Puces de Saint-Ouen: the new upscale Paris neighbourhood

Each year, no fewer than 5 million visitors walk the streets of the Saint-Ouen flea market. A real Aladdin’s cave, antique enthusiasts come to look for unique objects they will find nowhere else. Since its creation in 1885, the Saint-Ouen flea market has become one of the trendiest spots in the capital and is set to become a chic neighbourhood of Paris.

The paradise for bargain hunters

The Puces de Saint-Ouen comprise more than 1,500 traders spread across a gigantic 7-hectare market located north of Paris. This flea market is said to generate annual turnover of approximately 400 million euros.

Craftspeople, antique dealers, creators and designers are brought together across 15 different markets with as many different atmospheres. You can visit the Biron market, the Dauphine market or the Vernaison market, which remains the benchmark market as it is where the Puces de Saint-Ouen originated.

Old furniture, decoration, vintage clothing or jewellery, the Puces satisfy bargain hunters but also curious visitors who are not necessarily looking for a rare piece but simply beautiful objects to complete their decoration.

A giant organised jumble, the market is above all a true paradise for antique enthusiasts. From Crystal chandeliers to Voltaire armchairs to old vinyl records, antique dealers and traders always find what they are looking for in Saint-Ouen.

The Puces become trendy

Who would have thought a few years ago that the Saint-Ouen flea market would become one of the most fashionable spots in the capital? Founded in 1885, it was set up by Romain Vernaison to bring together the ragpickers expelled from central Paris. The Puces today are an impressive source of history-laden objects that attract brocante enthusiasts but also newer, trendier and more contemporary shops.

Indeed, for some months now, the Saint-Ouen flea market has been experiencing a new lease of life. A new generation of traders has taken over the stalls. At the Malik market, between second-hand clothes and old uniforms, you will now find trendy sportswear clothing.

Philippe Stark, a French designer of international renown, designed the decor of the restaurant Ma Cocotte at the heart of the Paul Bert Serpette market. Globally famous stars such as Lenny Kravitz, Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone or Mick Jagger have walked through the aisles of the flea market when passing through Paris.

Self-proclaimed the largest antiques market in the world, the Saint-Ouen flea market is even featured in the address books of film industry professionals. Some costumes from the famous Pirates of the Caribbean franchise were found in Saint-Ouen!

The Puces has also become a favourite walking spot for Parisians and Ile-de-France residents alongside Montmartre, the banks of the Seine or the Marais. Every Sunday, thousands of curious visitors come to wander through this open-air museum to admire its many antiques.

If you too would like to enjoy every day the atmosphere of the City of Light, its many parks, monuments and atypical neighbourhoods, discover our properties in Paris and the surrounding region.