear my gcse french may not get me very far!
French antiques, cafe au lait and fresh pastries…..what more could a girl ask for! x
If I can haggle in French you can too!! 🙂
Thanks for bringing me Paris and some of my favourite things about it! I love a flea market….fab photos.
A pleasure. Thanks for your kind words.
great photography!
Gorgeous pictures. I love the images you chose to capture!
Thanks! I love your blog name. Will check it out. Have a great weekend.
Beautiful work here, Sue. I follow your blog, and would like to do a short feature on my site. Is it all right to share one of your photos and link to the article? Just let me know.
Thanks so much.
Hi Cheryl. Of course-thanks so much! Warmly. Sue
OK, Sue, you’re on my post “Featured Favorites” at Artzzle.com Thanks. I enjoy your site so much and wanted to share with my readers.
Have a great week-end!
Cheryl
This is so so kind! I really appreciate what you wrote. I’ll look forward to a good look at your blog when I’m on a computer, not a little phone! Happy weekend.
When you take a better look at my blog, be sure to leave a comment there too. Thanks again.
Great photos! They have a rustic feel to them I thoroughly enjoyed!
Thanks! I do like rustic…. Be well.
Such gorgeous photos! I love paris flea markets, but I’m always so sad that I cna’t fit the things in my suitcase to take home… x
So true! I always bring home old papers or fabric. Would love a pair of metal chairs or a big chaise!
O my god, o my god, it’s Paris!
Indeed. *sigh*
I love Paris and I adore flea markets, but I’ve never been to one IN Paris. Now I feel like I’ve been missing out all my life. Thanks. 🙁
http://ourcuckoonest.com/
Someday you will go! (And take your little girl). Be well.
Found you from Cheryl’s link at Artzzle. Beautiful finds at the puces! I’m glad I found your blog – very cool.
(I may be commenting twice – I tried once and I don’t think it worked.) Beautiful photos of amazing finds. Found your blog through Cheryl at Artzzle. So glad I did. What a fun post!
Hi karen! Got them both. Thanks so much! Nice to see you over at instagram too!
Such great pictures you have on your blog! Virtually all of them, but specially the Paris Flea Market ones.
Why thank you! I appreciate it. It’s hard to take a bad shot at a Paris flea market. Warmly, Sue