Paris has a rhythm of its own. You feel it while sitting in a busy café or walking along the Seine. It is a city of style and history. Naturally, you want to bring a piece of that atmosphere home.
However, finding the right gift is not always easy. The streets are full of shops selling the same generic items. You want to avoid that. You are looking for non touristy souvenirs that hold real sentimental value.
In this guide, we have selected 21 unique things to buy in Paris. These are items that are authentic, useful, and worth the space in your luggage.
1. Pharmacy Skincare Items
If you ask any local, they will tell you to go to a pharmacy. Brands like La Roche-Posay and Avene are cheaper to buy in Paris than almost anywhere else.
It is not just about the price. You can find products here that you cannot find at home. It is a useful gift that people will actually use.
Where to get: Citypharma at 26 Rue du Four or Pharmacy Monge at 74 Rue Monge.
Source: parisfordreamers
2. Eiffel Tower Souvenirs
We know what you are thinking. This is the most sold souvenir in the world. But it is a classic for a reason. You can buy a nice metal model, of course.
But for something truly personal, use the photos you took yourself. You can use a UV printer to print your best shot of the tower onto a canvas or a mug. It creates a precious and special memory.
Where to get: Your own camera roll for photos, or souvenir shops on Rue de Rivoli for metal models.
Source: Amin Zabardast
3. French Butter
French butter tastes very different from regular butter. It is richer and creamier. Maison Bordier is the famous brand everyone loves. They have cool flavors like Yuzu or smoked salt.
Do not worry about the flight home. If you ask the shop, they will vacuum seal it for you. This keeps it fresh in your bag.
Where to get: La Grande Épicerie de Paris at 38 Rue de Sèvres.
Source: tasteatlas
4. Tote Bags
In Paris, a tote bag is more than just a bag. It is a cultural badge. You will see people carrying them everywhere, from the metro to the market.
Whether you choose a literary one from a bookshop or an artistic one from a gallery, it is a chic way to carry your daily items back home.
Where to get: Merci, Yvon Lambert, Shakespeare & Company, or museum gift shops like Centre Pompidou.
Source: bestsoluvs
5. Monnaie de Paris Coins
This is a fun and cheap souvenir. The Monnaie de Paris makes gold colored coins for famous places. They only cost 2 or 3 euros.
It is a great way to remember exactly where you went. You can try to find one for every museum or monument you visit.
Where to get: Gift shops inside museums or the Monnaie de Paris store at 11 Quai de Conti.
Source: Musée de l'horlogerie et du décolletage
6. French Wine
France is famous for wine. But do not use your luggage space for a bottle you can buy at home. Look for "Grower Champagne" or local wines that are not sold in other countries.
A 15 euro bottle in a Paris supermarket often tastes amazing.
Where to get: Nicolas wine shops found all over Paris or Monoprix supermarkets.
Source: Elle Hughes
7. Macarons
These are the famous colorful cookies. But be careful as they break easily. They also do not stay fresh for long. You should eat them or give them as gifts within 3 or 4 days.
The good news is that they come in beautiful boxes. You can keep the box to store your jewelry after you eat the cookies.
Where to get: Pierre Hermé, Ladurée, or Le Latrec.
Source: Volodymyr Proskurovskyi
8. Books from Shakespeare & Company
In a world of ebooks, a real book is special. Shakespeare & Co. is a legendary bookstore. You can find great English books here.
When you buy one, ask the staff to stamp the inside cover with their logo. It turns a normal book into a special memory of your trip.
Where to get: Shakespeare and Company at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie.
Source: Anita Gupta
9. Maille Mustard
Forget the plain yellow mustard. In Paris, you can go to the Maille shop and get fresh mustard from a tap. They put it in nice ceramic jars.
They have flavors like truffle or blue cheese. Even the supermarkets have cool flavors like walnut that are hard to find in other countries.
Where to get: La Maison Maille at 6 Place de la Madeleine.
Source: epicure
10. Baking Tools
If you have a friend who likes to bake, this is the best gift. Go to a shop called E. Dehillerin. It is where real chefs shop.
You can buy a simple dough scraper with their name on it. It is cheap and very professional. You can also find high quality rolling pins here.
