every friday, crowds flock to the flea market in ventimiglia, italy. it’s just a 10-minute ride from french town, menton (and an easy 20-minute train ride from nice) – however, people come from all over europe because the prices of merchandise at the market are rock bottom. main attractions are clearly the designer counterfeits: labels sporting fake louis vuitton, hermes, armani, chanel and other labels are blinding by the numbers. it’s hard to find something that isn’t a fake! belts, purses, shoes, sunglasses, clothing, perfume, you name it, you’ll find it. with prices so low, it is nearly impossible to resist (if you’re into that kind of stuff).

but! be warned. the french authorities are beginning to crack down on the CONSUMERS buying such merchandise, since they cannot enforce any laws across the border in italy proper. the french police will make random checks at the toll/border and search cars to see what you bought. if you have any fakes, they not only will confiscate it from you, but also, you will be fined several thousand euros and can be subject to jail time. you’ll end up spending the amount for a REAL designer labeled item without getting that actual item!

if you travel to other parts of italy with your fake designer goods and get caught in a random search, you may be fined as well from italian authorities – just like this danish woman: she was caught in rome with fake designer sunglasses and fined 10,000 euros.

some advice: don’t buy these counterfeit items!!! 1) it’s not worth getting caught; 2) they are cheaply made products that will not last; and, 3) a note about the fake perfumes: they have pee inside of them. i know, gross. no, i am not kidding! apparently, urine has just enough of an ammonia in it that acts as a stabililzer (to maintain the scent of perfume), as well as adds cheap (ok, free) volume to the bottle. source: envoye special, france 2

ventimiglia is still a beautiful, italian riviera town worth seeing, and has a lot to offer a traveler. if you want to buy something there, go into the town and buy something in a shop instead of being stuck in the slow moving herds of shoppers at the (in)famous flea market. instead, grab a big hunk of real parmiggiano reggiano cheese (so much cheaper in italy) or some bottles of italian wine.

while we’re on the subject of counterfeits, there’s a Musée de la Contrefaçon (museum of fakes) in paris that displays real designer items next to their fake counterparts – and ironically, this museum is situated in the 16th district (arrondissement), one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city of light. 16 rue de la Faisanderie, 75016, Paris; tel: +33 1 56 26 14 00; metro Porte Dauphine; open Tue-Sun, 2-5.30pm; closed weekends in Aug; €2.50.