Sunday, November 03, 2019

Marche au Puces shopping with V.

Yesterday Bear wanted to tag along when I gave V. an interior designer a private tour of the Marché au Puces. The last tour I gave there was eons ago to cookbook author Dorie Greenspan.
In 1920 Romaine Vernaison, a landowner, put up wooden sheds to rent to junkmen. Now the Puce covers 125 acres with 5 separate market and is the largest in Europe. You can get there with bus 85 or Metro line 4 to Clignancourt or of course Uber. We started with Vernaison, the biggest and most mixed Marché price and object-wise.
At the entrance, shop No.6 on the right is full of beads and ribbons. V. bought a meter of beautiful tapestry ribbon to match her bedroom while I flirted with a horseshoe buckle. Ines de la Fressange puts a stunning bead necklace together in the same shop on YOUTUBE.  
A terrific shop of just bakelite jewelry in Vernaison allée 7.
Pace yourself with a coffee midway at Italian Cafe A. Picolo at Dauphine on rue des Rosiers.
We booked lunch ahead at the famous old bistro, Chez Louisette. Great fun with singing and music and a hearty traditional boeuf bourgonion.
Very long ago I did an illustrated guide to STREET MARKETS still available on Amazon. Not so much has changed since then at the Puce. You want to plan ahead. Go early on Saturday mornings.
Afternoon the Parisian crowds arrive in droves. D
ress warmly in layers you can remove if the sun comes out. V. a Canadian used to below zero temps didn't mind the chill but I did. More layers next time.
V. was looking for a specific type sculpture to match a piece back in Canada. It certainly helps if you're on a hunt rather than looking at everything in sight - exhausting. By the way most dealers spoke English and were consistently helpful.
In Marché Biron the shops are more upscale and set up as furnished rooms. Dauphine is 2 floors and a mixup.
I hope you don't mind I'm posting more often of late - so many things going on in Paris this Fall. Its hard to keep up. Next week is the MADE IN FRANCEexpo, the annual MAP FAIRIMPERIAL CHOCOLAT AU FONTAINEBLEAU to name a few. Do you enjoy reading PB with your morning coffee☕️? Keep Bear in Paris 
with a letter or map subscription or a watercolor from my Etsy shop. Bear 🐻says Big Merci ❤️from Paris🇫🇷.

25 comments:

  1. A lovely start to my day Carol with my coffee!
    We had so much fun...I’d like to go back...next time, mon amie!
    V

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  2. ❤️❤️❤️ looks like such fun!

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  3. Keep those emails coming! I LOVE hearing from you more often and am in awe of your unrelenting energy! I'm hoping it will inspire me to be the same.

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    1. 'Unrelenting energy' Thanks, I wish 😄

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  4. Mind? No, we love them.

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  5. My dream Paris shopping destination!

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    Replies
    1. Then you MUST GO!
      Start planning now 👍🏻

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  6. Can't get enough & the first thing I read, so, no, you don't ever post too often. Looks like it was a really fun day & Bear met some new friends.

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    1. And I didnt buy a thing but had great fun browsing.
      I have been 'browsing' since I was 7 or 8. It used to be dolls and magazines. Now its mainly pastry.
      Bear is so socialble...sometimes I wish I was a bear🐻

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  7. I SO enjoy when you post - the more the better! I love your perspective and humor, and experiencing Paris with you. ����

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    1. Ahhh..Thanks Geri ❤️
      Very kind of you to say so 💋

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  8. I have your book. It is a delightful read. Recommended. Barb

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    1. Really! Wow...its old as the hills but the flea markets dont really change so its still useful!
      You made my day ❤️💋🐻

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  9. Angela3:53 AM

    Don’t worry - you can’t post too often! its always interesting.

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  10. Oh my! I would love this dearly!

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  11. Bonelle7:52 PM

    Love all the photos. So fun to ogle all the unique things. And, lunch at Chez Louisette! You do know how to live, Carol...sigh.

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  12. Please keep posting as often as you are able...
    You bring Paris alive to all of us living vicariously through you. Now, I need to go to YouTube and catch some more Ines videos...there are a zillion!

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  13. Oh my, thank you for the Ines de la Fressange link. I watched it three times, trying to catch a glimpse of everything! Must go to les Puces!

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    1. You absolutely must go at leadt one time !!

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  14. Anonymous2:08 AM

    Finding out about, reading about your illustrated guide to Street Markets? And yes, it's still available on Amazon.com...
    To think that you wrote it all without a typewriter, and together with your illustrations looking so perfect!
    You leave me speechless, Carol.
    Cheerios always,
    MR

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    1. Ha You do not want to know about all the spelling and grammar mistakes I had to hand correct
      ;(( a nightmare

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  15. Marilyn1:43 AM

    You can never post too many. I want to go to the market. Now I am off to amazon. I need to see your guide. M

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  16. It would be a great place to sketch! (if the vendors didn't mind...)
    So, I never did learn what happened in Portland town...
    I'm in the midst of practicing calligraphy...the same letters over and over. Then words. Then short sentences. Meditative, fulfilling, frustrating...all of that...last blog post touches on the subject...

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