A Beginner’s Guide to the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

The first stop on our shortlist is the Marché Vernaison, which is one of the markets closest to the Porte de Clignancourt Metro station. There is quite literally no end to the bizarre and wonderful objects that you can find here, though ostensibly it specialises in toys, glassware and scientific objects. There are over 200 stalls under its banner, spread over an area of more than 9,000sqm (97,000sqft), some of which are the oldest in the entire market.

Feel encouraged to spend an hour or so getting lost in its narrow passageways, and don’t be afraid of poking your nose into some of the more private-looking courtyards, as they contain some of the most jaw-dropping pieces. Be sure to at least stick your head into the legendary Chez Louisette. Dripping with tinsel at all times of the year, this cabaret café isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a genuine experience that would be a shame to miss.

Next, we have the Marché Dauphine. Constructed in 1991, it is one of Saint-Ouen’s largest markets. Alongside beautiful furniture and antiques from the 17th and 18th centuries, you’ll find the Carré des Libraires, or Booksellers’ Square, as well as stands dealing in vintage records, clothing and prints. Together, they total 150 merchants under the glass roof of a 6,000sqm (65,000sqft) pavilion.

Some of the most interesting features of the market include the gigantic 1970s spaceship in the central square, the unusual flooring on the second level, a sort of wooden cobble block affair and the colourful entrance mural. For a bite to eat, head to Les Gastropodes at the far end of the market for some well-stuffed sandwiches, juicy meat dishes and a seriously delicious panna cotta.

Just across the road is the Marché Biron, the place to head to see wonders of Asian art and furniture from the 18th to 20th centuries. There are 220 antique dealers and art merchants set up along its two long strips, each of whom are eager to share their passion for their trades with you. Take your time to discover each stand, and don’t be shy about asking questions – there is certainly a lot to learn about the diverse range of goods on display, from the ceramics of the Far East to Art Deco ornaments designed and made in Paris.

Further along the Rue des Rosiers is the trendiest of all the markets, the Marché Paul Bert Serpette, which showcases the finest furniture, art and decorative items from antiquity to the 1970s. The dealers who call this market home really have their fingers on the pulse of avant-garde interior design. They constantly update their collections, which they innovatively and sophisticatedly stage, discovering and rediscovering unknown or forgotten masterpieces of the past.

Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris might have done its bit to raise the profile of the Puces de Saint-Ouen, but celebrities and other moneyed people in the know have been shopping here for years. Paul Bert Serpette has welcomed more than a few Hollywood or music industry stars in its day, including Julia Roberts, Sharon Stone, Mick Jagger and Kanye West.

There are a couple of places to eat around the edges of the market, but the largest and chicest of the options is Ma Cocotte. It serves lunch from noon till 4pm and starts its dinner service at 7pm. The large outdoor terrace upstairs is a great place to take in the scope of the market on a sunny day, or to curl up under a heater with a glass of something refreshing after a long day of browsing, bargain hunting or bank-balance brutalising.