Paris in Spring - Vintage Seekers Trip to Paris
the best vintage shops, flea markets, iconic stores and favourite places to eat
Creative Director Nicola Orme headed to Paris for vintage treasures, storied stores, and places to linger.
With early ideas forming for the Spring Summer 27 collection, I spent a few days in Paris, gathering references by walking the city, people-watching, and getting lost among vintage rails and side streets. Paris does ‘effortless’ better than anywhere else, and in the spring, it feels especially alive. The pace is unhurried, and inspiration seems to sit around every corner.
Nothing feels overdone. There’s an ease that comes naturally here, and it shaped how I approached the trip, moving through vintage shops and flea markets in search of those singular finds that will inform what comes next.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and love vintage, good food, and beautifully considered spaces, this is the edit we’d follow without hesitation. A mix of the iconic and the under-the-radar, each one genuinely worth seeking out.
With recommendations from Parisian friends, I spent two days moving between vintage stores, flea markets, and the city’s grand department stores, the kind of places you could easily lose hours in. Keep it simple: one day for the flea market, one for vintage and the grands magasins. We’ve pinned everything on an interactive map, so you can follow it closely or dip in wherever catches your eye.
Getting there and where to stay
The easiest way to arrive, if you’re travelling via London, is the Eurostar from St Pancras International to Gare du Nord. Just over two hours on the train, and you’re straight into the heart of the city.
I stayed at The Hoxton Paris in Le Marais, a neighbourhood that sits right at the centre of everything, with cobbled streets, historic buildings, independent boutiques, and some of the best food in the city. It’s also home to many of the best vintage stores, so you’re never far from a good find.
The best Vintage Shopping in Paris
Paris is filled with vintage, but it’s spread across the city. To keep things simple, I narrowed it down to a small edit, mostly within Le Marais.
Start with Kiliwatch Paris, a large space with a wide mix of categories and price points, similar in feel to Beyond Retro. Nearby, Episode Paris spans the 40s through to the 90s, and makes it easy to lose track of time.
For something more playful, Super Vintage Paris leans maximalist, with bold, fun pieces. And if you fancy a proper rummage, Vintage Désir, right in the heart of Le Marais, is the kind of place where you’ll find something unexpected. I also really loved Barracuda, another vintage store.
If you’re after vintage designer, Thank God I'm a VIP is the place. Think Burberry, Lanvin, Balmain, all carefully edited, but still with that sense of discovery. Then there’s Mamie Blue, a true Paris institution, with pieces from the 1920s through to the 60s, and one of the cutest shopfronts in the city.
The Grand Magasins
Paris does department stores differently. The buildings alone are worth the visit, but many feel closer to a series of curated worlds than somewhere to simply shop.
Start with Le Bon Marché. Opened in 1852 and often described as the first of its kind, it still feels entirely its own. It’s the kind of place you want to while away hours, discovering the most wonderful and unexpected treasures.
If you’re a stationery lover, you’re in for a treat. The stationery department feels like a discovery in itself, filled with keepsakes and beautiful papers that make you want to write. And if, like us, you’ve read and adored The Correspondent, you may find yourself newly inspired to return to the art of letter writing. This is the place to find everything you need to start sealing letters with wax and a stamp.
From there, head to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. It delivers on scale and atmosphere, with all the major designers alongside beloved French labels like Rouje and Lemaire. Walk the glass walkway across the atrium, then head up to the rooftop for sweeping views across the city.
Next door, Printemps Haussmann feels calmer, but no less impressive. Think Dior, Chanel, and a beautiful stained glass dome above the sixth-floor restaurant that’s worth pausing for.
Finish back in Le Marais at Merci. A destination in itself, with a carefully put-together mix of clothing, homeware, and pieces that feel genuinely hand-picked. The kind of place you go in for a look and leave with something you didn’t know you needed.
A day at Saint-Ouen
Nothing quite prepares you for Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen.
Stretching across 17 acres, it’s the largest flea market in the world. Less a market, more a small vintage town in its own right, around 30 minutes from the centre. Give it a full day. Saint-Ouen is made up of several distinct markets, mostly set along and around Rue des Rosiers.
Hundreds of shops sit within winding alleyways, with antique dealers spilling out onto the streets. It’s the kind of place where you lose your sense of direction, in the best possible way, vintage brooches catching the light beside Victorian embroideries and one-off pieces you won’t find anywhere else.
Among the antiques, you’ll also come across designer vintage, often tucked inside glass-fronted boutiques. Think Dior and Chanel, alongside beautifully preserved handbags, jewellery, and the occasional standout piece. There are also more accessible finds, and most traders are open to negotiation, so it’s always worth asking.
For fashion, start with Marché Vernaison, with its cobbled streets and closely packed shops that reward taking your time. Just across the road, Marché Dauphine sits inside a large, slightly faded market hall with a very different feel.
One not to miss (and my new favourite) is Falbalas, stand 254 in Marché Dauphine. An exceptional edit spanning decades, displayed across two adjoining spaces.
For a sunny day, head to Marché Paul Bert, in Rue Paul Bert, where you will find most of the eateries, alongside a wider stretch of vintage sellers and curated stores. A favourite here is Avantgarde Vintage Fashion, a well-edited space with standout pieces. Make time for the modernist section too, where stalls are loosely organised by era, from Art Deco through to the 1980s.
At some point, stop for a coffee at one of the outdoor cafés and take it in. The people-watching alone is worth it. If you want somewhere reliable, Le Café Paul Bert, though most spots here are good, serving simple, traditional plates to locals.
Where I ate in Paris
When in Paris, I always visit Bouillon Chartier for a Steaks Frites! It might be a cliche, but open since 1896, it’s everything I think a traditional Parisian brasserie should be. Bustling, atmospheric, and unpretentious. The menu is simple and very well priced, with dishes that feel surprisingly affordable for the setting.
For something more indulgent, I loved Bistrot Vivienne. Beautiful surroundings and a French onion soup worth ordering without hesitation.
Coffee stops
For slower mornings or a mid-afternoon pick me up, visit Tanat Coffee for the expert espresso, Recto Verso Paris, or Cortado Paris. All easy, well-placed stops as you move around the city.
Plan your Paris trip
If you’re thinking about visiting Paris, we’ve pinned everywhere we visited to a google map, so you can plan your days, or just follow it loosely and see where you end up.
What I Wore
I wore the Beatrice polka dot dress both day and night as she is super comfy. I also paired Beatrice with our Klara embroidered cardigan, which is coming soon. She is perfect for Spring evenings and suits most of our SS26 dresses.
Nic x
