Every time people travel to any beautiful destination, they think of bringing some keepsake that reminds them of the places they visited during the trip. One such destination is the city of Paris which encompasses renowned museums, notable tourist spots, beautiful alleyways, picturesque views, and scrumptious cuisine. If you are visiting Paris, you should surely bring home some souvenirs for yourself & your dear ones from the city of love. This will let you keep a bit of Paris with you! The Parisian souvenir ideas range from common gift items to daily use & edible items, ranging from pricey to affordable ones.
Apart from buying things for yourself, it is a wonderful idea to bring some French sweets or Parisian items for your friends and relatives. It makes them know that you thought about them during your trip & brought this keepsake. So, if you are wondering which items can be the best souvenirs in Paris to bring back home, go through this list of 15 souvenirs that you can buy here.
Apart from buying things for yourself, it is a wonderful idea to bring some French sweets or Parisian items for your friends and relatives. It makes them know that you thought about them during your trip & brought this keepsake. So, if you are wondering which items can be the best souvenirs in Paris to bring back home, go through this list of 15 souvenirs that you can buy here.
1. French Beret
A beret is a soft, flat-crowned circular hat that is one of Paris's classic & cliche French souvenirs. Berets are often associated with Parisian artists. These are the most elegant style knitted wool hats that offer a beautiful & intellectual look as well as keep your head warm in the cold weather. French berets are available just about anywhere in the city and are a lovely gift to take home. These are available in a myriad of colors & designs for men, women, & kids as well.
Where to buy
- Laulhère boutique: 14 - 16 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
- Le Béret français: 6th floor Galeries Lafayette
- Faubourg Montmartre Souvenirs: 24 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre
2. Stamped Books
Shakespeare and Company is the renowned English language emigrant bookstore that is located near Notre Dame on Paris's Left Bank. Operating since 1951, this spot was once the stamping ground of artists & writers, including Fitzgerald and Hemingway. A visit to this store is incomplete without taking a stamped book back with you. The store still maintains its old-world charm & is widely famous for its authentic selection of English-language books. Buying a book with the store's stamp inside is an ideal souvenir for a bibliophile. Besides, lots of vintage posters & postcards are available here.
Where to buy
Shakespeare and Company: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
3. Cheese
A lot of people, especially children, love cheese and cheesy food items very much. Remarkably, the cheese in Paris is a bit more special. Considering the variety of cheeses available, Paris city is unequaled as it has to offer outstanding quality cheese. It is said that in France, there are 365 kinds of cheese, which means you have different types of cheese each day of the year. However, it seems slightly difficult to taste all these if you are staying only two or three days in Paris. Still, you should try to taste as many as possible and take the varieties you like for people you love.
Where to buy
- Fromagerie Laurent Dubois: 47 Ter Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris;
- La Fermette: 86 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
- Alléosse Master Cheesemonger: 13 Rue Poncelet, 75017 Paris
4. French Macarons
Paris city is home to some of the most popular pastry chefs across the globe. Remarkably, Macarons are one of the most loved sweet delights after pastries in Paris and the entire nation. The French macarons are soft & light meringue-based cookies in which two shells are there with a creamy center of buttercream, ganache, or jam. In Paris, these are artfully crafted with the finest ingredients, which makes them one of the most favorite French desserts of foreigners. Its varieties can range from typical flavors like vanilla, chocolate, & salted caramel to new experimental flavors.
Where to buy
- Ladurée: 21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris (multiple other locations across the city);
- Pierre Hermé Paris Bonaparte Store: 72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
5. French Chocolates
Having a higher content of cocoa than the chocolates of any other country, French chocolates are extensively regarded to be a few of the best across the globe. As a result, traditional French chocolates are darker and more roasted than Swiss or Belgian chocolate, which are milkier and creamier. Notably, chocolate is one of the leading Parisian culinary delights as there is a multitude of skilled chocolatiers here. These chocolates have a rich, smooth, and delicious flavor. You can possibly find all forms of French chocolates in Paris and you cannot go back home without trying out & taking some of these with you.
Where to buy
- Edwart Chocolatier-Marais: 17 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004 Paris;
- Le Chocolate Alain Ducasse: 40 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris
6. Wines
Another item on the list of one of the best souvenirs to buy in Paris is Wine. Premium wine is produced in almost every region in France, which is why it is the most consumed variety of alcohol in the country. The most popular wine in the nation comes from the wine region of Bordeaux. It is the ultimate symbol of France, therefore it may be regarded as a cliche souvenir. Notably, Paris has a lavish history of viticulture, and it features several wine shops offering a splendid selection of French as well as international wines that can please almost any kind of taste buds and suit different budgets.
Where to buy
- Les Caprices de l'Instant: 12 Rue Jacques Cœur, 75004 Paris;
- La Cave du Sénat: 16 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
7. Mustard
One of the most common & notable condiments in the world is mustard. Notably, France was the hub for manufacturing mustard from the late middle ages, and no standard supermarket mustard can surpass the mustard you will get in France. Dijon mustard (Moutarde de Dijon) is the traditional mustard of France, made with mustard seeds & wine vinegar or white wine. Also, you can find various other types of Mustard in Paris, including Dijon Mustard with a stronger flavor & Honey Mustard with a sweeter flavor. You will surely find one in the dizzying varieties of mustard combinations, matching your preference for a unique souvenir.
