When I said I was moving to Paris for three months, those who know me well were worried for me. I’m a city girl, so adapting to the hustle and bustle of this little métropole (metropolis) wasn’t a concern. They knew I’d adapt eventually, and I totally have.

My friends, my family and (especially) my husband were all concerned that Paris would prove to be a frenetic playground on which I’d wield my stash of credit cards. They were worried I’d arrive with two suitcases and return with seven, stocked to the brim with pricey designer fashions and cool vintage finds. I promised everyone, especially my husband, that I’d closely monitor my passion for shopping (including my ongoing quest for the perfect handbag), focusing on the bare necessities and perhaps, from time to time, a great deal.

Of course, while visiting Le Bon Marche, I lost myself for a moment. Everything was so pretty that I almost convinced myself that a soft blue scarf with a €245 price tag was, in fact, a steal. Whoever said you could find a steal in Paris was either a true local or a very well informed touriste (tourist).

To ensure I fit into one of those categories, I paid an initial visit to Le Marché aux Puces in Saint-Ouen. As the world’s largest flea market, Le Marché aux Puces is filled with every sort of find, from furniture and clothes to books and house wares, and on occasion, a great deal. On this visit, I examined my options. After a little more hunting across the city, I’ll return to Saint-Ouen, with deals (and steals) in mind. Until then, here are some of my favorite finds.

If you plan to visit Paris soon and love to shop the flea markets as well, look me up – I’d love a shopping partner-in-crime!

Looking for more insight on flea market shopping in France? Check out Erica Berman’s interview of Claudia Strasser, interior decorator and Parisian flea market shopper extraordinaire.

Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Attention all design and interior décor gurus! This weekend there will be no respite for the aesthetically minded. After a week devoted to decorating the flesh, it’s time to think about the home. October 8-11, two not-to-be-missed events are competing for weekend shoppers – the Puces du Design and the Mondial de l’Antiquité – and turning the outer-limits of Paris into a playground for decorators and amateurs alike.

The Mondial de l’Antiquité, taking place in the famed St. Ouen flea market, will gather 1700 world-renowned dealers and their goods for a 3-day celebration of all things antique. The event, sponsored by the designers Marithé + François Girbaud, brings gastronomy to the (vintage) table with a challenge to 26 chefs: turning sophisticated recipes into finger food for shoppers. With results like a foie gras hamburger and chocolate-saffron macarons, we don’t doubt the event will draw as many foodies as decor gurus.

For those who prefer retro to gild, the Puces du Design should be the weekend’s highlight. With over 80 stands featuring vintage furniture, art and fashion from the 1950s through the 80s, cult pieces (like Eames’ rocking chair, Jean Prouvé’s chair or Jacobsen’s Egg chair) will be there as eye candy and for purchase, alongside the director’s pet project, Nuova Italia – an exhibit of Italy’s latest and greatest in Design and Décor.

Written by Geneviève Sandifer for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.