Antiquaires

ParisinsidersknowthebestplacetogoforinspirationisnottheLouvre,andthebestplacetogotobuysomethingfabuleuxisnottheBoulevardSt.-Germain:itisthefamousantiquesmarketsofSt.Ouen.Manyofthemostinfluentialartists,designers,stylists,anddecorators—ChristianDior,CocoChanel,AndréBreton,RudolfNureyev,MadeleineCastaing—hadtheirappetiteswhettedbytheirearlyfindsattheMarchéSerpette,Biron,PaulBert,oranyofthe16clustersofdealersthattodaymakeupthelargestmarketplaceofsecondhandfurniture,clothing,books,housewares,andartobjectsintheworld.Wherefarmersandragpickersoncepliedtheirfinds,todaythehighlycuratedstallsoutsidethePortedeClignancourtattractupto150,000visitorseachweekend.Parisisacitythatrichlyrewardsitswanderersandseekers,andinAntiquaires,authorLaureVerchereandphotographerLazizHamaniplayflanêurstocapturethetreasuresofSt.Ouensappealingmélangeoffurniture,books,decorativeobjects,andcuriosities—andthededicatedsellerswhoendowthemwithlife.