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We all love a bargain, and when that something procured on the cheap comes with a bit of history behind it, that’s just an added bonus. Those whose thoughts run along such lines, and moreover love to travel, certainly appreciate the joys of European flea markets. While cities such as Vienna and Brussels have great markets on a weekly basis; others organize massive affairs just once annually, or perhaps a spring and fall edition. Some of the best events see entire communities turn out to peddle their no-longer-needed wares in affairs that can stretch from dusk to dawn. Here are a few flea markets that could be worth staking out this spring and summer. This list is by no means comprehensive, and the smaller markets found below are made note of due to their proximity to U.S. military communities.

Belgium City: Ciney Name: Ciney Expo Flea MarketPlace: Ciney Expo 3, Rue du Marche Couvert, B-5590

Date and time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 26-28

The vibe: Around 700 vendors with stalls both inside and out attract some 15,000 shoppers to peruse stalls and pavement heaving with furniture, objects d’art and more. A sub-section sees professional dealers present bona-fide antiques and vetted goods. An eight euro admission is charged. The autumn edition of Belgium’s biggest flea market event takes place Oct. 7-9.

Website: www.cineyexpo.be/agenda/evenement.php?id=276#info

France City: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Name: Foire Internationale Antiquités et BrocantesDate and time: March 25-28

The vibe: An important antiques fair takes place over the Easter weekend and once again on Aug. 15. With over 300 exhibitors and an anticipated 100,000 visitors, it counts as one of Europe’s larger second-hand fairs. This spring edition promises to special, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the event. With some 300 antique shops in the town, this Provencal town just east of Avignon is regarded as a bargain shopper’s mecca throughout the year.

Website: www.foire-islesurlasorgue.com

City: Lille Name: Braderie de LilleDate and time: from 2 p.m. Sept. 3 through 11 p.m. Sept. 4

The vibe: What’s arguably the most famous of all European flea markets attracts over two million visitors annually from far and wide. Numerous side events take place simultaneously. A must-do while in Lille at this time is feasting on the event’s signature dish of mussels and fries.

Website: www.braderie-de-lille.fr

City: Rennes Name: La Braderie du Canal Saint-MartinDate and time: Sept. 17

The vibe: Some 200,000 visitors annually flock to this flea market alongside the canals of this Breton city, considered France’s second largest annual event of its kind after the one in Lille.

Website: www.comitestmartin.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=109

Germany City: Homburg Name: Homburger Floh- und AntiquitaetenmarktPlace: 66424 Am Forum, as well as in front of City Hall and by Landratsamt.

Date and time: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 8, Nov. 5

The vibe: What’s billed as the biggest flea and antiques market in southwest Germany takes place on the first Saturday of the month regularly throughout the year.

Website: www.flohmarkt.homburg.de/content/pages/1359.htm

City: Bayreuth Name: Bayreuther FlohmarktPlace: Volksfestplatz

Date and time: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. April 16 and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 17.

The vibe: Books, toys, household items, antiquities and other treasures are offered by some 500 dealers.

Website: www.bayreuth.de/tourismus-kultur-freizeit/veranstaltungen/maerkte/flohmarkt/

City: Munich Name: Riesenflohmarkt TheresienwiesePlace: Theresienwiese

Date and time: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16

The vibe: Around 2000 vendors and tens of thousands of visitor visit this eagerly anticipated annual market. The Munich Red Cross is the sponsor. Find, clothing, dishes, books, furniture and more.

Website: www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/event/9878.html

City: Nuremberg City: SchweinfurtName: Der Schweinfurter Rotkreuzflohmarkt

Place: Volksfestplatz

Date and time: 6 a.m.4 p.m. April 30

The vibe: The German Red Cross organizes this massive flea market where no end of old and rare and not-so-rare pieces from jewellery to jelly jars await discovery.

Website: https://flohmarkt.brk-schweinfurt.de/index.php/startseite.html

Name: Nuernberger Trempelmarkt Place: Old TownDate and time: 4 p.m.-midnight May 13; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. May 14. Also Sept. 9-10.

The vibe: Billed as the largest flea market in Germany, its 4,000 booths contain wares from both private individuals and professional traders. On Friday nights, visitors can enjoy perusing the goods by candlelight. The Trempelmarkt offers antiques, tools, porcelain, jewelry, books and more.

https://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/erleben-geniessen/events/feste-maerkte/d/nuernberger-trempelmarkt.html

City: Heppenheim Name: Flohmarkt unter den PlatanenPlace: by the old city walls.

Date and time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 21 and Sept. 17.

