About this experience
Are you a true fan of vintage items or just curious? Haven't decided what to do after visiting the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and d'Orsay yet? Let's change the scenery and enjoy new experiences! I suggest embarking on a treasure hunt at regional flea markets and discovering the real France: its historic towns and villages, picturesque valleys, and fields. You will see that Paris is not the entire France and find plenty of inexpensive but charming items with a fascinating history!
What to Expect
Atmospheric Flea Markets with Unique Finds
We will head to the suburbs of Paris to explore the most tantalizing corners of local flea markets, where the further from Paris, the cheaper! Your eyes will be delighted by beautiful vintage items: dresses and retro glasses, engravings and paintings, jewelry and exquisite knick-knacks, crockery and curtains crowded on the stalls. Don't be put off by the price: what costs 5 euros, we will buy for 3, if it costs 10 – we will haggle for five. And even if you don't speak French, you will soon understand what the seller is saying about your purchase. French people can't talk little, and you will take home not just a souvenir but a real piece of history. Of course, it's not always easy to find a gem among old dolls and tattered books, but believe me: your little treasure is already waiting for you among the nameless items!
Charm of Provincial France
You will not only have an exciting adventure in search of interesting items but also get acquainted with life in rural France. Because all the villages and towns we will visit are very different and interesting: here is the ancient residence of bishops, where the town center closes on flea market days, and here is the town of Nanterre-le-Mo, where the "Plum Pie Festival" takes place every autumn. At each market, you can try the delicacies for which a particular village is famous. For example, in the Champagne region, they offer champagne tastings, and in the Brie region markets, you will see so many local cheeses that it's hard to imagine! Also, French local sausages, an essential companion of any market. And cider in autumn, and mulled wine in winter. The list could go on and on, but it's better to see all this with your own eyes. Remember, recently they found a Renoir painting at one of these markets, and maybe the next one is waiting just for you!
Organizational Details
- To cover all the most interesting markets, the excursion will last 8 hours or less (depending on your fatigue level)
- The excursion is by car
- The excursions are held on Saturdays or Sundays
- The start and end of the trip are at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris
How to be the Perfect Shopper:
- Wake up early, wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking
- Take 5-10 euro bills and plenty of change. We will negotiate in a friendly but assertive manner
- Make a list of your desires! However, when you immerse yourself in this atmosphere, the list will lose its real meaning :)
