Remote sourcing at the Paris flea market

How it works

1. The brief

The room, the style, the budget, the dimensions and the deadline. A mood board, a Pinterest board or a plan is enough. We ask the questions a dealer would ask: finish, period, tolerance on condition, how many pieces.

2. The hunt

We walk the markets with your brief, often before opening, across Paul Bert Serpette, Biron, Vernaison, Dauphine and the streets in between. We also ask dealers for what is not on the floor.

3. The shortlist

Within 72 hours: photos, a short video of each piece, measured dimensions, condition notes and the dealer's price. You compare in one document.

4. Negotiation and purchase

You choose. We negotiate in French, pay the dealer or have you pay directly, collect, and check condition in hand.

5. Crating and shipping

Pieces are consolidated and handed to a fine-art shipper, insured door to door, with the export paperwork.

Why delegate

• Many dealers speak little English, and the better conversations happen in French, between regulars.
• The Puces reward repeat presence: the best pieces often sell to people the dealer already knows.
• One weekend is not enough to cover a dozen markets properly, and shipping takes longer to organise than buying.

Good briefs for remote sourcing

Lighting, mirrors, pairs of chairs, console and dining tables, garden pieces, tableware and silver, textiles, architectural salvage such as doors and fireplaces. For one-of-a-kind high-value furniture we often combine remote sourcing with a live video session.

Questions