Hidden in the labyrinth alleys of Paris’ oldest flea-market are treasure troves of vintage lace, linen, passementerie, golden threads and gossamer lingerie. Rebecca has been captivated by this flea market for years and enjoys nothing better than sharing her favourite finds with fellow textile lovers!
Visiting Daniel and Lili © Rebecca Devaney
Nothing says La Vie en Rose like a delightful Sunday morning in the picturesque surrounds of Marché Vernaison. The winding alleys are strung with trailing ivy, antiques overflow on the narrow passages and the cheerful sounds of jazz manouche fill the air. While it’s a pleasure to lose yourself in the romantic atmosphere of days gone by, it’s a real joy to discover the hidden treasure troves of vintage textiles. Join Rebecca as she guides you through this charming labyrinth and introduces you to friendly experts along the way.
Visiting Daniel and Lili © Rebecca Devaney
Flea Market Tours take place on Sunday mornings, beginning at 10am and finishing at 1pm – leaving you with plenty of time in the afternoon to to explore and return to any, or all, of the markets to pick up those treasures! If you would like to book a private tour, please contact Rebecca directly through her website.
The tour begins at Daniel & Lili, where rows and rows of wooden boxes are stacked on long tables, each one filled with antique beads, sequins, buttons, rhinestones and gems. The glistening treasures are sold by the cup-full and this little gem is a favourite amongst embroiderers, jewellers and the magpies amongst us!
© Rebecca Devaney
After this excitement we continue to Quand Nos Grands-Mères Cousaient, stepping back in time to when generations of women sewed and embroidered their trousseaus in France. Delicately embroidered handkerchiefs, collars and blouses whisper stories of patient needlework and hours of dedication. The display cases are filled with tiny tin boxes perfect for needles and pins. The vintage embroidery patterns, silk and cotton threads, wooden spools and button cards long to be added to your collection.
Visiting Marcel and Jeannette © Rebecca Devaney
Les Puces Laure is an emporium of French linen nightgowns, cotton shift dresses and cheerful Provençal fabrics that conjure images of lavender fields and summer in the South of France. Laure has a beautiful collection of vintage Pierre Frey and Braquenier printed fabrics, the gorgeous motifs and colours influenced by 18th century Indian block prints.
If you want to add elegance and Parisienne chic to your wardrobe Marcel & Jeannette is the place to be. A well kept secret amongst fashion designers and stylists looking for inspiration, this cosy boutique specialises in French luxury clothing, accessories and costume jewellery from the 18th century to the 1950s.
At Madame Giovannoni © Rebecca Devaney
Customers travel from all over the world to visit Madame Giovannoni and purchase the finest French table linens. For over 30 years Madame Giovannoni has sourced the perfect napkins, table runners and tablecloths so that her loyal customers can bring that famous French joie de vivre to their homes.
Reflets de Paris specialises in the most beautiful and intricate French lace lingeries. You will be forgiven for thinking it was made by fairy godmothers! Silk camisoles, negligées and slips are edged with gorgeous Chantilly, Guipure and Alençon lace. The exquisite pieces are a pleasure to admire and you may be tempted to purchase a little lace fancy to add to your cherished treasures.
Contact
https://www.textiletoursofparis.com/say-hello
At Laure’s © Rebecca Devaney
About
Rebecca Devaney is a textile artist, researcher, and educator from Ireland with a BA in Art and Design Education (2006) and an MFA in Textile Art and Artefact (2015) from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. She received the prestigious Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Award (2015), to research hand embroidery in Mexico and the resulting exhibition, Bordados, a collection of photographs, interviews, and textiles, has been presented internationally.
In 2018, following her graduation from École Lesage, Paris, Rebecca worked as a professional haute couture embroiderer for Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton. Rebecca established Textile Tours of Paris in 2019 to share her love of the rich heritage of textiles woven through the fabric of Paris.