The Marin Civic Center in San Rafael holds the French Market Marin on the second Sunday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The French Market Marin is an outdoor vintage and antique market that is based on flea markets you might find in Paris. 

At the market, there are over 100 stands of antiques, jewelry, art, glassworks, flowers, and records. The French Market Marin hosts food stands, including French pastries and crepes. To accompany shoppers, the market provides live French music. 

The market has a general layout: antique stands in rows that make up the center, food stands off to the left, and records/posters in the back. Live French music plays between the third and fourth lane of antiques, right in the center. 

Sterling silver vendor Elizabeth Maxwell works with her mother selling antiques at the French Market Marin and at the annual Gatsby Summer Afternoon Picnic. The market has a strong familial presence, there are multiple family-owned businesses, and most shoppers attend with their families and friends. 

“My favorite thing about [the market] is that it’s local because I have to travel to a lot of venues. I love what I do, and I want to keep doing it as long as I can. Especially for my mom, out of her three kids, I’m the only one interested. She started this whole business,” Maxwell said. 

The market is deeply rooted in the community. Many of the small businesses at the market are family-owned and operated, including Waldscraft Bakery in Mill Valley. The bakery had a small pop-up stand at the French market this Sunday.

“I like coming to markets like this because I get to interact with so many people. There’s so many different people that come here, but you still feel like you know everyone,” said Zadie, a new hire for Waldscraft Bakery’s pop-ups. 

Zadie loves all of the interactions and conversations she shares with customers at the market, remarking that everyone always has a smile on their face. Maxwell and Zadie both shared how the shoppers bring the market together and that they appreciate the personal conversations that occur among the marketgoers. 

Although each stand and vendor have their own unique specialties, there are some commonalities between them. Many vendors speak French, for some it is even their first language. The vendors come from many different walks of life, and are typically very eager to share their stories. This contributes to the market’s charm, because you can always learn about someone new.

The French Market Marin is an adorable, community-uniting, Parisian-style flea market worth visiting. Amazing stands, cute trinkets, and delicious food all contribute to the market’s lovely charm. All in all, the French Market Marin receives five out of five feathers.