The vibe: Retro items, clothing, dishes, antiquities and whatever else the locals have unearthed from their attic is on offer at this pleasant town along the Bergstrasse.

Website: www.heppenheim.de/heppenheim-erleben/veranstaltungen/maerkte/flohmarkt/

City: Stuttgart Name: Stuttgarter InnenstadtflohmarktPlace: Karlsplatz and surroundings

Date: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 22; also Sept. 18.

The vibe: organizers note that a stroll through this sprawling market is like taking a trip back in time.

Website: www.flohmarkt-karlsplatz.de

City: Landshut

Name: Landshuter Floehmarkt

Place: Messepark

Date and time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 28 and July 30

The vibe: Lower Bavaria’s biggest flea market offers the typical assortment of junk and gems.

Website: www.landshut.de/portal/kultur/veranstaltungstipps/flohmarkt.html

City: Coburg Name: Der Coburger FlohmarktPlace: throughout city center

Date: 6 p.m. June 4 through 6 p.m. June 5.

The vibe: This market started out in the 1980s to give kids a place to sell their cast-off toys but was such a hit it has since expanded into a free-for-all offering 24 hours of shopping madness.

Website: www.coburg.de/startseite/Leben-in-Coburg-2390-1/innenstadt/Maerkte-in-der-Innenstadt/Flohmarkt.aspx

City: Constance Name: Grenzueberschreitender Flohmarkt Konstanz/ KreuzlingenPlace: beside the Rhine and city-wide

Date and time: from 8 p.m. June 4 until 6 p.m. June 5

The vibe: Shopping continues non-stop and involves eight miles of around 1000 stands across two countries, as the market spills over into neighboring Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. Some of the stands come with a bonus view, directly beside Lake Constance and the Rhine. Some sections of the market are the territory of professional traders offering records, model trains, toy autos and the like.

Website: www.flohmarkt-konstanz.de

City: Fuerth Name: GrafflmarktPlace: Old Town and surrounding streets

Date and time: 4 p.m.-10 p.m. June 24 and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. June 25. Also Sept. 16-17.

The vibe: This merry affair not only offers plenty of items to sift through but also live music.

Website: www.frankenradar.de/events/grafflmarkt-fuerth-0

City: Bruchsal Name: StadtflohmarktPlace: Kernstadt

Date: 8 a.m.-3p.m. July 2

The vibe: Bargains galore await at this annual flea market in front of the Bruchsal Schloss.

Website: www.bruchsal-erleben.de/site/fileadmin/user_upload/Redaktion/Veranstaltungen/Veranstaltungskalender2016_Endversion.pdf

City: Ludwigsburg Name: Ludwigsburger AntikmeilePlace: Marktplatz

Date: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 24 and 25.

The vibe: Hunters and gatherers will find quality goods at this large antiques sale at which some 170 sellers are present. Two experts are on hand to help reveal the provenance of the goods.

Website: www.ludwigsburg.de/,Lde/start/tourismus/antikmeile.html

City: Fulda Name: Fuldaer Antik- & Vintage MarktPlace: Propsteihaus, Rathausplatz 2, 36100 Petersberg bei Fulda

Date: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 30

The vibe: This is the place to go for upscale items including antiques and rarities spanning the past three centuries. It’s also one of the few markets to charge admission: adults pay three euros to enter.

Website: www.kunstundkreativmarkt.de/index.php?id=20

Netherlands City: Tongeren Name: Antiek- en brocantemarkt Place: Leopoldwal, Veemarkt, Maastrichterstraat, de Schiervelstraat, Clarissenstraat, Eburonenhal and the first floor of Julianus. Date and time: 6 a.m.- p.m. Sundays throughout the year. The vibe: Tongeren takes on an international flair as visitors from all of Europe and beyond descend upon the town to check out the treasures offered by more than 350 exhibitors and around forty antique shops. Website: www.tongeren.be/toerisme/tourism_tongeren/antiques_market

City: Utrecht Name: VrijmarktDate: 6 p.m. April 26 through 6 p.m. April 27

The vibe: Regarded as one of the country’s best King’s Day “free markets,” the buying and selling action continues non-stop through the night. Concerts and plenty of food stalls make for a festive atmosphere.

Website: www.utrecht.nl/vrijmarkt-2016/

City: Amsterdam Name: VrijmarktDate: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. April 27

The vibe: The crowds turn out in force to both buy and sell virtually anything on the streets and parks of Amsterdam, turning the entire city into one huge flea market. The Vondelpark is reserved for kids selling their toys and outgrown clothing.

Website: www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/whats-on/kings-day/whats-on/kings-day-street-markets

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