MFO Paris Series: Flea Market Finds Part 1 of 3

You know you've reached a certain age of maturity when shopping at malls and boutiques no longer give you that euphoric thrill. 

More so when you start doing the things your mom loves to do, and in my case, that would be thrifting. For this trip, I had deviated from my typical wish list. More than bags or shoes, I wanted an authentic French bistro table and mirrors. So crazy, in love. And so tita!

My friend Emee told me about her favorite place in Paris for flea market shopping, and no, its not in Clignancourt. It's at Porte de Vanves, in the 14th arrondissement, where most of the locals go.

Emee told us to go early in the morning, before 8 am, while the merchants were still unloading and setting up their wares. That way, we could get first dibs on everything. 

We were so excited, we were there by 7:30 am which was too early. We spent 30 minutes just waiting for most of the sellers to arrive. I'd say, come around 8:30 to 9 am, when everything is pretty much set up, and you still get choice pickings. 

I'm cutting up this post into three parts, because there were just too many great finds! Thank goodness they only took cash, because I would have gone over budget if they accepted credit cards. I wanted to bring everything home.

I can in fact easily furnish an apartment with this visit alone. Here are the furniture pieces that caught my eye. Huhuhu. So sad to leave them on the sidewalk. I felt like they were begging me to take them home.

That chica lady in the truck was refurbishing this secretary desk on the spot.

That bench would look great re-upholstered with Belgian linen.

I'd re-upholster this too with Belgian linen. Restoration Hardware ang peg!

I want that half-circle console table. Great for an entryway.

They also have rugs and mirrors, and I wish I took these hallway runners home. Old school donya.

These are pretty too! Sigh. Now I understand Lynn Yaeger's longing for Porte de Vanves, and how she'd willingly extend her stay in Paris for two weeks, just to browse and ogle the goods here. 

How to get there: We took an Uber car both ways, but you may also take line 13 of the Paris Métro and alight at Porte de Vanves, or simply take the bus.

Marche aux Puces Porte de Vanves

14th arrondissement
Ave Marc Sangnier & Ave Georges Lafenstre
Saturdays & Sundays, 8 am to 1 pm

Next up: Part 2 of my Flea Market Finds