Flea/Street Markets: 2003
Where did you find that fabulous souvenir? Let us know where you've found your favorite items in Europe.
Clingancourt in Paris
The best market in all my 20 years traveling in Europe has to be the Clingancourt
in Paris. They have everything you could want from cheap shoes,clothing
and just junk. But they also have some of the greatest looking antiques
you could want. Like all flea markets, prices start super high but with
some work and will power you can get them down to a 1/4 the asking price.
S Ross
Dallas, TX USA Sun 12/14/2003
Rome Clothing Market
By the cathedral of Saint John (San Giovanni), pass thru the arches in the
ancient walls and turn immediately right. Ahead and you'll find a sheltered "mercatino" (flea market) where only clothes are sold. Their quality is
average (don't expect them to last more than one season), but they're always
very fashionable and really cheap. This is because market sales are charged
with very low taxes, relative to shop sales (in Italy the seller is who
pays the taxes, not the buyer). The mercatino is known with the name of
the street: Via Sannio. You'll also notice that the whole street starting
from the arches (Via Appia) is lined on both sides with fashion shops, but
don't expect the same prices. By the way, keep in mind that we Italians
tend to judge people from their shoes (especially in the north).
Maurizio
Roma ITALY Mon 11/03/2003
Brussels, Belgium
I just recently found your site and it's wonderful! I have lived in Brussels,
Belgium, for years and would like to comment on the excellent Tongren market,
and mention a few smaller markets scattered around Brussels. Sunday mornings
at the "Petite Sablon" there is a very good, upscale market where we've
found many silver pieces. In Waterloo, a suburb of Brussels, there is an
interesting brocante market set up in the parking lot of the Carrefour Supermarket.
At the South Railway Station there is an open food/plant market of several
city blocks where you'll find stands operated by people from the many diverse
ethnic groups that live in Brussels. There is also a booklet that identifies
all the markets in Belgium.
Barbara McFadden
Brussels Belgium, USA Fri 10/31/2003
Athens
The Plaka district of Athens has literally ANYTHING a tourist could possibly
want. I haven't seen anything that rivals it in any other European city.
YB
New York, NY USA Mon 10/06/2003
Heidelberg Flea Market
The flea market at Heidelberg Messe is one of the best I've been to. I had
a hard time leaving and saw so many different items that are not avail in
the States anywhere at any price.
Dmulkey
Heidelberg, GE Sun 07/06/2003
Brussels Brocante Market
The brocante markets around Brussels are pretty fun...you'll find ANYTHING
there. Once I got a stuffed squirrel there for 10 euros...it was the hit
at the Christmas gift exchange!
Elizabeth
BE Thu 07/03/2003
Riem Fleamarket
The Riem fleamarket is directly accessable by U-bahn from Munich. Just get
off the train, surface, and follow the well deserved crowd. Old (by American
standards) jewelry, china, pottery, toys, furniture, pictures, etc. are
yours for a song. Expect to find lots of Delft and "Germany" signatures.
Get there early, they close up at noon.
USA Sat 06/14/2003
San Lorenzo Market - Florence, Italy
I also enjoyed shopping at the San Lorenzo market in Florence. I bought
a really nice leather purse for a fraction of the price. They've got some
great stuff there! And the prices are soft. As I continued traveling in
Italy, I saw purses similar to mine in retail leather shops that were priced
much higher. I also noticed other "San Lorenzo market items" that were being
sold in retail shops in other cities at higher prices. As overwhelming as
the choices in this market are, I recommend doing a "walk-through" first,
meeting the vendors and checking out the options and prices, then going
back and bargaining for what you want. On slow days, and near closing time,
vendors are even more willing to lower their prices in order to make a sale.
Take advantage of the opportunity, and have fun shopping in Florence!
LWC
San Francisco, CA USA Wed 06/11/2003
Paris Flea Market: St. Ouen
To get to the biggest flea market in Paris via the metro, the Purple/#4
line will take you all the way up to the Porte de Clingnancourt stop. Once
you get above ground, you will see a lot of people and vendors milling about.
There are a lot of people from all around the world. You can feel a little
overwhelmed when you first come up and start heading toward the actual flea
market. The first stands you see are those selling t-shirts, shoes, clothes,
and touristy items. The actual flea market is very peaceful and quiet with
dozens and dozens of wonderful shops and stalls selling vintage and antique
items.
When you come up from the metro, turn right and walk down about 2 city blocks through all the touristy vendors (ask if you are unsure: Ou est Rue des Rosiers? This street runs through the heart of the markets). There are actually about 13 markets. Marche Dauphine, Marche Vernaison, Marche Biron, Marche Michelet are the ones I visited. Most of the stalls sell or will give you a very handy map to the market. Each aisle is numbered, and each stall has a number.
