I feel like there aren’t super clear directions on how to get to the Paris Flea Market so I decided to do this post so you can find it should you ever need to. First, there are lots of little flea markets called “brocantes” going on all the time. These instructions are not for those but for the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen Market, which is the biggest flea market in the world. The market is open: Saturdays 9h to 18h, Sundays 10h to 18h, Mondays 11h to 5h.
1. To get there by Metro get off at the metro stop Porte de Clignancourt on line 4. Exit the underground metro and orient yourself. There is a McDonalds across the street and you should look for this sign immediately. “Les Puces” which means “The Fleas.” Some nice person put a sticker right over the arrow but still follow it best you can.
2. Stay on the same side of the street (it has less people trying to sell you things, that is unless you need a cheap cell phone case or counterfeit Hello Kitty keychains) and follow the direction of the arrow on the sign north.
3. There are no more signs after that so continue walking the threeish blocks to Rue des Rossiers (which is the main street where all the flea markets are.) Look for this underpass with the circles on it and head towards that.
4. Do not stop and think this swap meet is the flea market, because it isn’t. (We came here on our honeymoon and I thought it was, aw, we were so adorable. Lost, but adorable.)
5. As soon as you go under the underpass, cross the street and look for these green signs that are at the beginning of Rue des Rossiers. You’ve arrived!
Here is a little map of the different parts of the flea market. It is HUGE. I’ve been there four times and only seen about half of it. I’ll make this into a printable pdf later today so you can download it.
Lisa
March 16, 2011
Thank you for this! Last time I was in Paris, I must have stopped at the swap meet thinking I was at the flea market 🙁 Needless to say, I was disappointed. I am bookmarking your post so I have it for my next trip to Paris, whenever that will be.
sarah-mai
March 16, 2011
Love the directions! Thanks so much!!! Will definitely come in handy on our next trip there in fall 🙂
Stephanie
March 16, 2011
What a great map! When I was in Paris I saw the street vendors and was confused—but I convinced my husband to press on saying "We'll find them eventually!!". We spotted them through a tiny alley and much to my husbands' surprise, found ourselves there surrounded by treasures.
Great post!
Heather (love your space)
March 16, 2011
Awesome.
I totally found my way to that swap meet last time I was in Paris, and never did find my way to the flea market. I had been there in my 20s with people who knew the way. Now, next time I'll know- Thanks!
Jen
March 16, 2011
Merci beaucoup! This is bookmarked for my next trip to Paris!
Sarah
March 16, 2011
I LOVE the picture of those keys =) Neat post!
– Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
Sharon
March 16, 2011
Oh wow. Thanks for this map. This is going to be the highlight of my trip.
Rebecca
March 16, 2011
The last time I was in Paris I was determined to find Les Puces, even though I had no other information than the Metro stop. My boyfriend and I literally wandered around until we saw a young man dressed very smartly in 1940's vintage walking very determinedly. We both said, "He knows where they are!" and we followed him. Wouldn't have found it otherwise…..
kimberly
March 16, 2011
thanks so much for the clear directions! I'm Paris-bound in ten days…perfect timing!
nicole hill gerulat
March 16, 2011
I went there last summer and got the coolest handkerchiefs. So happy for you being a paris!
Katherine Herriman
March 16, 2011
Yup, we too stopped at the swap-meet and left very disappointed. I knew that couldn't have been it but was at a complete loss. Luckily, we're going back to Paris this Summer so I'll definitely give it another crack. Thank you!
Miss Rubio
March 16, 2011
oh how perfect is this…wish I knew this 2 years ago as I was in Paris…didn't go because it seemed too hard to get there and we had a 3 year old with us. Will definitely keep this in mind for next time I visit Paris. Thanks.
Sarah
March 16, 2011
I am also one of the many who got lost in the swap meet. I kept saying to myself, "This cannot be the world's largest flea market!" Eventually, I wandered under the overpass and made my way to the treasure trove!
Victoria
March 16, 2011
Do you know this iPhone app by The Paris Apartment on Parisian flea markets and brocantes?
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/keys-to-the-fleas/id380432477?mt=8
Where My Heart Is
March 16, 2011
Jordan I think your directions and map are brilliant. We went in December and even though I had read the directions carefully on how to get the market we found it very confusing and had to stop and ask a policeman.
Keli
March 16, 2011
All of your Paris posts are just amazingly helpful! Thanks to you I will be set for my trip their this fall, I have no doubt. Brava!
Kirstin
March 16, 2011
Great map — it is tricky to find the first time! Have you been able to locate the restaurant Le Soleil (109 avenue Michelet, 93 Saint-Ouen) in the middle of the market? My husband and I walked about for 2 hours trying to find it without success…
elizabeth
March 16, 2011
Oh my gosh, those wooden puppets are amazing! I desperately want that little eggplant guy!
Jaclyn
March 16, 2011
Thank you for sharing your Paris tales…I am going this fall and you are making my research for similar interests that much easier! xo
{lovely little things}
March 16, 2011
Thanks for the tip, I'm archiving this post for the next time I visit Paris!
rebecca
March 16, 2011
I hope that one day I can use this awesome info!!!!!
LMM
March 16, 2011
Great post. I made it to the flea by sheer luck last time I was in Paris and trying to track down directions was a bit of an ordeal. This will be so helpful to so many of your followers.
