All of us have at the very least one nice journey on our bucket checklist. For some, it’s skydiving over the Dolomites. For me, and maybe different much less bodily inclined vacationers, it was spending a weekend scouring Paris’s iconic flea market Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen for one-of-a-kind treasures that may give me bragging rights for years. (Is there something higher than responding to a praise with “Thanks, I acquired it in Paris”?) Many internationally famend designers supply from the Paris flea, together with Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Timothy Whealon, Frank de Biasi, and Chahan Minassian.

Given the dimensions and scale of essentially the most well-known flea on the planet—it spans greater than 17 acres—I made a decision to enlist an professional to navigate its treasures. A couple of calls to French mates led me to David Thomas, an inside designer who has lived and labored in Paris for over 25 years and has designed shops for Goyard and Manolo Blahnik.

We began at Galerie Glustin, a beautiful showroom on the outskirts of the flea stewarded by third-generation furnishings sellers. It carries each classic and modern items in a historic residence. All the things is merchandised into little rooms and vignettes and accented by the house’s gorgeous centuries-old ornamental molding. It’s the proper amuse-bouche.

“There are 12 official markets and 5 streets with stalls at Saint-Ouen. It’s a distinctive expertise and one in every of France’s nice treasures,” Thomas says. “And every market has its personal traits. Marchés Paul Bert, Serpette, and Biron are the markets I exploit essentially the most and have the higher-end items and extra severe furnishings and objects. Vernaison and Malassis are extra funky, however you will discover fantastic treasures.”

You possibly can entry all of the markets from rue des Rosiers, the primary drag of the flea. In the event you’re in search of a simple place to get dropped off, have a taxi take you to Le Paul Bert (handle: 20 rue Paul Bert, discovered on the aspect entry to Marché Paul Bert—to not be confused with Bistrot Paul Bert within the eleventh arrondissement). There, you’ll be able to gas up on French omelets and low earlier than you start a day of market-scouring.

In the event you’re planning on severe furnishings buying, Thomas recommends getting your property’s ground plans completed first, then making a listing of the gadgets you need for every room, with dimensions, to slim down what you want. I packed my purse with an iPad (there’s often robust Wi-Fi), goop lip balm (Paris can get fairly dry, relying on the season), and a tape measure (although when you don’t have one, the sellers can at all times measure for you).

“From the checklist, I can then specify which items ought to be ‘wow’ gadgets that I can supply on the market. However I at all times hold an open thoughts. Generally the unplanned ‘wow’ piece involves you whereas buying, and the room structure and furnishings checklist can then be adjusted as wanted,” Thomas says.

If in case you have the posh of some days, Estee Stanley, inside designer and founding father of The Eye Agency, advises doing a number of runs: “Do a primary move and put gadgets on maintain that you just love. Then take the time to verify measurements and thoughtfully make your alternatives. However bear in mind, as a result of so many gadgets are one in every of a sort, they go shortly.”

While you like a bit however want extra time, ask the seller to write down down the merchandise, dimensions, and provenance on their card, which has their precise allée (avenue inside the flea) and stand location so you’ll be able to simply discover the stall later.

For furnishings, Thomas suggests beginning with Paul Bert and Serpette, the lined market inside Paul Bert, for an summary of the number of items on supply. In case you are wanting extra for distinctive objets d’artwork or memorabilia, he recommends Vernaison for its “mixture of treasures and trash” and Biron for nice silver items or ornamental objects.

At Serpette, one in every of my first stops was a stall run by Thomas Bonzom (Marché Serpette, allée 4, stands 14 and 16). I practically cleaned out his assortment, shopping for a beautiful classic sofa from the Seventies, an impeccably restored Carlo Scarpa chandelier, and a travertine espresso desk.