Where to buy
Boutique Maille: 6 Pl. de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, France
8. Champagne
The most festive alcoholic drink in France is Champagne. It is consumed everywhere in France and throughout the world. This drink is named 'Champagne' as it comes from the Champagne region in northern France, which is renowned in the world for producing sparkling white wines made from chardonnay, pinot noir, and Meunier grapes. You can take a bottle of champagne for sharing with your dear ones to celebrate good times or simply treat yourselves to this bottle of fizz. You will find elegant champagne gift hampers and gift boxes containing a bottle of high-quality bottle French champagne in stores.
Where to buy
- Dilettantes Cave à Champagne: 22 Rue de Savoie, 75006 Paris;
- Champagne A.Laurans: 42 Av. de Breteuil, 75007 Paris, France
9. French Perfumes
Among many different things to buy in Paris, one of the finest gift options is French perfumes. France has a long history of making perfume, and French perfumes are known worldwide for their high-quality fragrances. Notably, Moreover, Paris has been a hub of perfume-making tradition from medieval times and is home to various renowned perfume makers. Whenever you use these perfumes, the fragrance will take you back to the City of Love. You can choose to buy classic French brands like Guerlain and Fragonard, or go for a personalized scent from a local perfume shop to take a scented gift back.
Where to buy:
- Fragonard Boutique Francs Bourgeois: 51 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004 Paris;
- La Maison Guerlain: 68 rue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris, France
10. French Soaps
Since the medieval ages, soaps have been skillfully crafted in France. Made with traditional methods, authentic French milled soaps are considered to be of the finest quality. These luxurious hand-crafted soaps are smooth & long-lasting, without any impurities. You will come across an abundance of French soaps from all over France, including the ever-popular bars from Provence and Marseille that lather effortlessly even in hard water. These are available in different scents, including Classic French, Rose, Orange (citrus), Milk & more. The most preferred varieties are the orange blossom and milk soap bars.
Where to buy
- Soap & the City: 75 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris;
- L'Occitane en Provence: 84 ave Champs Elysées, 75008 Paris
- The Marseille Soap House: 77 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris, France
11. Scarves
Where to buy
- Diwali (multiple locations throughout Paris)
- Galeries Lafayette Haussmann: 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris;
- Hermès: 24 rue du faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
12. Handmade Bags
France is identified with style & elegance, and the country for manufacturing some of the finest fashionable clothing and accessories. Remarkably, handmade bags are the ideal things to buy as a souvenir in Paris. Here, the quality of the leather is top-notch, and the craftsmanship is flawless. Here you will find handmade full-grain leather handbags in a sweeping variety of designs. These are available under different budgets, ranging from some very affordable pieces to very high-quality luxury handbags that are a bit pricey.
Where to buy
- Les Ateliers Auguste: 8 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris;
- Brontibay: 13 Rue La Fayette, 75009 Paris, France
13. French Knife
In case you want to buy a French-manufactured utility as a gift, then without any more thinking go for an Opinel knife. The Opinel knives are wooden-handled folding pocket knives with the hand-crown symbol on the blade, signifying the made-in-France movement. It is very useful in home chores as well as if you are on an outing for a picnic or camping. Opinel blades are well-grounded to make the cutting a job very effortless. These come in so many diverse sizes, colors, and prices to make an ideal gift, especially for those who love cooking or kitchen tools.
Where to buy
- Coutellerie du Marais: 6 Rue du Pas de la Mule, 75003 Paris;
- E. Dehillerin: 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
14. Eiffel Tower Replica
Another popular & cliché souvenir is the replica of the Eiffel Tower Replica, the most iconic landmark of Paris. It is a common souvenir, but this does not mean it should be disregarded. You can share your experience and picturesque views of the city that you snapped at the Eiffel Tower with your relatives & friends, along with gifting them these replicas. You can buy keychains of the mini Eiffel Tower or large detailed showpieces of the Eiffel Tower with or without a base. These large replicas will remind you of your well-spent moments in Paris.
Where to buy
- Parici: 52 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris;
- Souvenir Store: 86 Blvd Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75018 Paris, France
15. Hot Chocolate Mix
You must have visited one of the many Cafés in Paris and had delicious hot cocoa (especially if it is the winter season) during your trip to this city. Among the most renowned cafes & patisseries in the city, Angelina Tea House is famous for its lush hot chocolate. As a cozy & delectable souvenir from Paris, you can buy the ready-made hot chocolate mix from this cafe to take home. You just need to warm it up at home and enjoy the taste on a cold day. Also, you can share your Paris trip experiences with your relatives & close friends, serving or gifting this French hot chocolate mix to them. This unique Parisian taste will make them smile.
Where to buy
Angelina Paris Rive Gauche: 108 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France
While enjoying an awe-inspiring time in Paris, you may be wanting to take back a piece of remembrance with you, something that will keep reminding you about the amazing time you spent there! Notably, there is a myriad of things to buy in Paris. You will be spoiled with choices, so it can be puzzling to choose one or pick some for your dear ones to take home. Therefore, when planning your trip to Paris, you should try going through the ideas for souvenirs in Paris beforehand. The above-listed items are some of the best things to buy as Paris souvenirs. So, you can choose the ones, which you find are the most appropriate keepsake that will fitfully recall the sweet memories of your Paris trip!
