Shop with the gals antiquing in Paris! From trendy flea markets to exclusive antique shops, along with a little vintage fashion. Immerse yourself in this city’s vintage culture.
Traveling to Paris
We left Boston on Air France for Paris, France, at 10 PM on a Tuesday in late September. My girlfriend, Lisa, and I were joining Sandra Sigman and Félicie Jungels of Les Fleurs’ curated Parisian antiquing shopping tour, which consisted of five days of antiquing in Paris:
Pro Tip on packing
We would be staying at the Hôtel Bel Ami in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. We each packed a carry-on bag and placed it inside a large empty suitcase along with an empty duffle bag. This would give us the extra room needed to bring back all of our smaller vintage treasures.
Arrival Day in Paris
We arrived at 11:00 a.m. on a Wednesday, Paris time. Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep much on the way over, and we were genuinely exhausted upon our arrival, but staying up until bedtime on Paris time was our goal to help acclimate to the six-hour time difference.
We arrived at our hotel, took showers, and went for long walks around Paris, visiting shops and cafes until bedtime. It was the most strenuous day, but it was all worth it!
Day Two in Paris
Our antiquing in Paris tour didn’t begin until Friday morning, so we also had Thursday to help us adjust to the six-hour time difference. We walked and walked all over Paris, visiting:
When in France…
After a full day exploring Paris, we enjoyed a good night’s sleep and were up early to start our first day of shopping at the Paris antique stores.
Antiquing in Paris Tour Begins
Morning Meet Up
We gathered in the early morning at Sandra of Les Fleurs’ Paris apartment and met the other nine gals joining us on our antiquing in Paris adventures. Can you believe that four of the women were from York, Ogunquit, and Portland, Maine? That was six of us from Maine!
The others were from California, New Hampshire, New York, and Texas. A friend or a sister accompanied several, and others traveled solo. There was one antique dealer and one small shop owner, and the rest were shopping for new homes, themselves or family and friends.
Paperwork & Shipping Requirements for antiquing in paris
After meeting all the gals, we were informed of our paperwork responsibilities when purchasing antique furniture going back to the U.S.
For our convenience, porters and a shipping container would be provided for all antiques that would not fit into our suitcases. This required invoices, tagging, photos, and stickers. Once we completed one purchase, it was a simple process; it just took a little bit of patience for us and the vendors.
Someone was always immediately available to help walk us through the process, too.
Every morning, we would gather in front of the Hôtel Bel Ami, where Sandra and Felicie would meet us and we would all load into two chauffered vans that drove us to the day’s venue.
The driver’s would also collect our bags as we shopped, for even more convenience. It was a dream!
Shipping Container
The most frequent question I received about this antiquing in Paris tour was how do you get everything back home?
Les Fleurs’ provides a large shipping container for this antiquing in Paris tour. You can purchase anything you like and ship it back via the container. There is an additional cost, which can be as high as the cost of the antique, depending on how much space it takes up in the container.
Many purchased numerous cabinets, large gardening pots, benches, chairs, decorative arts, etc. The container can take up to five months to arrive in Boston. Then, you will pick up your French antiques at Les Fleurs’ in Andover, Massachusetts, or they can have your items shipped to you from their location, which many will need to do.
Luggage
All smaller Paris antiques will be packed into your suitcases. You should bring a large empty suitcase and a duffle bag. If you fly business class, you can check up to three bags or two if you fly economy.
A few of the gals purchased 30 Euro suitcases while in Paris to fill and bring home with them. If you are traveling with a companion, that is up to six checked suitcases! Not to mention two carry-ons each. So it is all very doable.
*Sandra and Felicie helped us all every step of the way with all their tips and tricks.
Pro Tip
Here, I used an antique tin that I purchased at a street fair to hold many of my smaller items, then placed it into my empty suitcase. The antique dealers are happy to wrap and package the items when you purchase them, too.
Now, we were ready for all of the antiquing in Paris before us!
Let’s go!
Antique Markets
la Foire de Chatou
The oldest and largest antique market in France, with an impressionist atmosphere, is held twice a year, a Brocante and Ham Fair in Chatou. It is not to be missed!
The first antique market we visited was la Foire de Chatou, a vintage market similar to those I love shopping back in New England, like Vintage Market Days Vermont.
