I recently returned from a three week tour through Germany, Paris, London and Geneva, Switzerland.
It was a whirlwind of rock-n-roll clubs, performing with The Luxembourg Signal, a music project for which I have been lending my vocals for a number of years. This was our second European Tour to support our second album, which just hit shelves last week!
The days were full and we were traveling with a large group.
Our free days were often welcomed by the dude and me as an opportunity to relax (the daytime tourist/late night club life is exhausting!). But we did make it out to a number of special sites. And one of those adventures is of particular interest to TEOT.
On a Sunday in Paris, Heffe and I hit the subway and headed to Les Puces, aka the flea.
It was a bit overwhelming at first, as we were swimming through massive amounts of street vendors. They were aggressively hawking super fly tennis shoes and glass bongs.
It was not exactly what I was hoping for, but we rambled on until I spotted a sign leading to Marche Dauphine. I had read a bit about the markets and recalled that particular section of the market as our moment for antiques and collectibles.
Once we tucked ourselves into the Marche Dauphine alley, the world grew calm again and I felt like we’d found what we were looking for.
I’m sure plenty of ladies can relate to the heavy sighs from your shopping partner when that partner is your dude. I know some dudes that would really be into the flea market. My brother is one. But Heffe is not moved by stacks of ticking stripe napkins or centuries old silver. There was a powerful amount to wade through and we definitely spent a good deal of time roaming the halls, but my heart wasn’t into the dig so I didn’t linger too long at any particular booth.
Instead I fantasized about heading back some day with Sarah.
Particularly as I thumbed through the stacks of crumbling silk tapestries in the one and only textiles booth we found. I eavesdropped on two American women as they chatted with the fluent shopkeeper. She was issuing warnings against the other sellers and the many pick pockets in the area. She also mentioned that hers was the only textile booth because there was not much money to be made in textiles anymore so many sellers had abandoned the market.
On the day that we return, I imagine we will need to do some outreach first, to find a fellow flea market lover like ourselves, but someone who is familiar with the area and the language and can help us navigate the scene.
I did love all of the childrens lit and wondered how completely radical your kid might be if they grew up reading French bedtime stories.
There were plenty of opportunities to add to your hipster enamel pin collection. These were fun!
I paused over the old iron signs. When we moved into our house, the previous owner had a few French signs posted on the fence that got lost when we replaced it. I do miss them. I looked here for a replacement but didn’t find anything appropriate.
I thought that this was a rather sophisticated mix of eras.
I’m becoming a bit obsessed with chambrays, so I dug through this pile a bit. Chambray pillows to hit Shop TEOT soon.
This looks like an entire rack full of midcentury mumus. Love all those patterns.
I mean, I really love the patterns of the seventies. This tea set fills me with delight.
We took a break for a crepe and I practically fell in love with this character right out of the street scenes from Beauty and the Beast.
I also enjoyed a fantasy in which these were the lace kerchiefs and doilies of the famed Nadja, an Andre Breton character that has lived inside of me since my Art History days of college.
Rug stacks of the Orient look the same in France as they do back home. 
Another delightful aspect of the Marche Dauphine includes this UFO specimen, popular with the littles. 
And lastly, I do have a bit of a thing for this early 20th century gym equipment. The leather is so sumptuous. It’s butter. I like the idea of decorating with it, but thus far I have only encountered it out in the wilds, far from home. I don’t know about you guys, but I am 100% a creature of convenience and until I find ways to make shipping large pieces of furniture home from my indie band tour, I’ll just have to want.
Much love to y’all for reading my post. Holler back if you have any experience with the Paris Flea Market that you want to share. This was my first taste, and I’m sure to go back with a stricter purpose next time!