Most sellers are on the web vintage market 1stDibs, however costs are usually extra inexpensive on the flea; you bypass the 1stDibs fee and sellers are extra keen to barter in individual. In the event you hit it off with a seller or have a mutual pal, they might even open up their warehouse for you, as Joseph from Pheromones (allée 1, stands 116, 118, 120, and 122) kindly did for me. Joseph sells to Raf Simons and different main style names, and he has the type of timeless items I envision residing in an eccentric designer’s Antwerp residence. I left with two classic benches—one by Charlotte Perriand, whom I’d at all times dreamed of proudly owning a bit by.

Whereas some stalls could seem intimidating, particularly in case your French is restricted, Thomas advises getting in and exploring. A smile and easy “bonjour” will often do, and most of the stalls have hidden nooks or higher flooring that you could’t see from the surface. “It’s typically the place you discover the items with character that make a house really feel collected,” Stanley says.

Cease for lunch at Chez Arnaud on rue des Rosiers on the entry to Marché Biron, the place you can even sneak in a glass of wine if you could work up the braveness for among the larger purchases you’re considering (or at the very least that was my technique). You’re in France; it’s a part of the joie de vivre.

Although the flea is finest identified for classic, you’ll additionally discover modern items from French designers and artists, lots of which aren’t obtainable internationally.

Thomas’s finest piece of recommendation? “Belief your intestine. In the event you adore it—and it’ll match within the room, in fact, each actually and figuratively—it’ll work,” he says. “The primary piece I ever purchased was a Nineteen Twenties membership chair with the unique leather-based and velvet seat upholstery. I used to be very younger, had little cash, however cherished the chair. It’s nonetheless in my bed room. I don’t bear in mind who I purchased it from, however I cherish it.”

The best way to Ship Your Purchases Dwelling

Most particular person sellers can ship gadgets immediately for you, however needless to say this tends to be the costliest choice.

In the event you’re shopping for quite a bit or larger gadgets, it’s often cheaper to ship the gadgets via an expert shipper. Most shippers will do the heavy lifting for you. You give them a listing of your gadgets they usually’ll go to every stall—even arranging for particular person funds and sending a consolidated bill when you select.

Hedley’s is Thomas’s shipper of selection. He’s labored with them for over 20 years. “They’ve shipped everywhere in the world for me,” he says. “They’ve an excellent crew—are very organized {and professional} and at all times joyful to assist. They’ll accumulate all gadgets and pack and ship to your property—door-to-door service, together with customs duties—from the smallest buy to a whole family. They’ve workplaces on the flea market which might be open Saturday and Sunday, simply subsequent to the parking zone in Marché Paul Bert.”

Euroline is one other strong selection. There are additionally transport distributors on the flea, similar to EDET, and the person sellers will typically have somebody to suggest.

The place to Keep for Your Paris Flea Journey

Saint James Paris

Prints abound at this gorgeous château resort, designed by Laura Gonzalez. Every room is exclusive, full with an array of Pierre Frey materials, and the Guerlain spa and basement pool is the proper place to unwind after a protracted day of strolling the stalls. In spring and summer season, go to the pergola bar within the yard for cocktails.

Soho House Paris

Given its location in Pigalle, the resort is about quarter-hour nearer to the flea than the storied lodges within the 1st. The up-and-coming neighborhood can also be an excellent location to see a trendier, much less touristy aspect of town.

Cheval Blanc

The brand new Cheval Blanc, designed by Peter Marino, is a departure from the extra historic grand lodges that Paris is legendary for. It’s modern and trendy, with one of the vital expansive rooftop views in Paris, and its location within the 1st makes it handy for strolling to dinners and buying.

What to Put on

1. Flat, snug footwear are key. I opted for these JW Anderson chain loafers, which give any outfit a great dose of stylish whereas nonetheless being snug sufficient to stroll round in all day. A cute sneaker can also be an excellent choice.

2. Chances are you’ll find yourself on the ground of a stall measuring an merchandise, so I’d suggest denim (I wore my trusty G. Label denims) or one thing flowy. Athleisure isn’t actually a factor in France, so skip the exercise garments.

3. Preserve your jewellery easy and carry a bag that zips shut.