Bit by the Flea - Don't Waste your money!
Content not as expected. Cost is too much for this book. Don't waste your money.
My copy's dog-eared
This is a wonderful guide, with clear maps and smart buying tips for the Flea-Market Junkie and Occasional Peruser alike. I don't even particularly enjoy Les Puces, but at my home in Paris I have a copy of this guide for guests. When visitors come to stay, I put a stack of reading material on their bedside table (French magazines, books about Parisian history, guidebooks, etc.) and "Bit by the Fleas" is always one of the favourites. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
I highly recommend Bit by the Fleas
Anyone who cares about French antiques knows that there are many good deals to be unearthed at the marche aux Puces, but the place was always somewhat intimidating to me because it's known to be an "insider's" market. It's hard to know where to go and who to trust. I was delighted to come across this book because it demystifies the process very effectively and is written in a no-nonsense, discerning and user-friendly manner. It is not designed as a comprehensive guide to the Puces but rather as a "short list" of the stands that the authors have found to be most worthwhile (be it in terms of selection, quality, price and/or reliability). It's a bit like having a Zagat's guide to the Puces. I also liked the format, which is compact and practical to carry around Paris, as well as the design and graphics, which are tasteful and up-scale. As a result, I've also found it to be a very appropriate gift for friends who share my interest in French antiques.
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