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Monday 2 Sept 2024   

Your Ultimate Guide to Shopping Like a Local at Vide Greniers & Brocantes!


There’s nothing quite like spending an afternoon browsing the treasures at a vide grenier or a brocante. Sifting through dusty boxes feels like unearthing relics of French history, with each piece telling its own unique story.

It is estimated that there are about 50,000 vides and brocantes taking place across France annually, so it is safe to say this is a very popular pastime has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike!

What's the Difference: Vide Grenier vs. Brocante?

Vide Greniers or ‘Vide’ (lingo for the locals) is really just a neighborhood rummage sale. This weekend tradition is popular among Parisians, who flock to these sales in search of hidden gems. Hint, if you want to spot the pro’s, they will usually be there the first morning before the vide is technically even open - they know that the early bird gets the worm!

A brocante is manned by a much more sophisticated seller (brocanteur / brocanteuse). These folks are well beyond hobbyists, this is often their business, and whether or not they have a physical location, they certainly know what they are doing. Finding a great deal here may be more relative to what you would pay elsewhere rather than finding a Picasso for 5 euros!

Tips for a Successful French Antiquing Adventure:

- Bring small bills and change: While you may get lucky to find a brocanteur that has a credit card terminal, most times you will not. And at a vide grenier, you’ll find prices in the ‘petite monnaie’ range from 1 euro onward.

- Pack your own bags: if you think you may buy fragile items, you may want to get your own bubble wrap. At vide greniers, the spirit is that you are buying from every folk, extras like wrapping and bags are limited!

- Don’t be afraid to negotiate: Haggling is expected at both vide greniers and brocantes. Sometimes just for the sport of it - it is welcome and expected. Keep it reasonable though - there can be a bit of pride with the folks selling, especially brocanteurs and you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you insult them and they refuse to continue to negotiate! We’ve seen it happen.

- Mind your manners: Your French etiquette applies even at the open market, so be sure to always start with a ‘bonjour’!

While we could ramble on and on about all of the different vides and brocantes we love, today we’re just going to focus on two of our favorites that we think you should definitely drop by should you be in France when they are taking place!

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

If you’re in Paris over the weekend, look no further than the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, affectionately known as Les Puces.

This is Paris’ largest flea market, featuring around 1,700 merchants scattered across seven covered markets and five shopping streets. It is the largest concentration of antique and second-hand dealers in the world! They welcome over 5 million people a year and are a must-visit for any thrifting aficionado out there.

To get there you can take line 4 to Porte de Clignancourt, inside the station, look out for the signs pointing you toward the exit for “Marché aux Puces”, and continue following the signs once outside!

They are open three days a week: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.


Braderie de Lille

Did you know that Lille, a city just north of Paris, hosts the largest flea market in Europe each year? It’s just a one-hour train ride from Gare du Nord to Lille’s city center.

If you are interested in visiting Lille during this highly sought-after weekend, now is the time to start planning. Fail to plan, plan to fail as you can expect more than 2 million people coming in to enjoy this fabulous city-wide event. Everyone will be lining the street with their wares, from the present-day boutiques to antique dealers to folks like you and me.

With over 10,000 stalls it is impossible to get around to everything (it would take a full 40 hours to cover all the streets where the Braderie takes place), so you will want to pick and choose. Consult the map posted on their website to target your area of preference.

- Go early! The morning of the first day is a sweet spot. After lunchtime, the city quickly fills with visitors from all parts of France and Europe to enjoy the weekend. The main alleys are so busy it can be difficult to get around.

- With the number of people in the city for the weekend, finding accommodation can be tough! If you want to make it a weekend visit, secure your accommodation as early as possible!

- If a weekend visit isn't feasible, a day trip is a great option. With frequent trains back to Paris, you can enjoy a full day of exploring.

- Prepare for lots of walking! The entire city center shuts down to foot traffic during the event, so be ready to explore on foot.

- While you are there, indulge in moules frites! If there is one thing our northern neighbors are known for, it is this fabulous dish and they will be everywhere!

They are consumed in such mass, apparently more than 500 tons, that they are thrown onto the streets of the city. Half the fun is watching them pile up. Our advice? Arrive early for lunch to beat the crowds!

Head on over to their website for more information!

Central Paris Location

Last Minute Course Places

19 Nov 2024

  • French Pastry / Les Choux, éclairs and more : Technical Choux Pastry
  • Intensive everything Choux Pastry, from Savory to Sweet! From the tempting and delicious éclairs and Paris-Brest to delicate savory Gougères!

  • La Cuisine Paris, 80 Quai de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris     Time: 9:30 - 12:30
  • Price: €119.00     Availability: 2 places left

20 Nov 2024

  • French Baking Classes / French Baguettes and ‘Boulangerie’ Class
  • Three hours of French Bread heaven in the heart of Paris. Learn the tips and tricks to bring the French 'boulangerie' to 'chez vous'!

  • La Cuisine Paris, 80 Quai de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris     Time: 10:00 - 13:00
  • Price: €119.00     Availability: 5+ places left

20 Nov 2024

  • French Pastry / The Best of French Pastry
  • The perfect three hour experience for those that love the ‘best of’ classic French Pastries. Enjoy creating the delights you find adorning the windows of your favorite Paris Pastry boutiques.

  • La Cuisine Paris, 80 Quai de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris     Time: 14:00 - 17:00
  • Price: €119.00     Availability: 5+ places left

21 Nov 2024

  • French Market Tour and Cooking Class / Marché Maubert
  • Spend the morning like the locals, with a typical Parisian experience. A full immersion in to French culture with a French Market Tour followed by a hands-on French Cooking Class right in the heart of Paris !

  • Meet at 18 Place Maubert in front of the fountain, next to Metro Station Maubert Mutualité     Time: 9:30 - 13:30
  • Price: €189.00     Availability: 5+ places left

Our 'In Paris' Gift Guide

Thursday 14 Nov 2024

If you find yourself in Paris this holiday season, you'll want to take advantage and pick up those perfectly French holiday gifts (Self gifts are perfectly acceptable!)

We have compiled a petite gift guide to keep you busy! All the fabulous things that we know are on our wishlist!

Read more

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If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call on +33 (0)1 40 51 78 18 or email contact@lacuisineparis.com    Click here for further contact details