10 Top Thrift Stores and Antiques Stalls in Cannes

Marché Gambetta has a lot of fruit and vegetables on offer, but it also sells clothes and other items, such as records. You’ll find fast-food stalls similar to other regional markets, too, that sell food like the local delicacy socca – a chickpea pancake cooked on a flat iron pan and eaten much like a crepe. It’s a nice place to pick up some breakfast with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by. In 2011, it was renovated and a roof was added to allow the market to take place all year round.

Just a little out of town in the neighbourhood of Carnot, the Cannes Brocante store – or Isabelle Renault Antiquités – is a great place. It’s a chic shop full of second-hand goodies (or antiques) laid out in a stylish way. This is a place that both buys and sells interesting tables, chairs, and other items of furniture. The Cannes Brocante store has been going for 35 years, and two years ago it was merged with Isabelle Renault’s antique store. That way, it provides a little bit of both old bric-a-brac and more expensive treasures. Check out the Facebook page for current details of what’s on sale and when.

La Fripe Chic, in the centre of Cannes, is a fashionista’s dream, especially if you’re on a budget. They don’t have a website but use their Facebook page to communicate what they have to sell. Its loyal fan base describes the shop as a little store of treasures, where you can pick up some retro heels and matching bags or a stylish top to wear for lounging around the city’s rooftop pools. They hold braderies (seasonal sales) every so often, so you can go back for an outfit perfect for drinks on the beach.

Head to Le Dépôt for second-hand clothes and other items. They don’t have a very strong online presence (they don’t have a website and their Facebook page is limited). It’s probably best to give them a call before you set off, to find out their latest opening hours and all about their current stock.

Mini Môme is a children’s second-hand store that sells everything for babies and kids. It’s a dépôt-vente, which means that they will also buy baby items that you no longer have a need for, so long as they are in good condition. The store is a useful stop for people visiting as you can rent kids’ stuff that you might need temporarily, like a pushchair. They even loan out car seats, which can be very expensive when hiring a car on holiday.

TROC is a shop in the neighbourhood of La Bocca, a little outside the centre of Cannes, to the west of the city. It mostly sells second-hand furniture but also electrical equipment, kitchenware and other items for the home. For those staying in a long-term rental, this shop can be a useful stop.

Vide grenier literally means ‘to empty your attic or loft’. The French love a good flea market and vide greniers are held in most big towns. They’re a great opportunity to find little trinkets. Remember, ‘one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure’. In Cannes, you can often find vide greniers in the most charming places, but they also take place in car parks, like the Coubertin car park.

Every morning there’s a wonderful flower market in the centre of Cannes, where you can wander around looking at and smelling pretty fleurs (flowers). You’ll need to arrive in the morning during weekdays as they pack up at 1pm. At weekends, antiques are also displayed, and the flower sellers stay all day. You should find a little something for everyone while browsing the bric-a-brac stalls here: china plates, cutlery, crystal and old well-thumbed books. In addition, quite often during the weekends, there is a second market for local artisans who sell handmade notebooks, jewellery and clothes.

The Marché Forville is a must-see for any visitor to Cannes. On most days, locals sell fruit and vegetables as well as delicious local specialities to eat for lunch. It’s also a great picnic stop before heading up to the old town, Le Suquet, or down to the beach. But if you go on Mondays, you can browse for bargains, as that’s when the flea market is on instead. It’s a great place to find some really specialist stalls.

People in Cannes have been buying second-hand clothes from Déclic Dépôt for a long time. Recently, the owner, Isabelle Apoux, also launched Bingo Fashion, an online shop selling the latest chic clothing and accessories, such as second-hand jewellery, shoes and handbags. These are no poor man’s seconds here: expect to find designer brands like Chanel, Gucci, Prada and Versace. Check out their Facebook page for up-to-date details on what they have in stock before you visit.