The Flea Market at Les Puces
Last night I gave up an invitation to go to Regine’s so I could wake up early today. My destination… The Flea Market at Porte Clignancourt known as Les Puces.
It was a journey getting there because it’s too far for my favourite mode of French transportation, the Velib. It’s on the outer edge of Paris, so I has to put up with the deodorant-free Parisians on the crowded metro. Once you get past that hurdle you have to go through the stalls selling ugly jeans and deal with the people hawking fake LV baseball caps (did anyone tell them that LV does not make baseball caps). Beware the mobsters playing the oldest trick in the book, the shell game victimizing naive tourist, they’ll chase you down the rue if you try to take a picture of them (as I found out)
Once you get past these obstacles you are in a world of enchantment. It’s a feast for the eyes (good thing because my waistline is expanding from all the french pastries I’m seduced into eating). Stalls selling Art Deco objet d’art vie for attention amongst the shops jammed with mid century modern and 18th century antiques. There’s something to suit all budgets, from 1 euro keychains to 2000 euro chandeliers. I found a particular stall that sold vintage Chanel and L.V., no wonder so many designers comb these shops for inspiration. Even if you leave empty handed, the Flea Market is a destination not to be missed.
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