Marché aux puces de saint ouen

Five million visitors who descend each year in search of rare treasures—everything from home goods to textiles.

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Flea markets are usually pretty big... but this is the biggest?
Flea market lore holds that Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest antiques and second-hand marketplace in the world. Even if it weren't, the sheer surface area (seven hectares) and number of vendors (around 1,700) suggests it should have its own ZIP code. And it certainly helps explain the 5 million visitors who descend each year in search of rare treasures, everything from home goods to textiles, although bargains are harder and harder to come by. There are 15 markets within the Puces, accessible from rue des Rosiers, the main street. Excellent! What do the vendors sell, generally?
Vintage high fashion, jewelry, mid-century modern furnishings, antique silver and tableware, vintage posters, old advertisements, and framable metro maps. If money’s no object, what goes in the cart?
One of the many antique decorative items—statues, paintings, vases, you name it. Any good deals to look out for?
Baubles and books, depending on their age and material. But don't come expecting extreme deals. This market is better for those looking for investment pieces. Who else shops here?
Everyone: Parisians, French travelers, foreign travelers, professional buyers, designers, and stylists. The fourth most-visited tourist landmark in France draws a diverse, international international crowd. What's the most striking part of this marché aux puces?
The labyrinthine scale of the markets; the meandering (more than the purchasing); and the chance to interact with the vendors.