The odds of finding an affordable, one of a kind bobble or trinket may not be in your favor — the real stuff carries real prices — but the chance is always there. Budget shoppers can have a field day here trying to find that one awesome item, as can those with significantly higher budgets.

The city has three markets of note, opened every weekend and easily accessible by the Metro. Go armed with a bit of cash, a few French phrases, a bottle of water, and plenty of patience to enjoy these institutions. Happy hunting!

Related: Tips for shopping at Paris Flea Markets

Hunting for treasures at Les Puces de Saint Ouen in Paris. Photo parisharing

Saint Ouen Flea Market

Metro: Porte de Clingancourt
When: Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday 10 am to 6 pm, Monday 11 am to 5 pm

The main marché aux puces that everyone uses as a reference point is the Marché Saint Ouen. Located just beyond the city limits to the north, it’s easily accessible via the line 4 at the station Porte de Clingancourt from Saturday to Monday. Follow the often disappointing stands of cheap souvenirs and off-brand jeans and you’ll eventually find alleys full of army surplus and other odds and ends leading to the real show.

The best bits are found around rue des Rosiers. Here, the tangle of streets houses several independent market, each one specializing in various antiques or home décor. There are even restaurants and cafés among the various stalls, so feel free to stop for a coffee or bite to eat between shopping.

The Marché Biron, with its red carpet and high-end antiques, might be a bit out of your league. But the Marché Dauphine, one of the largest of the markets housed indoors, could be the place to find a special treasure or two. Or get lost in the Marché Paul Bert Serpette to discover stall after stall of random, oftentimes useless objects.

Browsing through the vendors set up at Montreuil Flea Market. Photo J Marsh

Montreuil Flea Market

Metro: Porte de Montreuil
When: Saturday to Monday, 7 am to 7:30 pm

To the east, the puces at Montreuil is a Saturday to Monday affair where hundreds of vendors take up a spot around metro station Porte de Montreuil to sell their wares. Unlike Saint Ouen, it does not feature permanent stalls. Instead, vendors may just spread a blanket on the ground selling individual shoes while further down a true antique dealer will hawk near-priceless lamps and works of art.

The fleas are also the place to search for vintage clothes, and the Marché de Montreuil features many secondhand clothes dealers. True treasure seekers may be disappointed, but it’s still worth a walk on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Flea Market at Porte de Vanves

Metro: Porte de Vanves
When: Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm

To the south, the puces at Vanves, at metro station Porte de Vanves, occupies avenues March Sanglier and Georges Lafenestre every weekend from 7 am to 2 pm. More akin to a giant yard sale, this is the place to find works of art, religious statues, or other random objects to take home.

Browse the nearly 400 vendors before making your choice — but if you are sure about a purchase, feel free to feign disinterest and see if you can haggle the price down a bit. It’s worth a shot!

Vide Greniers

The weekend puces are open year-round, but they aren’t the only place to stock up on other people’s possessions. The vide greniers — literally “empty the attic” — are periodic yard sales in the streets of Paris. Think of them as pop-up puces.

These events can range from neighborhood-wide markets to just a few tables. The schedule is fairly accurate on this website, so check in to see what’s on nearby during your stay.

Tips for before hitting the markets

No matter which market you end up at, prep your wallet. Most merchants will prefer cash, though some of the bigger vendors will accept credit cards, especially when their chairs and end tables cost hundreds of euros. Just be careful with your money, as you always should be, when browsing the markets. Everyone is a potential victim for pickpockets.

AftRelated: Paris Shopping Tips: How to save on a shopping spree

Otherwise, take your time to wander the enormous collections of products available and cross your fingers that you’ll find something affordable and unique to take home with you.

The post Paris: A Guide to shopping at the top flea markets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So for each person on your list, be it the foodie or the hopeless lover of Paris, here are some suggestions for places to get inexpensive gifts.

Fashionista

The Marais has no shortage of vintage shops. Hop into the Vintage Désir on rue des Rosiers to rummage through the scarves, belts, or bags for under €10.  Other shops around the Centre Pompidou have all sorts of coats and accessories to explore with items as inexpensive as a few euros.  Mº St-Paul

Foodie

This might seem crazy, but for that special food connoisseur, head to Bon Marché’s Grand Epicerie, a veritable epicurean wonderland.  Normally people think everything in the store is overpriced, but there are cheapo options among the vast selection of locally-roasted coffees, condiments, hot chocolate, and holiday food if you look closely. No need for wrapping paper, either.  Just leave it in the shopping bag and you’ll be sure to impress. Mº Sèvres-Babylone

Inner child

Whimsical meets practical at Pylones, a design store that takes everyday items like ice cream scoops and dust pans and turns them into funky works of art. Take time to explore the whole store since every inch of counter space is filled with plenty of quirky and unique items. Bigger items can be a bit expensive, but most smaller items will still make you smile without spending too much. Check here for locations

Sweet tooth

For that insatiable sweet tooth, skip the chocolates and macarons and head to Epices Roellinger in the 2nd arrondissement.  The metal boxes of salted-butter caramels are only €5 and delicious.  Browse the shop’s spices and vanilla beans in case your sugar fiend likes to cook, too. 51 bis, rue Sainte Anne 75002

French fan

For that Francophile friend that has every possible Parisian item, check out one of the Fragonard shops for something unique but quintessentially French.  Perfumes, soaps, aprons, pillow cases, candles – they’ve got it all.  Consider the mini eau de toilette samples for guys and gals. It’ll cost less than Dior and it’s harder to find in the US. Check here for locations

Intellectual

For true intellectuals or that friend that adheres religious to geek chic, you can’t go wrong with an old fashioned paper book. Gibert Jeune by Place St-Michel has an amazing selection of travel and photo books that anyone will appreciate – even if they are in French. Used books and discount books are available throughout the store, so make sure you hit each floor. Mº St-Michel

Homebody

For someone who likes to stay home or just likes a well-decorated house, try Potiron for inexpensive but adorable home furnishings. Fun glassware, espresso sets, flatware, candles, and decorative boxes can all be bought for very reasonable prices. It’s like a Parisian version of Ikea with much cuter shopping bags. 57, rue des Petits Champs 75001

Can’t buy em anything?

