Are you looking for a unique souvenir from Paris? It feels like there are souvenir shops on every street corner, selling everything from mass-produced magnets to shot glasses to keychains. If you’re looking for something special, however, something uniquely Parisian, here are 13 of the best souvenirs you can purchase in Paris, either for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for others.
1 | Felt Ornaments From Christmas Company
These gorgeous hand-embroidered ornaments can be spotted all over Paris. Featuring famous French figures, symbols, landmarks, and more, an ornament from Christmas Company makes a striking memento of any trip to Paris. Notable examples include the iconic green Metropolitain sign, a shimmering Arc de Triomphe, and a “Monet in Summer” figure holding one of his water lilies from Giverny. Browse ornaments online, and find even more options throughout Paris.
2 | Macarons
Paris is well-known for its delicious pastry scene, and macarons are some of the tastiest and easiest to transport treats on the market. Buy them à la carte, or opt for a beautiful, gift-ready box of several different flavors. Some of the best-known pâtisseries in Paris include Pierre Hermé, Ladurée, and Carette. Each has multiple locations throughout the city. My personal favorite is 86Champs, the L’Occitane x Pierre Hermé crossover concept shop on the Champs-Élysées, which features a fun little bar, restaurant, and tea house tucked into the back of the space. Purchase macarons from Ladurée here. They can be shipped to most places in the United States!
Find it in Paris: (86Champs) 86 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
3 | Mustard from La Maison Maille Paris
La Maison Maille in Paris features so much more than the everyday dijon you might see at your hometown grocery store. The shop on the Place de la Madeleine features, for a start, mustard on tap. Select your favorite condiment and have it hand-poured into the earthenware jar of your choice to create a one-of-a-kind gift for the foodie in your life. A cool bonus for Parisians: when the jar is emptied, it can be brought back to the store for a refill! Maille has over 80 varieties of mustard, as well as oils, vinegars, and a selection of cooking supplies. Black Truffle Mustard with Chablis White Wine and Honey Mustard with Modena Balsamic Vinegar are two flavors that I’d love to try. Browse Maille products here.
Find it in Paris: 6 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, France
4 | Rare and Secondhand Books
One of the most enduring icons of Paris, the bouquinistes stalls along the River Seine sell an assortment of rare books, vintage newsprints, posters, and more. Another fun place to browse for books is the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore on the left bank, made forever famous by creatives like Hemingway and Fitzgerald. For an extra-memorable gift, you can have the inside cover of your book purchases stamped with the official Shakespeare and Company stamp.
Find it in Paris: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
5 | Art
At the bouquinistes, as well as at hundreds of small shops throughout the city, you can find all kinds of prints and original art inspired by the legacy of Paris. Think watercolors of Notre Dame, sketches of the Seine, and prints of beloved works from artists like Alphonse Mucha and Vincent Van Gogh. Street artists are plentiful, as are inspiring museum gift shops. There is no shortage of art in Paris, and it can be as expensive or cost-effective as you like, making it a popular souvenir and gift from Paris.
6 | Absinthe
Absinthe is a bitter, anise flavored, wormwood-based alcoholic drink with hallucinogenic properties, commonly associated with creative minds like Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway. Modern absinthe, containing 35 mg or less of the thujone which supposedly caused psychedelic effects, can still be enjoyed in France.
Absinthe can be brought back to the States from Paris, but it is subject to some intense regulations. As laid out by U.S. Border Patrol, “the absinthe content must be ‘thujone free’ (that is, it must contain less than 10 parts per million of thujone); the term ‘absinthe’ cannot be the brand name; the term ‘absinthe’ cannot stand alone on the label; and the artwork and/or graphics cannot project images of hallucinogenic, psychotropic or mind-altering effects.” Bummer. If you can manage it, absinthe makes an especially fun and unique gift from France. you’re concerned about these rules, of course, absinthe can also be purchased in the States.
Read more about the fascinating history and reputation of absinthe here.
7 | Cheese
Need I say more? There are currently around 1,600 French cheeses available, making this an endlessly-delectable gift for foodies and francophiles alike. Some popular fromageries in Paris include Barthélémy in Saint-Germain, Chez Virginie near Sacre Coeur, and Androuët, with over 10 locations in Paris alone. See more top-rated fromageries here, and check U.S. customs restrictions on cheese here.
Find it in Paris: 51 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
8 | French Skincare & Beauty Products
One of my favorite things to do in Paris is browse the pharmacy shelves for French beauty brands that are either expensive to difficult to find in the States. Products from brands like Caudalie, Embryolisse, Klorane, and Nuxe are all readily available, often at a lower price compared with what is sold in the States. My personal favorite is Pharmacie de la Mairie (see it in maps here) in Le Marais. Browse pharmacies, department stores and flagship stores from brands like Yves Saint Laurent for luxurious beauty gifts at a great price.
9 | Tea from Mariage Frères
Mariage Frères has a long history in the trade and sale of tea products. Brothers Nicolas and Pierre Mariage sourced and traded tea for French royalty starting in the 17th century, and their descendants opened a wholesale tea shop in Paris in the mid-1800s. Today, Mariage Frères has five retail locations and tea rooms in Paris alone, and is recognized as a luxury brand in over 60 countries of sale. The Le Marais and Étoile locations feature a full menu of savory and sweet options, as well as an extensive retail store with plenty of gifting options. Shop online here.
Find it in Paris: 30 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, France
10 | Gourmet Hot Chocolate
There is no shortage of places to enjoy a rich, dark cup of hot chocolate in Paris, but the “African” hot chocolate from Angelina seems to top every list. made with three kinds of African cocoa from Niger, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Bring home a taste of Paris with either ready-made or powdered cocoa products and more here.
Find it in Paris: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
11 | Bespoke Perfume
With French fragrance houses like Chanel and Guerlain based in Paris, there are endless gift options available for the discerning nose. For a truly one-of-a-kind gift however, you can opt to have a custom fragrance created especially for you or your loved one.
One of the most widely-known bespoke perfumers, of course, is Fragonard, which offers free tours and a range of paid perfume-making options at its Musée du Parfum Fragonard. Read about additional houses offering bespoke perfume services here.
12 | Truffle Products
For a truly luxurious gift, consider bringing home some real truffles. Truffles can cost thousands of dollars per pound, in large part because they are hard to find and even more difficult to grow. As a less expensive alternative, consider a bottle of truffle oil, which is olive oil infused with white or black truffle essence.
Find it in Paris: 19 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris, France
13 | Flea Market Finds
Finally, for a truly one-of-a-kind gift, stop by one of the city’s many flea markets for everything from jewelry to antique furniture. Paris is home to the largest antique flea market in the world, called Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. For flea market directions, advice, and a detailed look at some of the shops in Les Puces, check out this helpful article from Paris Perfect.
Find it in Paris: Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France
BONUS: Gourmet Food Gifts from Fauchon Paris
One of the best gifts to receive from Paris is, of course, food, and Fauchon is an excellent place to source a little of everything. Cookies, chocolates, tea, jam, vinegar, foie gras, spices and more are all readily available à la carte or in perfectly curated gourmet gift boxes. If you’re in a hurry, or buying gifts for multiple people, Fauchon is a great one-stop shopping destination. There truly is something to satisfy every palate.
Find it in Paris: GALERIES LAFAYETTE 40 Boulevard Hausmann, 75009 Paris, France
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