Replies

1. 
   Womble | Aug 15, 2005 07:05pm | #1

   I lived in Paris for 4 years and do not recall seeing any woodworking shops. This is probably because of the cost rent in a large tourist destination/urban setting. Also, no-one has the space to do any woodworking in Paris. When I lived there, my apartment was 300 sq.ft on the 5th floor without an elevator.

2. 
   AlbionWood | Aug 15, 2005 07:46pm | #2

   You want the Marche aux Puces, also called the Saint-Ouen flea markets. Near the Porte de Clignancourt Metro station. It consists of several different open-air and indoors markets, each with a different style, content, and clientele. The Michelin guide has a brief rundown on them.

   It can be overwhelming, as the markets are crowded and they go on and on. But if you like poking around in flea markets, you'll love these. A lot of it now is just the usual cheap imported crap (clothes, electronics, junk), but persevere and you will find the wonderful little stalls and shops with antique furniture and bric-a-brac. LOTS of antique furniture! There will be some that specialize in antique tools, but they may be hard to find. If you speak a little French you can ask around when you get to the bric-a-brac shops.

   Keep your wallet safe from pickpockets.

   "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

3. 
   ~~BenM | Aug 15, 2005 08:03pm | #3

   I never had any luck finding woodworking stores or tools in Paris.  Even finding a French woodworking magazine is challenging.  I can recommend a side trip to Troyes, about 1-2 hours by train.  They have a Woodworking Museum, displaying hundreds and hundreds of antique tools.  Unfortunately, none are for sale.

4. 
   ring | Aug 15, 2005 08:07pm | #4

   Smyth,

   Albionwood's info about the Marche des Puces is right on.  But you also should get a bulletin of what's going on in the area as soon as you arrive.  It's called a Pariscope, and every newsstand sells them.  There are quite often antique furniture fairs at various locations around the city suburbs, such as Chatou.  See if anything is on for the time you are there.  You will see more antique furniture (of all qualities) than you can digest.

   Don't get your hopes up for much in the way of quality tools.  Finding something of quality at the markets is a longshot, and the hardware stores are, frankly, disappointing.  But I have sometimes come away with curious and interesting items from the flea-market, remnants of disappearing trades.

   have a great time,

   DR

5. 
   hammer1 | Aug 16, 2005 06:28am | #5

   Have you been to Paris before? There are a few things you might want to know about the public transportation system. I stumbled on a flea market in Montmartre just outside the train station, I think it was on a Saturday. Can't say I saw any tools but plenty of cool French junk. The dollar isn't doing so well against the euro, prices in the cities are high. I saw some carving tools in some cutlery shops but they would be less expensive back home for the same Swiss stuff. Here's a link to Les Puces (the fleas).

   http://www.parisperfect.com/paris-flea-markets/text/paris-flea-markets.html

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
6. 
   hitai | Aug 16, 2005 08:02am | #6

   By all means, visit the Musee de Orsee. They got the art nouveau stuff... Incredible.!

7. 
   BarryO | Aug 16, 2005 10:46am | #7

   'don't know how long you plan to be in France, but the Queyras region (near the Italian border) is well-known for woodworking.  Definitely a long drive from Paris, but if you happen to be in the Grenoble area you could make a side trip to the shops their.

8. 
   Gretchen | Aug 16, 2005 12:14pm | #8

   Everyone has hit the high points.

   DO go to the Musee d"Orsay and see their Art Nouveau furniture exhibit.

   TRY the St. Ouen market. When you come out of the subway/Metro, walk across the wide street to the markets. Go past ALLLLLLLL the stalls of T shirts and "stuff" to the actual Marche aux Puces.  It is a veritable rabbit warren of permanent shops (this is NOT  a flea market--it is where the term got started) and several "malls" with booths like we have here.  You will find prices sky high. In many years of shopping the Marche I have bought nothing.  I can get it cheaper here.  OH--it is only open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, although Monday is very skimpy.  Most of these dealers have shops in Paris proper.

   Better chance--go to the market at Porte de Vanves on Saturday and Sunday morning. Much more like our fleas.  You might just find something there.  Go to the Porte de Vanves Metro stop and walk up the hill as you come out of the station.

   Go to the Viaduct des ARtes on rue Daumesnil, near the Gare de Lyon.  There are artisans' shops along there housed in the high arches of an old viaduct. Very neat stuff.

   The idea of getting the Pariscope is good. You get it at any Tabac or newspaper kiosk--costs about 0.50€.  It is in French but you can probably make out some of it.  Look for "Brocantes".  These are small antique markets that set up in various squares of the city. There may or may not be any when you are there but if so, do go.  Good stuff there, in the past.

   Have a ball. If you want any restaurant suggestions give a holler.

   Gretchen
9. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 16, 2005 08:23pm | #9

   Depends on the CASH you have... Contact the hotel and ask them for a guide/interpreter (if you don't speak French).. I traveled all over the world and sometimes hired a guide for 'special things to do'..

   Cost a bit but well worth it if you can afford it...

   I never like Paris AND I'm part French!

1. 
   Gretchen | Aug 16, 2005 10:31pm | #10

   Well, if it is a guide you want, I have the best one.  And he is SO reasonable. He's an artist and is just a wonderful guide. Let me know.  We hired him for two days last fall to take our family around. DH and I have been to Paris many times, kids and spouses had all been at least once, but not on an organized tour--therefore not getting a big overview.  Michael showed us ALL things we had never seen.  And then for a day at the Louvre and Orsay.  Really good investment. Gretchen

2. 
   BarryO | Aug 17, 2005 04:35am | #11

   I never like Paris AND I'm part French!

   I remember the first time the family and I went to France.  We spent two weeks in the Alps in the summer, went to Grenoble and Lyon, had a wonderful time.  We couldn't understand how the French had gotten such a bad reputation in U.S., as most everyone we met were very nice.

   Then we went to Paris for a couple of days.

   What a dfference in attitude; we understood, finally, where the bad rep came from!

1. 
   Gretchen | Aug 17, 2005 03:22pm | #12

   I have been to Paris and France and Europe MANY times. I have never had the rudeness confirmed.  There is a large cultural difference between Europeans and Americans, particularly with respect to "reserve". I have encountered as much or more rudeness in the US than in France.Gretchen

1. 
   chipo | Aug 17, 2005 10:18pm | #14

   I never found Parisians to be particularly rude, but then again a) I generally tried to speak French, despite being lousy at it, and b) I'm from Boston, so maybe I just didn't notice. :-)

2. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 17, 2005 07:14pm | #13

   I just found the place DIRTY! The people were OK...I have travled all over the world in my work... I always found 'most' folks really nice to you... But then again we all got our local 'Cooks'..