History in Your Hands: European Flea Markets

While European financial markets may be collapsing, not all markets on the other side of the pond are in danger. During your next foray into foreign lands, remember: the European flea market is a recession-proof, eclectic tradition catering to shoppers on a Shoestring budget.

Flea markets in Europe, selling everything from dewey, fresh produce to priceless antiques, are a shopping extravaganza and a destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you're searching for a vintage Hermès scarf or faded postcards from the Côte d'Azur, flea markets have something for every shopper at nearly every price point. Wandering wide-eyed through these Saturday markets will give you a taste of the local culture as well a glimpse into Europe’s long, beautiful, and venerable past.

PARIS

In the City of Lights, you'll find the most famous flea market in Europe, which also happens to be the oldest and largest. The Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen is known for its rare antiques, which unfortunately often come with outrageous price tags. Dazzling in its scope and variety, the Les Puces is widely considered the most expensive flea market in Europe, but attending the fair for the sole purpose of window shopping is in itself an absolute treat. With vendors offering everything from lace to porcelain, rare books to opulent furniture, you'll need more than a day to scour these shops and stalls.

LONDON

While the 1999 film Notting Hill may have renewed its popularity with tourists, the Portobello Market in London has been seducing antique lovers since the 1960's. London's largest market is deliciously diverse, selling the High Street trends of local designers alongside vintage Burberry coats and military uniforms. From English bone china to luxurious Afghan rugs, there's a treasure for every shopper on the hunt. Enjoy the local produce and sizzling street food or head inside to one of the neighborhood's chic restaurants for brunch.

NICE AND CANNES

These South of France markets are twice the fun, not unlike the cities they call home, beginning on Saturdays in Cannes and ending up the road in Nice on Mondays. In this romantic part of France, you'll find lace linens, 19th century Limoges boxes, high-quality French antiques, and locally-produced crafts. This market is considerably cheaper than its Parisian counterpart, but that doesn't mean you won't find the occasional Chanel suit casually swaying from a stall in the warm Mediterranean breeze.

BERLIN

Only a stone's throw away from the city's most famous zoo, the Straße des 17. Juni flea market is Berlin's largest and best-known center of secondhand shopping. With sellers specializing in art and traditional handicrafts as well as antiques, the Berlin flea market yields treasures from all periods of the city's tumultuous yet rich history. Don't miss the many German confections and treats sold from an endless array of tantalizing food stalls.

VIENNA

Offering the most diverse sampling of foods this side of the Danube, Vienna's Naschmarkt is a foodie's dream. Whether you're craving tangy Parmesan cheese or dark and robust Turkish coffee, the open-air cafes offer vast menus and the perfect refuge from the hectic Saturday flea market, where naming your price and heckling for a deal is part of the fun. Silk scarves and mink coats sell for less than lunch, so pack light!

FLORENCE

It may not technically be a flea market, but the San Lorenzo Market merits a mention. This daily market, with its cheap Murano trinkets and high-end (Italian!) leather goods, will make it impossible to ever step into a retail store again. The best time to visit is during Florence's low season, but take an extra suitcase. Or, better yet, buy one there.

Story: Copyright 2010, Shoestring LLC and KT Boyle. Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net.