antiques

Les Bouquinistes
Along the Seine. Tues–Fri, 2–6; Sat–Sun, 11–6. Summer: around 9:30–7.
Booksellers have been selling their wares along the Seine for nearly 500 years. You can peruse the used or antique books and posters from the quai du Louvre to the quai des Célestins, in the 2nd and 4th Arrondissements, and from the quai Voltaire to the quai de la Tripnelle, in the 5th and 6th. One can always find something interesting for sale here.
Drouot
9, rue Drouot, in the 9th.
01 48 00 20 52.
This enormous auction house specializes in fine art and antiques, with prices ranging from the unbelievably affordable to the dreadfully steep (just be sure you take the VAT and buyer’s premium rates into account before placing your bids!).
Louvre des Antiquaires
2, place du Palais Royal, near the Louvre, in the 1st.
Second entrance on the rue de Marengo.
Tues–Sun, 10­–6. Some shops close for lunch.
A fairly high-end place, but you can still find a good deal, especially if you ask the vendor for his best price. You’ll find shops specializing in many different areas, such as items from Asia, old Lalique glass, hotel silver, midcentury French pieces or art and antiquities from the Middle Ages.
Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt
Rue des Rosiers, in the 18th.
Sat–Mon, 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
This is probably the most famous flea market in the world; however, it is no longer a place for bargains. Do not fear, though, for you can still walk away with something to treasure. Get off at the Porte de Clignancourt metro stop and walk east under the périphérique (the road that circles Paris). Turn left on rue des Rosiers. If you see stalls of junk you haven’t reached the proper market area yet. Keep going and you’ll see a number of different markets here, each with a collection of dealers. There’s Marché Vernaison, which is charming and full of smaller items as well as some furniture; Marché Biron, which is more upscale; Marché Malassis and the newer Marché Dauphine; plus Marché Serpette and Paul Bert, which we enjoy. There are many from which to choose and you can get lost, but take a look at the main marchés and you’ll quickly get a feel for which ones you prefer. If you’d like to have a nice lunch after shopping or just break up the day, try Le Soleil (109, ave Michelet, St.-Ouen; 01 40 10 08 08).
Marché Vanves
Avenues Marc Sangnier and Georges Lefenestre, in the 14th.
Sat-Sun, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
An authentically Parisian flea market selling any and all bric-a-brac, from cute jewelry to retro furniture. Read more about the market in our article here.
Rue de l’Université and rue Jacob
In the 6th and 7th.
Have a stroll here and you’ll find a plethora of beautiful—if expensive—antique and home shops. Walk along Rue de l’Université (which becomes Jacob), from Quai Voltaire to rue des Sts. Pères, for the heart of the Carré Rive Gauche (a consortium of antiques dealers).
Village St.-Paul
Rue St.-Paul, near the rue de Rivoli just behind the St.-Paul Church, in the 4th.
Most shops open Tues–Sun, 9 a.m.–noon and 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
This area can be fun for a bit of antiquing. There are 30 or so antique dealers here, whose offerings range from junk to collectibles.
Village Suisse
58, ave de Suffren, between the rue Dupleix and the ave de la Motte Picquet, in the 7th.
Thurs–Mon, 10–7.
An upscale mall of roughly 150 antique shops. You’ll find a lot of 19th- and 20th-century furniture here.