There were roughly 90 French antique vendors ranging from affordable to high-end, great for bargain hunters, too. All the vendors were housed in tents to shelter them from the inclement weather, as most are open-air markets antiquing in Paris.
Browse the fair with us as we go antiquing in Paris
The festive vibe of of the French antique markets is very different though from that of New England. It was more socially festive, with rows and rows of pop-up restaurants and champagne stations.
No food trucks at the French antique markets!
We were also very fortunate to have visited on a Friday, sparing us from the large crowds.
Pro Tip
I found it interesting that each of us had a unique perspective on this market and many others to come. Some saw this market as very expensive, where I found affordable prices. I found this stack of five antique soup tureens for 100 Euros, not each like back in New England.
And they became my first French antique purchase.
I loved getting to know the other gals on our antiquing in Paris tour. We all learned so much from one another. For instance, nobody had ever thought of stacking antique soup tureens like these. In fact, some didn’t even know what I was referencing when I mentioned I bought a stack of tureens.
Introducing each other to new antique collections and trending ideas from various parts of the country was insightful and a large part of why this tour was so interesting and enjoyable.
While antiquing in Paris, there were many passing rain showers, so, during a mini rain storm that rolled in, we enjoyed and partook in the French way of antiquing by taking a break with a glass of champagne and a long French lunch.
It was the best day ever!
Paris Street Fair
Porte de Vanves
On Saturday, we visited the Porte de Vanves, a weekend street fair, where we strolled and shopped until lunchtime, about 3 hours.
There were rows of street vendors selling wares ranging from vintage clothing to rare books. As far as street markets go, I found the pricing a bit on the high side. However, many of the other gals found Porte de Vanves to be their favorite antiquing spot of the week.
See what I mean about the differences in experiences? I still thoroughly enjoyed it, though!
What antique treasures did I find?
Wondering what I will do with antique bloomers and vintage toothbrushes? I’ll be sharing how I decorate with all my French antique finds very soon here on the blog!
One antique dealer was selling a gorgeous set of antique French Gien dinnerware with vintage ivory bone flatware, which I pined over. However, I passed at 39 euros a plate, and there didn’t seem to be much room for negotiation, especially since I had a little insight into our last shopping destination, which promised much better dinnerware pricing.
Paris Flea Market
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen
This Sunday, we visited the Saint-Ouen Flea Market, an open-air flea market and is the largest antiques and second-hand market in the world and the fourth most visited attraction in France.
Wow, Wow, Wow!
There are three Marché aux Puces (flea markets) inside the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, where you can peruse the different markets for antiques, vintage clothing, and almost anything else you can think of that is unique and hard to find.
1. Marché Paul Bert Serpette
First, we browsed through the Marché Paul Bert Serpette. In Paris, it is considered one of the most prestigious flea markets in the world. It is located in the heart of the famous Saint-Ouen Flea Market. It’s a haven for antique lovers, offering an incredible range of high-end vintage furniture, rare art, and unique decorative pieces. The market’s charming maze of stalls brims with Parisian history, making it a must-visit for serious collectors and casual shoppers alike.
That means, bargain shoppers, there is plenty for you here, too!
We spent the entire morning inside this one flea market and enjoyed another customary long French-style lunch, including another delicious dessert at the onsite Le Bistrot Paul Bert.
Here is where I found these timeless treasures:
2. Marché Dauphine
After lunch, we strolled over to the Marché Dauphine, one of Saint-Ouen’s largest markets. It is a vibrant blend of vintage charm and eclectic finds. Known for its expansive indoor space, it offers a diverse selection of antiques, from classic furniture to rare books and vintage fashion. With its lively atmosphere and array of unique treasures, Marché Dauphine is a favorite among antique enthusiasts and curious shoppers alike.
Some of the most exciting features in this market include the orange 1970s spaceship in the central square, the unusual second-level flooring, a sort of wooden cobble-block affair, and the colorful entrance mural.
3. Marché Biron
Lastly, just across the road is the Marché Biron, one of the upscale flea markets within the Saint-Ouen complex in Paris, known for its luxurious selection of high-end antiques and fine art. Specializing in exquisite furniture, decorative objects, and classical art pieces, it caters to serious collectors and those seeking timeless, museum-quality items. The elegant atmosphere and meticulously curated stalls make it a must-visit for anyone looking for rare and prestigious finds.