If you have one of those friends who just can’t be bought for, fear not. The flea markets are a delightful alternative for inexpensive gifts from army surplus to decorative boxes and glassware. The weekend market at St-Ouen in the north of Paris is one of the biggest in Europe and is definitely worth a few hours of wandering. Even if they don’t appreciate the gift, you’ll have a great story to tell. Mº Porte de Clignancourt

Give us your suggestions

Who did I leave out, Cheapos? What other gifts can we get without going broke this holiday season? Tell us in our comments section.

The post Paris Gift Guide: Cheapo gift ideas for everyone on your list appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Delightful dealers

A cheapo bonanza!

This week I’ll introduce you to a few of my favorite dealers at the flea market. What makes them so extraordinary? I’ve known them for nearly ten years, and they’ve always been witty, kind and incredibly personable. Also, whenever I’ve been away for a stretch of time, they’ll greet me with un petit cadeau (little gift) or discount. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the locals value loyalty and repeat business—fidélité—as much as anything.

Besides, their objects of beauty, kitschy goods, and vibrant wares have always been reasonably priced, too. So keep your eyes peeled for these superstar dealers (and your future friends) at the Puces! Most of them have been showing up at the century-old Porte de Vanves for decades. Their location changes depending on the day, so study these photos! Have a question or looking for a specific item? Do ask—and tell ’em you’re a Cheapo!

Getting there

Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves (Porte de Vanves Flea Market)
Metro: Port de Vanves, line 13
Days and hours: Every Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Web site

Catherine and her kitsch

As the flea market opens at 7 a.m., and the dealers start packing up to leave around noon, get your beauty rest, and arrive early! Carry cash and a sturdy bag for your finds. By the way, just beyond the Métro station, you’ll find an ATM machine, a patisserie, and a café with a WC.

I’ll wait for you inside the cozy Le Fournil de Vanves Patisserie. Why do I love this place? Because whenever I’ve spent all my coins over at the flea market, they’ve never, ever complained about breaking a big euro bill—even for a cookie sale!

Okay! Finish the cookie before it crumbles, and let’s shop till we drop!

Looking for kitsch in all the right places?

Catherine has got you covered. Through the years, she’s helped me build a fantastical and oh, so hip vintage sunglass collection! Today I was able to score a glow-in-dark Mary statue for just one euro! I attempted to also buy a few marbles, but she threw them in the bag and whispered the magic word, “cadeau” with a wink! She’s been with Porte de Vanves for nearly 22 years! “I was just a baby,” when I started she said with a big laugh. I like her. And you’ll appreciate her humor and discounts, too!

Looking for fine vintage duds?

The fashionable and super-cute Martine has been with the flea market for a decade. I always make a point of popping by her booth because her prices are so reasonable and I find her family of mannequins so charming! You’ve seen them, Cheapos. I’ve featured them here in previous stories. This time, however, they were fully clothed! And Martine agreed to pose for a stylish family portrait! Oh, la la! Again, if you’re on a quest for something special, ask Martine! Vintage clothing is her life passion.

Dial “M” for magnificent

Golly, I’ve photographed this booth many times because of the colors they use! Besides being photogenic, the objects are quite interesting. More than once I’ve spent a full hour at their table. Danielle and Pierre (pictured, top) have been with the flea market for 25 years.

“We price to sell, not keep,” Danielle told me today. It’s true! All items are reasonably priced. They specialize in vintage perfume bottles, barware, kitchen ceramics, tools, and other objects of curiosity. Need a conversational piece for the office or home? Here’s your stop! Again, laughter and good cheer reign here! It’s contagious.

Serge holds the key(ring)

New obsession

And speaking of big giggles and blushes, my name is Theadora, and I have a new flea market obsession. I’ve seen them for years, but I’ve never been drawn to them. They’ve never screamed my name until last week at Serge’s booth. Cheapos, I’m now head over heels in love with French vintage advertising key chains. I know! Weird, eh? In ten minutes (one hour in flea market time), I went from zero to fifteen!

My absolute favorite is one from a little dress shop called “Fifi’s.” Inside is a miniature 3-d metallic red dress, circa (I’m guessing) the early Sixties. I blame the rather handsome Serge! You see, each one cost one euro, BUT if you purchase seven, well then, the total is just 5 euros. Get the addictive picture? He’ll even give you a basket, a chair, and if it’s cold—he’ll lend you his gloves. Do stop by and say hello to Serge!

While you’re at it, do stop by and say hello to Catherine, Martine, Pierre, and Danielle, too! Stay tuned for more Porte de Vanves profiles! I suppose you can tell that I love this place? Clipping from Holly Golightly, like Tiffany’s, it feels like nothing ever bad could ever happen to you here.

Happy hunting, Cheapos! Got a flea market question? Bring it on!

The post Paris: Dealers to meet at the Porte de Vanves flea market appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.