It is well worth it but I recommend you go early and leave early. My
step-mom and sister stayed at the market until about 3pm and they felt
very uncomfortable walking back to the metro due to the streets becoming
even more crowded. Tip: Don?t make eye contact with the street vendors
and you will not have a problem passing without being bothered by somebody
trying to get you to buy a necklace or trinket. Don't be put off; I just
want to make sure you are prepared. There are websites about the market
(google "Marche du Puces"). A great inexpensive place to have lunch is
Pizza Napoli on the Rue des Rosiers. Have a great time.
C. Keathley
St. Louis, MO USA Tue 05/13/2003
Flea Market in Tongren
If ever in Belgium, visit the flea market in Tongren. Every Sunday morning.
Craftsmanship of the Belgium furniture is exceptional and usually you can
haggle a good price.
Colleen Shutter
Bitburg, Germany Wed 04/30/2003
Amsterdam - Waterlooplein & Antiques
Amsterdam - the Waterlooplien flea market was not worth our time, most stuff
similar to thrift store items here in the states and felt seedy. For antiques
there is a great center - DeLooier (11a-5p) on Elandsgrecht well organized,
good prices - excellent variety.
Manya
Covina Hills, CA USA Sun 04/13/2003
Florence & Rome street markets
I have to agree with C. Keathly about the San Lorenzo street market in Florence.
I enjoyed the experience, purchased a few items and generally had a good
day. I love street markets. This one had no antiques, but did have interesting
merchandise. I also went to Porto Portense in Rome this year. It is always
fun to go. Be sure to guard your things at both places, though. Last year
someone was in my backpack in Florence. Nothing of value there, though.
Cindy
IA USA Thu 04/03/2003
One thing we have learned is that if we buy things while traveling, and don't want to lug them around, we mail them home. It dosen't cost that much. Lots of shops will ship your purchases. Some things may take a while to get there but when they do, it's like opening a Christmas package.
Mike
Victoria, Canada Wed 03/12/2003
Berlin Flea and Art Market
I really enjoyed these two associated outdoor markets on "27th June" Street.
(I think). Easy to get to from the U-Bahn. Lots of interesting antique and
semi-antique stuff as well as the universal "clean out the attic" junk.
The art market was especially nice; a hand painted silk scarf set me back
a few more Euros than I expected, but is fabulous, and makes for a lovely
memory.
Lyn
Tucson, Az USA Mon 03/03/2003
San Lorenzo Street Market in Florence
The street market around San Lorenzo is packed with a wide variety of trinkets,leather
goods, souvenirs, clothing, and Florentine paper. I have to disagree with
the previous writer. I have purchased several items at the market and treasure
them. A person would be very disappointed, if they were searching for antiques,
however I highly recommend just doing at least one stroll through the market.
It's all a matter of perception I suppose but, I enjoyed it very much.
C Keathley
St. Louis, MO USA Fri 02/21/2003
street markets
At the market in Aix-en-Provence, I got a beautiful shawl in a pretty paisley
pattern--not cheap but a great souvenir. Even better, the young lady selling
them was very friendly (and English-speaking) and had tons in different
colors and patterns. It was nice to see something really unique amid all
the Provencal linens.
H.K.
Chicago, USA Mon 02/10/2003
Flea Market in Zurich
The big Saturday antiques and flea market in Zurich starts at 6:30 a.m.
but doesn't begin until May each year. It is held at Burki Platz on left
bank of Limmat River and by shores of Lake Zurich. This is a big one.
Tom McClelland
Rocklin, CA USA Mon 01/27/2003
Florence, Italy Market
My tip--don't bother. I love flea markets and always seek them out in whatever
European country I might be visiting. But San Lorenzo market was the first
flea market in Europe I left without purchasing a single thing. All I could
see was junk and extremely poorly executed knock-offs. I was really looking
forward to bringing my friends some "faux fendi" and "faux burberry"--just
for laughs. But there is "faux" and there is "faux". The stuff at the market
really wasn't worth a penny. "Faux fendi" where the gold paint from the
printed logo was coming right off and onto your hands from mere rubbing
(thank god i didn't scratch it with my fingernail)! "Faux burberry" made
from such thin acrylic (marked "100% lambswool", of course) you'd have to
wrap it around 1,000 times to provide some protection from the elements!
I didn't even look at the leather, but I'm sure it was of comparable quality
(a nice Italian "pleather" coat, anyone?). What's more I couldn't find a
single thing to take home as a souvenir.
USA Sat 01/11/2003