Antique Shops
Monday was our last day of scheduled antique shopping in Paris, and it promised to be the most rewarding. We arrived in Rungis at a private dealer’s warehouse and enjoyed a buffet luncheon hosted by the antique dealer.
This was my favorite antiquing experience of the entire trip. The prices were fantastic, and the selection—well, simply amazing!
This antique dealer’s warehouse is frequented by filmmakers, photographers, hotels, dealers, and all others who seek to recreate antique and vintage interior home decor. From average homes to the studios of Paris, this antique shop had it all. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public.
Treasures I found here:
Because the 1900s French Alps ski sled and the antique beverage cart would not fit into my suitcase, they were ticketed to go onto the container along with the dishes and small crystal ice buckets. I didn’t want any of those things to get broken in transit.
Vintage Ski Lodge Decorations Series
If you like the French Alps sled I found, you may also enjoy our Vintage Ski Lodge Decorations Blog Series.
Antique Shop Luncheon
Have you ever had lunch in an antique store? The owner of this private antique warehouse hosted us for lunch and set two tables so beautifully that one of the gals on our trip bought almost the entire table setting!
Each French antique dinner plate was unique and paired with intricately designed silverware, including a French knife rest. Since these were new to me, I bought a set for myself.
To learn more, visit this Knife Rest French Table Silver and Crystal Ideas post.
During our visit, each matching glass candle burned, and the water glasses were a mix-and-match.
Little silver sherbert bowls displayed fall hydrangea bouquets with scattered acorns—simple yet exquisite.
It was a casual luncheon as we helped ourselves to a buffet while others continued to shop.
Thrifting with the gals
You may also enjoy our reader’s favorite blog series, Thrifting with the Gals hosted here on the blog every third Thursday of the month.
Favorite Shop Owners
One of the benefits of joining an antiquing in Paris tour like this one, hosted by Sandra of Les Fleurs, is that she combines her experience, knowledge, and artistry to enhance your overall expertise in French style.
Here are some other favorite shop owners we visited and enjoyed while in Paris, selected by Sandra on our antiquing tour.
L’Arrosoier Flower Workshop
Being a flower shop owner herself, Les Fleurs’ in Andover, Massachusetts, Sandra set up a workshop for us at her favorite flower shop in Paris, L’Arrosoier—it just happened to be the oldest, too.
As we sipped champagne, as the French regularly do, we were given a workshop on how to design our own French floral bouquet. Then, we were gifted a bucket of flowers to create our bouquets. A magical afternoon in Paris.
I have always wondered how florists create arrangements with crisscrossed stems with beautifully designed styles. Now, with my fingers crossed, my flower bouquets should look amazing.
It’s certainly something that takes practice.
Antoinette PoisSon Atelier
What a treat to visit the famous ANTOINETTE POISSON design studio.
A Paris chez ANTOINETTE POISSON owners rediscover the craftsmanship of the 18th century domino’s printers on the engraved plate. Ancestor of the wallpaper, whose colors are enhanced with stencil.
We discovered the brand’s workshops and how they stamp and hand paint their traditional and well-known wallpaper, fabrics, packaging, perfumes, and more.
This was a beautiful and humbling experience.
Standout Restaurants While Antiquing in Paris
After hours of walking and shopping for Paris antiques, the French restaurants and food pairings were delectable.
Le Train Bleu
What a thrill to spend our first dinner together at Le Train Bleu.
Le Train Bleu, an old soul nestled in the Gare de Lyon metro station, is a great place for antique enthusiasts to step back in time while enjoying exquisite French cuisine. With its opulent Belle Époque decor, this historic restaurant offers a dining experience as timeless as the antiques you’ll find throughout Paris.
La Divina Comedia
An Italian restaurant in Paris, which gave us a bit of a break from the French cheeses and sauces after a morning spent at the Porte de Vanves street fair.
The mushroom pizza with truffle oil and the charcuterie boards were oh-so-yummy. Although the meal may have been Italian, it was served in traditional French style, lasting almost three hours.
Le Procope
Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, is a true gem for antique lovers and history buffs alike. This historic restaurant, which opened in 1686, famously houses Napoleon’s hat. It offers a unique blend of culinary excellence and rich French heritage. Dining at Procope feels like stepping into a living museum, where the atmosphere is as captivating as the food.
We gathered and dined here before saying goodbye to our vintage-loving gals who joined us in Paris this week. It was so hard saying goodbye, but the time had come for us to return home.
