Last Summer I went to study abroad with the Food and Travel Study Abroad Program at USFSP. The program goes to Germany and France with Prof. Janet Keeler. I heard that Prof. Keeler is in Germany right now with the next group. I am eagerly looking for her posts on social media because she truly has the best program with stops at Strasburg and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, the Black Forest in Germany, Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and the best and largest flea market in the world - the Marche Aux Puces De Saint-Quen in Paris. This article is dedicated to the vintage lover interested in unique mementos and willing to go to Paris to find these treasures.

Marche aux Puces de Saint-Quen market, better known as the Paris flea market is in every single way adventurous, surprising, unforgettable, delightful and an unforeseen instant gratification. The market covers around three thousand merchants in a seven hectare area. In a weekend, the market welcomes 180,000 shoppers. It is no doubt the biggest flea market in the world.

The objects sold in this bazaar range from the bizarre all the way to the sublime. On any given day, a vintage shopper can find a dissected cat with the head of a duck, or a Mexican charro hat along copies of Frida Khalo’s self-portrait. Some of my favorite items were a rosary with carved wooden beads and a silver cross from the early 1930's. Another treasure I found was a vintage beauty table from the 1700’s valued at 5K Euros. But my absolutely favorite was a telescope from the British Royal Navy from 1895 in mint condition valued at 2.5K Euros. Since I was supposed to bring presents to friends and family, my budget could not afford this wonderful treasure but I certainly impressed my sisters with these beautiful 14K gold rings with semi-precious stones from 1955.

No matter the budget, you will find something to impress your friends with, or a nice piece of décor for your home. Whatever the taste of the vintage lover, the Marche aux Puces de Saint-Quen market promises not to disappoint.