ASK THE EXPERTS

Q //What are the best European cities for antiques and flea markets?

Rummaging through a foreign market for bargains can feel a bit like visiting an open-air museum and, for keen shoppers, it’s an excellent basis for a city break. Luckily, there are plenty of options within a few hours’ drive of the UK.

The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, in northern Paris, comprises around 1,700 vendors spread across 12 covered markets. Whatever you’re after, you’ll probably find it for sale here, whether you want an enamel coffee grinder or a stone staircase extracted from a Renaissance chateau. Most of the stalls are open