Day 124
The Parisians love their flea markets. It seems fitting that the first day we arrived, we trudged through a crowded
weekend pop up flea market in the center boulevard on our street, with dozens and dozens of temporary, make-shift stalls. We blended in quite nicely with all the other people hauling their treasures in big bags.
If you’re a flea market hound, skilled scavenger, want a unique souvenir of Paris, or simply like to gaze at big and
little pieces of history, a day at the flea market is enjoyable. Throw in a coffee and a freshly baked Madeleine, and I’ll
find just about any day amusing, but that’s beside the point. Located just outside the 18th arrondissement lies in wait
the behemoth of all flea markets, the Porte de Clignancourt les Puces or also known as the Marche aux Puce de Saint-Ouen. This translates to the biggest flea market you will ever see, anywhere. More treasures, collectibles, and crap than you can imagine exists on the planet, sprawled across huge blocks, seeping into alleyways and sidewalks. Commonly referred to as the biggest flea market in the world, whether this is fact or legend, you won’t really care. There is more stuff than you can possibly absorb and appreciate in one outing, and that should be impressive enough.
Le Marche Biron is considered the world’s largest concentration of antique shops and second-hand dealers. Many stalls are glassed in, as tiny high end shops, with glittering or unusual pieces. This part of the market had few people, except for the shop keepers who were having their lunch out in front of their shops sitting at a table and chair, in a civilized manner. We didn’t actually set foot in any of these shops, but it was interesting to peer through the glass windows.
Back at home, a beautiful sunset over the city.
After supper we were treated to a long fireworks display outside our window over Sacre Coeur, celebrating the harvest.
