For over 150 years, it has been the temple of bargain-lovers, an XXL Ali Baba’s cave spread over 7 hectares. Every weekend until Monday, it welcomes onlookers and treasure-seekers in search of rare antiques, amusing knick-knacks and all manner of objets d’art that can only be found here. Welcome to Marché de Saint-Ouen. Located opposite the 18ᵉ arrondissement, the “Grenier du Monde” welcomes over 5 million visitors every year. It has to be said that the site is the 5ᵉ most visited in the whole country. That’s how popular it is! With its 12 covered markets and some 2,000 merchants, the Saint-Ouen market is the biggest antiques market in the world!
Marché de Saint-Ouen: the world’s oldest flea market is in Paris
When you first stroll through the market, you may feel a little lost by its immensity. With its twelve covered markets, five shopping streets and merchants unpacking their wares here and there on the sidewalk, this picturesque market is sure to amaze even the most skeptical. In fact, it’s not uncommon for top designers to come here to rummage for their furniture, or for celebrities to wander in search of their rare pearls!
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But before it became the ultra-trendy bobo market and vintage temple we all know, the market had a very different life. In 1870, the ragpickers were driven out of Paris. They found refuge in Clignancourt, in order to continue their activity. Their mission? To recycle discarded objects. An eco-friendly gesture, not necessarily well received at the time. It wasn’t until 1885 that the town of Saint-Ouen regulated the area and imposed a parking fee. Little by little, the market acquired its own “buvettes” (refreshment stands) and “guinguettes” (dance halls), which contributed to the warm atmosphere of the place. Parisians from the upper middle-class neighborhoods would flock to the market every Sunday to haggle for unsuspected nuggets, and it was from 1910 onwards that the market finally began to be popularized by a wider public.
The arrival of the metro in the early 20ᵉ century played a major part in the market’s success, with more and more regulars strolling through its markets at weekends. Even today, it’s one of Parisians’ favorite activities.
The different flea markets of Saint-Ouen, and their specific features
The great wealth of the Saint-Ouen market is the diversity of its traders. Quite simply, you’ll find everything: classified antiques, vintage clothes, retro-grammings, antique paintings… But to make sure you don’t get lost in this open-air labyrinth, each market has its own universe.
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- Marché Vernaison is one of the oldest markets in Saint-Ouen. Its charming little alleys, sometimes flowery, sometimes steep, give it a real charm. You’ll find trinkets from the Belle Époque, antique furniture… A real step back in time!
- The Marché Paul Ber – Serpette mixes different styles of decoration: from vintage 60’s furniture to classicism and tribal art… It’s the perfect place to find inspiration and the latest trends.
- Marché Dauphine is quite simply the temple of Pop-Culture and Art Deco. You’ll find vinyl, numbered comics and cutting-edge design objects.
- Marché Jules Vallès is like a giant garage sale, where you’ll find objects with real soul: vintage watches, post-war objects, curiosities…
- Marché Biron is undoubtedly the most chic corner of the Saint-Ouen flea market, where art can be found in every nook and cranny.
- Marché Malassis is one of the most eclectic: here, Berber carpets rub shoulders with Renaissance sculptures or more futuristic designs…
- Marché Cambo, specializing in period furniture and objets d’Art, is absolutely charming.
- The Marché de l’Usine, a highly confidential market reserved for professionals: second-hand dealers, antique dealers, decorators, architects…
- The Marché de l’Entrepôt is Ali Baba’s cave for spacious objects: spiral staircases, crystal chandeliers, garden gates for a manor house…
- The Marché du Passage, located between rue Jules Vallès and rue Lécuyer, is highly unusual. Spanning 1,000 m2, you’ll find everything from vintage to unusual knick-knacks.
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Last but not least, the Rue Pucières is a joyous chaos of vintage clothes, antique decorative objects and unusual and amusing knick-knacks on display right on the street. It’s the perfect setting for an endless treasure hunt!
Location: 110 rue des Rosiers, 93 400 Saint-Ouen
When: Friday 8am to 12pm, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10am to 6pm