Markets and markets!!

The other type of market that is so special in France is the brocante, or bric-a-brac. Usually quite busy and usually full of interesting stuff. The one thing that doesn't change from country to country or city to city is the 2nd hand dealer. Always trying to make the best deal; for them, while trying to at least appear semi interested before turning completely disinterested in your transaction. Usually smokers and often a bit unclean or disheveled, looking like they'd rather be anywhere but here and always looking cold and a bit miserable. Clearly there are always exceptions and we were lucky enough to find the odd one of two. In any case we visited the Vanves Marche aux puces (Flea Market in Vanves). Vanves is a suburb in the southern part of Paris just inside the peripherique, the circular road that surrounds Paris. A reasonable Metro ride but worth it.

Tables of the stuff often specialising in one line of offerings but sometimes it's hard to tell what that line is with others. 

Often difficult to tell what era is being sold. 

Some of it you'd wonder where the market for it comes from. Then again, one man's treasure ...

Linen. Lots of linen. 

Some quite exquisite. 

Some just colourful. 

Tiny figurines no more than 2.5 centimetres high and hand painted.