Paris is one city where second-hand doesn’t mean second best. Where fashion is concerned, second-hand stores, known as depot-ventes, attract a large following among wily shoppers seeking the many vintage bargains to be found among racks of clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. The biggest of these is Réciproque with seven separate boutiques clustered on rue de la Pompe in the 16th arrondissement: each showcases a different speciality, from objects and homeware to handbags, scarves and women’s evening wear. Le Mouton à 5 Pattes has two outlets selling designer vintage and previous year’s collections for adults, while La Clef des Marques stocks a good range of second-hand athletic wear and swimsuits.

True bargain hungers will love Guerrisold, a chain store selling mass-market second-hand men’s and women’s clothing from the ‘70s and ‘80s. There are several outlets around Paris, each store sorting stock according to garment type. Paris also has a good selection of permanent sale shops selling the previous season’s stock of well-known brands; buy Et Vous at Et Vous Stock or reduced cost Bonpoint cashmere onesies and gorgeous children’s party dresses at the children’s sale shop, Bonpoint Fin de Series.

A little way outside Paris at Ivry-sur-Seine, BHV Ivry Entrepôts offers a warehouse of shop-soiled and sale furniture, electrical appliances and white goods at good discount prices (about 30% off). The opportunity for bargain buys here is good, with many items simply needing a decent clean-up. The warehouse is accessible by RER. There are regular neighbourhood car boot sales around the city, though locating times and dates can be difficult. The solution is to head to the Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves. Open every weekend, this is a large second-hand and antique market and the only one in existence in inner Paris.

Disposing of your own second-hand goods can, in fact, be more difficult than buying them. Depot-ventes will buy used clothing however they are very choosy. Many Parisians simply leave unwanted clothing and furniture on the street to be taken away by others or picked up by the city’s cleaning crews. The Croix Rouge (www.croix-rouge.fr) will gratefully accept clothing and goods, just call to arrange collection. Check the website for details. When it comes to classifieds, FUSAC is one the highest-read English-language classified magazines and can be picked up at boutiques and bookstores across the city. WHSmith always has a plentiful stock. For French-language classifieds browse De Particulier à Particulier, a weekly journal available at news kiosks every Thursday selling second-hand furnishings, cars as well as general knick-knacks.