Marche Aux Puces & A Cup of Tea

Pamela Price writing for I V Y Paris
Meet Erol. I ran into this charming antique dealer one day when I was making my usual dimanche stop at the Porte de Clignancourt flea market. I had several shopping bags and a handful of frites that I was trying to eat as I was walking. I saw a man in a classic Sinatra hat gesture to me from the open alley, asking me if I would like to take a seat in his quaint antique niche. I was hesitant at first but his circle of vintage furniture looked inviting and I was particularly attracted to the rusty old-fashioned typewriter.

The gentleman introduced himself and offered me whichever chair looked most comfortable. I had shopped the entire market but it seemed I had missed the most important part; a small maze of antique shops with whimsical green vines coating the small buildings.
Just as strangers do in Paris, we exchanged our stories and Erol informed me about his successful business in antiques. His collection is comprised of everything from a hand woven basket to an elaborately designed oriental rug. After sipping my tea from my delicate teacup, I soon found out that Erol was a small celebrity in antiques. He has been featured in several magazines and a book of photography. It seems Erol is never without his white Sinatra hat with the black band; he was wearing it in every photo.

If you are strolling through the market anytime soon, make sure you don't miss the real antique neighborhood. Even if you're not looking to acquire a valuable treasure, it can't hurt to look. There is no pressure to buy from Mr. Erol because he would just as rather sit down to a cup of tea. Don't forget to look out for the hat, you can't miss it.

"Erol"
Marche Vernaison
136 Avenue Michelet
Allee 3 No. 305
934000 St. Ouen
Tel: 06. 24. 03. 74. 31

Comments

[suzanne]

It's not often a man asks you to sit in his quaint antique niche is it Pamela?

[Arbys]

How lovely that visit sounds..I would like to have an encounter like that myself. I have no doubt Erol is as entertaining as you made him out to be.