Red Shed Girls at the Paris Flea Market ** Day 4 ** Marche Aux Puces Shopping Tour

Today is The Day! We woke up early, but not TOO early because in France the flea markets Do Not open at 5 or 6am, they leisurely open around 10am. Finally, time to visit The Marche Aux Puces St Ouen, the birth place of all flea markets. It is now one of the largest and most famous flea markets in the world.
Primed and Ready to Go....our "players" from left to right, Lana, Michele M, Brittney, Kim J, Kim S, Marci, Joy, Jana, Valarie and Gigi. Who will find the best deal?Gigi and Lana with Jodie, who will interpret, negotiate and guide us throughout the market to make sure we make the most of our time and find any treasures we are specifically looking for......

And we are off........ aisles and aisles of beautiful displays and interesting finds.....

Michele and I always hit the antique crystal vendor first.

The supply is unlimited and the crystals come from as far back as the 17th century, these babies are the real deal......I am in HEAVEN, since this is the third year I have bought from the vendor, he lets me go behind his "fortress" and dig through his personal stash........
Look at this HUGE CRYSTAL! It is just a little too big and too expensive for our projects, but "be still my heart"! (By the way, the lead in these crystals set off those Geiger counters at the airport, like you wouldn't believe...we are searched from head to toe each time)
Here are just a few fabulous items we saw........a hand carved baby cradle with a swan holder for a net drape......
OH........some fabulous wreath embellished carriage lamps......you will NOT see these at Canton...
I think this may have been a carnival ride........

Love, love, loved this. It was a statue from an old fountain of a "grotesque" half pig, half elephant...Some stopped for a little break and the best onion soup around, at Cafe Paul Bert.....

And some didn't. If you only get to come once a year....no time to stop for food!! That's me, Val. I'm working my way down the aisle and talking to Michele on a walkie talkie...since we had to divide to conquer.......You never know what you will find.............
Many of the shop owners bring their dogs.....this little girl was our favorite...
And the wine bottle racks........they were so beautiful...
Can you tell what this chair cover is made from?

Here is one of our first mystery items. I loved the gold and silver elements. The French embossed plates and the architectural feel of the whole piece, but I didn't purchase it, though it was only 20 euros. Who can tell me why?

We had such a fabulous day at the St Ouen flea market! We will be posting many more photos later, but here are just a few of the items that we did buy. (These items will not be available at the Red Shed until our "French Market" sale in June). Antique french nautical trophies..

French anatomy posters........
Enamelware, perfume bottles, French photos and postcards. The black item on the left is an old metal film developer, with original instructions in French on the inside.
A set of fabulous French secret plates. What is the secret? You will have to wait for a new post to find out....
Wonderful French documents......
And maps on linen.........
French hotel silver from the Chateau du Louvre, and serving plates......

French bird prints....
And much, much more! Stay tuned for what everyone else bought, from Vintage Hermes' to just plain French junk. You know what they say...One man's treasure... Tomorrow is really one of our FAVORITE flea markets, Vanves. It is much smaller and the inventory is quite different, but Wheeling, Dealing, and buying out of the trunks of cars, when you don't speak a word of French... It doesn't get much better than that!