The Porte de Vanves flea market in Paris is found by the Porte de Vanves in the 14th arrondissement in the south-west of Paris.
Explore the Porte de Vanves flea market in Paris
France This Way review: The most laid-back of the main flea markets of Paris and a good place to find a bargain.
There are three main flea markets in Paris. The biggest and the most famous is the Marché au Puces de St-Ouen on the Rue de Rosiers in St-Ouen. This is also called the Puces de Clignancourt.
This is in the 18th arrondissement in the north of Paris and it is enormous. It gets loads of visitors and can be somewhat overwhelming.
Porte de Montreuil flea market has about 1000 stands and is the least touristy of the three. It mostly caters to locals and has a lot of rubbish as well as some good bargains.
The Porte de Vanves flea market is a lot smaller than the other two with about 400 stands but it has an authentic flavour and is often quoted as the favourite of Parisiens.
The Porte de Vanves flea market is in the south of Paris in the 14th arrondissement near to the Porte de Vanves metro stop and the Porte de Vanves tram stop.
This market focuses on smaller pieces with a lot of crockery, small household items, paintings, jewelry and some clothing.
We were particularly taken by some of the beautiful costume jewelry pieces that were on display and the prices seemed very reasonable.
The atmosphere is friendly with a mix of locals and tourists but like all the flea markets there can be pick pockets and so be aware.
The market takes place every Saturday and Sunday morning from 7am to 2pm. The earlier you get there the more chance you have of spotting a bargain.
Also if trade is quiet some vendors pack up at lunchtime and so don't leave it too late to arrive.
The flea markets are found on the edges of Paris for historical reasons. By setting up outside of the city gates vendors avoided taxes.
The name flea market or marché aux puces in French comes from the fact that many of the second hand clothes were infested with fleas (or puces in French).
If you are shopping at a flea market for the first time know that cash is preferred and most stalls will not be able to take a credit card.
Stall holders will expect to bargain. It is unlikely you will have to pay the first price that is quoted for any given item.
As the stall holders have to pack up at the end of the market, unlike at the Puces St-Ouen where the stalls are permanent, you are more likely to get a good price to save the vendor having to take their items home again.
Attractions nearby
Also in the 14th arrondissement are the Catacombs of Paris containing the skeletons of more than six million people!
Close to here is the Montparnasse cemetery, a peaceful and interesting cemetery to visit and containing the graves of many famous people.
Between the Montparnasse cemetery and the Jardin du Luxembourg is the Zadkine Museum with a good selection of Zadkine's work.
You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.
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Places to visit near Porte de Vanves flea market
Montparnasse Cemetery
The Montparnasse Cemetery is Paris' second largest cemetery and many well known figures are buried there including Jean-Paul Sartre.
Montparnasse Cemetery guide
Catacombs
For a different side of Paris, explore the ancient catacombs in tunnels underneath the city
Catacombs guide
Zadkine Museum
The Zadkine museum holds an excellent collection of work by the 20th century sculptor and painter.
Zadkine Museum guide
Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most extensive and most popular public parks in Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg guide
Pantheon
The 18th century Pantheon was originally to be a church based on the pantheon in Rome, but is actually used as a temple to honour the great and good from the world of French arts
Pantheon guide
Church Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The Church Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an ancient (6th century origins) church in the Latin Quarter of Paris
Church Saint-Germain-des-Prés guide