Until next time…
A Personal Touch While Antiquing in Paris
As many of you who follow me know, I adored my parents, who inspired me with their love for antiques.
I remember when I was young, wondering what kind of decorating I would grow up to embrace. At the time, I didn’t appreciate the antiques my parents collected as I do today.
While scouring the flea markets in the heart of Paris, I felt my parents’ presence with me every step of the way. Wearing my mother’s charm bracelet and her beloved scarves, I carried their love for antiques and timeless treasures with me. Each piece I touched, and every discovery I made became more meaningful, a personal tribute to their lifelong passion and the legacy they passed on to me.
When I discovered these ceramic flowers at our last stop in Paris, I knew this would be my final purchase, two white immortelles in remembrance. And the other gals all but some too.
Immortelles
These delicate, handcrafted flowers are traditionally placed on graves and burial sites in France to honor the deceased. They symbolize eternal remembrance and are often made in colors like purple, pink, and white, representing mourning, love, and purity.
The tradition of using immortelles dates back to the 19th century when people began seeking more durable alternatives to fresh flowers for gravesites. Crafted from porcelain or ceramic, these flowers became popular due to their longevity, offering a lasting tribute to loved ones that wouldn’t wither or fade like natural blooms. The craftsmanship and delicate beauty of immortelles also align with French artistic traditions, particularly those originating from Paris.
Thank you, Paris~
Your Guide to an Eclectic Style~
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
I really enjoyed this post! I am sitting here in our air b n b in suburban Paris, green with envy. We primarily came to meet our baby granddaughter but we had also hoped to do some of this kind of thing too. I think we really made a mistake in not arranging something like this tour or something similar because it has been really hard to do it on our own. If you have the time to reply, I would love to ask a few questions.
Hi Ellen, of course. You can email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com. I’ll help you anyway that I can. I Hope you have a wonderful time in Paris!
Thank you for taking me on a magnificent visual tour!! So beautiful, so interesting and so much fun!! If I drank all the champagne they offered, you would have to put me in the shipping container to get me back to the states!!!!
What a wonderful experience for you and your friends.
Did you put the two ceramic flowers on your parents graves?? That incredibly sweet story had me in tears.
Can’t wait to see what you do with those bloomers ( my Italian grandmother wore them), and used toothbrushes. 🤣❤️
I am so jealous! What an amazing opportunity. Love those stacked tureens and I would have snatched them up as well. Just beautiful. Isn’t it fun to see what other countries offer? I was even amazed at the difference between Texas and NH and VT!!! I love the history. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I am in awe!
What an amazing trip, Ann! Thank you for taking us along with you! What treasures you found! I think my favorite things are the blue and white striped tin, the stack of soup tureens, and the blue and white pitcher (is it enamel?). I can’t wait to see how you style everything at home! Welcome back!
Thanks so much Molly, the trip was amazing and so many goodies! LOL
Also wondering if you would share info on the group you were with, need to add this to my bucket list!
Hi Barb, I did mention it in the blog post and linked it. The group tour was through Les Fleurs: https://lesfleurs.com/french-tours . Hope this helps and you’ll love every minute of it, it was the best trip ever!
Love this one Ann! Sure did feel like I was there! Looks like you had good weather and Great food. I would have a hard time not wanting to buy a TON!!!! I’m a dish head and LOVE your 5 tureens. Beautiful patterns and colors, can’t wait to see how you stage those. As soon as I saw all the skis etc I knew you would find something for your porch. From the French Alps to Stowe. Waiting for 5 months would be hard, no decorating your green cart for Christmas this year. I’m sure you have made friends for life. Beautiful share!
Thanks so much Barb, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I’m hoping we see the container before the holidays, but if not that is ok too. It was all so exciting and wonderful. Thanks again!
Wonderful read! I enjoyed every step you took. This would be a dream trip for me, as I absolutely love French country, it’s imbedded into my soul. Thanks for sharing such wonderful details and educating us on how very easy this trip could be. I just recently found you on social media.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Mindy, It truly was one of my favorite trips ever! Thanks for joining me on our adventures in Paris today. Appreciate it my friend!
What an amazing post Ann…I almost feel like I was there (LOL…I was!) Such a trip of a lifetime with one of my bestest of friends from high school!
It was so much fun, one of the best trips ever!