PLANNING A TRIP The first 2002 Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons takes place March 9 to 17. For further information, contact 011-33-1-47-70-88-78.
GETTING TO THE FAIR The trip from Paris to Chatou is easiest and quickest by train. Take the metro to Châtelet station, then the RER (commuter train) to Chatou.
STAYING IN PARIS These two classic hotels are decorated with antiques to put you in the shopping mood: Pavillon de la Reine, a cozy, pretty Marais mansion (28 place des Vosges; 011-33-1-40-29-19-19); and Le Bristol, still one of the Rive Droite's best addresses (112 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré; 011-33-1-53-43-43-00).