I Dream Of
March 16, 2011
Super helpful post! I remember walking through the outskirts on my first visit and almost giving up before getting to the real market. I'll be sure to share this with friends making there way there. Merci!
Jeanne
Karen
March 16, 2011
Yay! I'll be in Paris in a fortnight and this will come in so handy. THANKYOU!
Lorena
March 16, 2011
Merci! Hoping to make it there this weekend. Leaving SF in a day! Excited!
Courtney
March 16, 2011
Wish I had had this guide my first time there. I convinced a bunch of friends (who didn't find flea markets quite as exciting and marvelous as I) to come with me (bad decision). Well, we hit the street vendors after the metro, they thought that was all there was to it and wanted to leave. I kept telling them, "no! It gets better, it HAS to get better!" So I only spent about twenty minutes in the real deal. Sad.
But I went back with more devoted friends and it was amazing, now I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to go : )
subhasree
March 17, 2011
Make a real splash of fun at the celebrations of your loved ones in Pune by sending flowers and cakes. Stun your dear ones to delight by delivering the spectacular fresh flowers and fresh cakes to Pune. We are one of the top online florists for the delivery of flowers and cakes to Pune for all occasions. For details, visit http://www.classicgiftspune.com
Selina
March 17, 2011
Thank you so much for this! Very timely indeed, I'll be in Paris in a little over 2 weeks time, can't wait!
Busy as a Bee in Paris
March 17, 2011
thank you!
John and Christy
March 17, 2011
Am loving all the great Paris info! I've bookmarked your directions – thanks! My husband & I want to travel to London & Paris in the fall. He's never been, I've been as a student for 1 day. Definitely planning the trip so we can hit Portabello Rd in London & a flea market in Paris. I'd love to see more posts on your opinions of the different flea mkts & their pros/cons. My husband loves the cheap/junky venues, where you spend hours sifting through piles of stuff to find that one treasure. I tend towards the 'nicer' antique items but I that kind of stuff is going to be out of my price range.
jaclyn @ thelateafternoon
March 17, 2011
if only i was in paris…i'd purchase a bunch of those amazing vintage keys!!
London Lisa
March 17, 2011
Um…You are pretty awesome for posting this. I cannot wait to head to the flee market this coming fall!
Susan G
March 17, 2011
Awesome! I will be useing this in May. Can't wait! I have been there before but now I will not have to look up the directions. Thanks for all the info you are giving. In California taking notes..:)
Aude
March 17, 2011
You can also get there stopping at the underground station "Garibaldi" (line 13) and you get the directions directly from there. It's a 5 min walk, very easy! And just a little adjustment! it's rue des Rosiers not Rossiers).
I live very nearby and I hope everybody has a nice time there!
Melissa
March 17, 2011
When I was in Paris last year we visited the Puces de Vanves market…. http://www.polkadotchair.com/2010/03/in-which-jeff-incorrectly-orders-worlds.html
I really liked it, it was smaller so it seemed less intimidating to me, plus it was so easy to get to, right of the train stop.
We never ventured up to Puces St. Ouen, mostly because it was hard to figure out how to get there- next trip I'm going there for sure.. thanks so much for the directions.
Melissa
Jill
March 17, 2011
This is an awesome map! Thank you for taking the time to make it. I will save and pass around this post to everyone!!
Viv
March 17, 2011
so that's where i went wrong! i was clearly at the swap meet, haha.
i will have to go back to experience the real flea market, now, perhaps next weekend. thanks for the post!
bon week-end ! 🙂
RobbieLee at Chickiedee
March 17, 2011
Oh my goodness, I wish I could go there tomorrow! I used to love to go to the ones in Italy when I lived in Florence. 🙂 Happy memories.
Taylor Sterling
March 18, 2011
Thank you for this amazing post. I can't wait to get back to Paris and I will definitely use this! I am so thrilled to be living out my Paris fantasies through you.
🙂
kimberly
March 25, 2011
I just printed out your instructions as I'm leaving for Paris this weekend! Thanks so much for posting 🙂
Alison
April 3, 2011
Thank you! I am glad I'm not the only one who was clueless!
I am going to print this out and put it under my pillow tonight. Paris Trip Fairy, can you help a girl out??
bevburch
June 6, 2011
maybe this could be my happy day to win this contest. love your blog all the way from phoenix, congratulations on doing such a great job. bev
Monica {bohemian twilight}
June 7, 2011
thank you!!! totally missed it last time.
Jenni
June 9, 2011
This is awesome. Thanks for posting the photos too! I can’t wait till I have a free weekend in Paris to check this out. My husband may not be too happy, so maybe I’ll have to go on a Monday without him. 🙂
Tracy
June 15, 2011
THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting this map/info about the flea in Paris! I’m off on Saturday to visit the greatest city – and can’t wait to visit the flea for the first time – thanks to your MAP I will be able to visit the flea AND the swap meet. 😉
xoxo
Jessica {Life the Epic Journey}
June 20, 2011
Thank You for these directions! I wanted to go see the flea market when I was in Paris a few months ago, but I had limited time and it seemed so complicated to get there. I will be saving this page for my next trip to Paris next summer!
Danielle Lou
June 20, 2011
I want to go to there