Feeling the Paris pinch? Take a stroll down the rue Saint-Placide in the heart of the tres cher 6th arrondissiment. At the end of the road, you'll find one of Paris's most famous department stores, Le Bon Marché, and foodie's paradise, Le Grand Epicerie. But on your way to splash the cash, you can check out a street that's a treat for bargain hunters.
No. 58 La Generale de Pharmacie sells many French cosmetics and beauty products at 40% cheaper than a normal drugstore. Look for Roche Posay, a French brand for sensitive skins -- easily as good as Clinique and 1/3 price. Stock up.
At no. 45 is a clandestine chausseure operation, depicted above, going by the name of Moda. The exterior windows are stacked high with shoe boxes; the owner does not want any publicity because they have an agreement with the big names to keep schtum about their wares. Inside, you'll find cute and colorful Marc Jacobs, Cacharel, Chloe loafers, and sexy Viktor and Rolf high heels. They also have men's shoes, including Prada sneakers and good-quality formalwear shoes. All this at 50-60% less than normal price.
At no. 35, Pullsion sells cut-price classic French brand Petit Bateau, a brand for kids but worn by everyone from French teenagers to grandmothers, priced from €9 euros -- a fraction of the cost at the shop on the Champs Elysées.
The Latin Quarter adopted its name from the early Latin speaking students that lived there and has been inhabited since the early Middle Ages. You will generally find artists, intellectuals, and others who have adopted a Bohemian lifestyle. This area include various Paris landmarks like the Musée de Cluny, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Muséum National d'histoire Naturelle, and the Jardin des Plantes. At the heart of Latin Quarter, as its symbol, stands famous University La Sorbonne . It's a vibrant neighborhood with both historical buildings and fine shops. At night, enjoy the smoky pubs and jazz clubs.
This quarter has a vast array of stores that are beautiful and with a good quality at a price that fits on our budget.
Directory of Flea & Antique Markets
Marché d'Aligre
Address: Place d'Aligre, 75012 Paris
One of the city's most interesting markets, made up of the covered Marché Beauvau (open since 1777) and an open-air market in the surrounding square with produce as well as flea-market stalls. Aligre is both well supplied and typically Parisian. It's a great place to get an insight into life in the capital, and shows off its cosmopolitan side with numerous Asian and North African shops located around the market. Don't get there too late, or you'll find all the good things have gone.
Hours: Tues. - Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ledru Rollin (line 8)
Marché aux Puces de Montreuil
Address: avenue de la Porte de Montreuil, 75020 Paris / 93100 Montreuil-sous-Bois
Like one vast car boot sale, this market disgorges mountains of second-hand clothing, parts for cars, showers and sundry machines, and a jumble of miscellaneous rubbish from its dusty, grungy bowels. You'll find little pre-1900, but there are fun collectables like branded pastis water jugs.
Hours: Sat. - Mon., 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Porte de Montreuil (line 9)
Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
Addresses: avenue Georges Lafenestre & avenue Marc Sangnier, 75014 Paris
Phone: (+33) 06.88.64.82.77; E-mail: pucesdevanves@free.fr
Every weekend of the year, 350 stall holders await you: furniture, trinkets, paintings, fabric, glassware, time pieces, jewelry, military objects, photography, music, and curios. In the heart of Paris, an exciting place that will capture your imagination. It's the place to visit for flea market enthusiasts.
Hours: Weekends; avenue Marc Sangnier until 1 p.m.; avenue Georges Lafenestre all day.
Porte de Vanves (line 13)
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen
Address: 48, rue Jules Vallès (Marché des Antiquaires), 93400 Saint-Ouen
(between the Porte de St-Ouen and Porte de Clignancourt, just outside 18th arrondissement)
The world's biggest flea market welcomes 200,000 visitors each weekend. You name it, this place has it: furniture, pictures, new and second-hand clothes - all at rock-bottom prices (especially if you're adept at haggling). There's a jovial fairground atmosphere, with the aroma of food wafting in the air and people crowding round the stalls, hoping to pick up a 1970s leather jacket or rare Louis XV chest of drawers. Make sure to bring cash, as stallholders seldom accept credit cards and the nearest available ATM always has a line.
Hours: Sat. - Mon., 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Porte de Clignancourt (line 4), Porte de St-Ouen (line 13)
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