My Summer in the City of Light: 14th Arrondissement: Marché aux Puces de Vanves and Paris Observatory

The 14th arrondissement is probably the one in which I have spent the most time, because for the last seven weeks the 14th district has been our home.

Marché aux Puces de Vanves: Tourist attraction

One of my favorite things about the 14th district is le marché aux Puces de Vanves. This flea market is open on saturday, sunday and monday. Items are reasonably priced and there are a number of good finds. Go early so that you have time to slowly wander the market, because there is a lot to see. We found interesting jewelry, books, paintings, and assorted objects.

There were so many old french books I wanted to buy!

This one, Tombeau de Baudelaire, by Pierre Jean Jouve especially appealed to me. Though I just discovered him in the past year, Baudelaire has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Additionally worth noting, Baudelaire's grave, the subject of this book, is relevant because it is located within the Montparnasse cemetery also in the 14th district. The Montparnasse cemetery also includes the burial place of Eugène Ionesco (another of my favorites), Jean-Paul Sartre, Fréderic Bartholdi (sculptor of the Statue of Liberty), Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett, and Serge Gainsbourg, among many others.

We found a wooden box including its original mustache brush!

I noted several pairs of beautiful, functional mother of pearl binoculars. This set was on sale for 50 Euros.

Observatoire de Paris: Architectural Object

One of the most famous landmarks in the 14th district is the Paris Observatory, one of the largest astronomical centers in the world. Other popular sites in this area include the catacombs, which is located around the corner from our apartment, and Montparnasse cemetery. The line to the catacombs is always incredibly long. I would recommend going early. The wait will still be hours long, but that way you are guaranteed to get in, whereas many people arriving later are turned away.