Three clothes shops which stock an incredible array of vintage clothes with plenty of designer labels. All piled high and ready to rifle through. And in a popular tourist area, so very easy to find.

www.mouton-a-cinq-pattes.info/adresses.html

(6th arrondissement)

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One of my favourite ways of spending a Sunday morning (not too early though) is to hit, what I consider, the best market in Paris. It is similar to a carboot sale in the UK (or a yard sale in the States). The market at “Porte Montreuil” is not chic or filled with expensive antiques like “Les Puces de Saint-Ouen” - it’s pretty grimy and grotty. Just anybody can rock up and put some stuff on the ground and sell it (although, beware the police do come by now and again and “move people on”).
There are plenty of the expensive vintage/retro clothes and furniture stalls plus lots of cheap/fake perfume, branded clothes at the beginning. But as you get towards the back you can find the real gems, vintage 1950’s petticoats for 5€ (I shouldn’t really be telling you this, now it’ll get expensive), vinyl records for 50 cents, retro crockey - you name it you can find it. You just have to have a real rummage and do some hardcore haggling. Try and not look like a tourist as this will result in an instant doubling of the price.

Saturday and Sunday 8am - 2pm
Metro Porte de Montreuil, line 9
khookie.com/2007/12/07/knick-knacks/

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Brocante at 2 rue Eugène Spuller by Square du Temple, (Temple Métro)
If your timing is lucky, twice a year approximately mid to end of May (start looking from mid-May, this year it is 29 - 31 May), and near the beginning of December, the Comité des Fêtes organizes a huge fleamarket which spills onto the surrounding streets Eugene Spuller, de Bretagne, Perrée, Debelleyme and Dupetit-Thouars, Place Turenne, Carreau du Temple and the Cour de la Mairie in the 3rd. Arr. It is like a smaller Clignancourt and other flea markets before they became too well known. It runs Friday morning until Sunday night and is where you can find everything and amazing vintage; trinkets, clothing, furniture, toys and treasures starting from one euro. A tip is to be the first to buy something in the morning, the vendor will usually accept any reasonable offer as it is a good omen for the rest of the day. The other brilliant thing is to be there near the close as after 7pm as you can get things that are left for free - it helps to speak French! The atmosphere is good and generally the people are very nice, as it seems this is a one off for them and they are doing it for fun. The Christmas Brocante is perfect for getting one of a kind gifts.

Also as an additional tip to NookandSpoon's for Free 'P' Star: look in the low bin along the wall to the right under the hanging clothes, you can find amazing things, all priced at three euros. I got a spectacular 70's dress the last time.

Brocante at 2 rue Eugène Spuller by Square du Temple, (Temple Métro)

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This little boutique in the Marais is a favourite among fashion-forward Parisiens. It sells a mix of first and second hand clothes, shoes and accessories, and is a great antidote to the sometimes suffocating Bo-Bo style (bourgeouis-bohemian) with its mix of androgynous punk, 80's and early 90's style. Prices vary but are consistently reasonable and the shop itself is worth a visit just to see the changing rooms which are hollowed out red British phone boxes, complete with BT adverts and a dogging smell of urine!

22 Rue Roi de Sicile 75004
Metro Saint-Paul
www.noirkennedy.fr

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The second hand clothes section of the flea market at Porte de Montreuil is how vintage shopping on a budget should always be. Go on a Monday morning when it's just the locals and most things are 2 euros or under. You won't find high fashion here, although i got a great chunky knit lacoste jumper last time, it's more other people's cast aways, which i think is just as interesting. If you are into grungy california cool t-shirts, interesting prints, or just some really amazing bargains, this is the one for you.

Avenue de la Porte de Montreuil, 75020
Metro Porte de Montreuil

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This vintage shop, as well as being hidden away in a back street of Bastille, was completely unknown to all of my Parisian friends. During the many hours i have spent in the surprisingly large and satisfyingly musty basement it has come to be one of my favourite fail-safe places in Paris. Some of my most exciting finds include patent Chanel 'bovva boots', a grungy men's Missoni jumper and a plethora of Doc Marten shoes and brogues in girls sizes. Prices are not dirt cheap so if you're looking for a 5 Euro breton stripe t-shirt then try Coiffeur instead, these are serious labels so cost a bit more. As memory serves me, the Missoni was around 60 euros and shoes are all about 40. If you have an interest in fashion and the time and patience to look, this shop will unearth you some absolute treasures. Not open on Saturdays.

16 Rue Taillandiers, 75011 Paris.
Metro Bastille

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If, like me, you know that going to Paris means going clothes shopping then here is a treat: mens’ and ladies’ wear shop Comptoir du Marais.

It has two floors packed with stylish but wearable designs by young French designers and is unbelievably cheap! The shop has a tea room and small gallery where you can relax with your bags - inevitably full of clothes you have just bought. Tucked away at the end of Rue des Mauvais Garcons (street of the naughty boys) in the heart of gay Paris – this boutique is well-behaved wallet-pleasing fun.

8 rue de Moussy, 75004 Paris. + 33 1 4274 0606
www.comptoirdumarais.com

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There is a fantastic secondhand clothes shop on Rue de la Verriere.

The shop is packed full of stuff mainly from the 1970s/1980s but also earlier and priced between EUR5 and EUR30.

Well worth a rummage.

Rue de la Verriere (between Rue du Reynard and Rue du Temple)
Nearest metro: Hotel de Ville

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