Where to get: E. Dehillerin at 18 Rue Coquillière.
Source: Alex Lau
11. French Cheese
You have to try the cheese in France. From soft Camembert to hard Comté, there are so many choices. Hard cheese is easier to travel with.
If you bring soft cheese, make sure it is sealed very tight to stop the smell. Also, check your customs rules first, or the airport might take it away.
Where to get: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois or the cheese aisle in Monoprix.
Source: Eric Prouzet
12. French Perfume
France is the home of perfume. You can buy a classic bottle from Fragonard. Or you can visit the big Guerlain store on the Champs-Élysées. It is a beautiful place.
Many shops can also engrave your name on the bottle. This adds a nice personal touch.
Where to get: Guerlain at 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées or Fragonard museums.
Source: O'bon Paris
13. Reusable Shopping Bags
These bags are very popular for a reason. Monoprix sells cool, foldable bags that fit in your pocket. They have new patterns all the time.
They are cheap and very small, so they take up no space in your suitcase. It is a practical gift that is also very French.
Where to get: Any Monoprix supermarket in the city.
Source: wwlovemk
14. Museum Souvenirs
Paris has the best museums in the world. The gift shops there are actually very good. You can find nice things like coasters with art from the Louvre.
These items are tasteful and remind you of the art you saw.
Where to get: Gift shops at The Louvre or Musée d'Orsay.
Source: louvre
15. French Beret
You will see cheap red hats in every tourist shop. Those are okay for fun. But if you want a real one, look for the brand Laulhère.
They are made well and keep you warm. It is a classic French item that looks very stylish.
Where to get: Laulhère at 7 Rue de la Paix or Galeries Lafayette.
Source: ReneDream
16. Artisanal Chocolate
If you want something fancy, go to a chocolate maker like Alain Ducasse. Their chocolates look like art.
If you want to save money, check the chocolate aisle at the supermarket. Brands like Lindt or generic store brands in France are often much better than candy bars at home.
Where to get: Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse or local supermarkets.
Source: La Manufacture de chocolat Alain Ducasse
17. Jewelry
Paris is full of great jewelry. You can look for big luxury brands. But you can also find small shops in the Le Marais area.
They sell unique rings and necklaces made by local designers. It is something you can wear every day to remember your trip.
Where to get: Small boutiques in Le Marais or Place Vendôme.
Source: verpal_createur
18. French Tea
England is famous for tea, but French tea is also very good. Brands like Mariage Frères have blends you cannot find easily online.
The "Marco Polo" tea is a favorite. The tins are beautiful and look great on your kitchen shelf.
Where to get: Mariage Frères at 30 Rue du Bourg Tibourg.
Source: Becky
19. Silk Scarves
You do not need to spend a fortune to get a nice silk scarf. Many department stores sell beautiful ones with detailed patterns.
It is an easy way to make your outfit look a bit more Parisian.
Where to get: Galeries Lafayette at 40 Boulevard Haussmann or vintage shops.
Source: petitjeanparis
20. Marseille soap
This soap is famous in France. Real Marseille soap is made from natural oils and is very gentle.
You can buy big blocks or small bars that smell like lavender. It is not expensive and makes your bathroom smell amazing.
Where to get: Marius Fabre shops or most pharmacies.
Source: LaJolieFrance
21. Flea Market Treasures
For a real adventure, go to the St Ouen flea market. You can find old postcards, tins, or silver spoons. These things have history.
Finding a vintage item here feels like a real treasure hunt.
Where to get: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen at Avenue de la Porte de Clignancourt.
Source: Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is the best souvenir from Paris?
It depends on what you like. But pharmacy skincare and food items like butter or mustard are usually the best value. They are useful and high quality.
Where is the best place to buy Paris souvenirs?
For food and affordable gifts, the supermarket Monoprix is the best place. For fashion and variety, visit a large department store like Galeries Lafayette. For unique and vintage items, you should visit the flea markets.
What is Paris famously known for?
Paris is famous for fashion, food, and art. Souvenirs that show these things, like a scarf, macarons, or a museum print, are always good choices.
What things are cheaper to buy in Paris?
Luxury goods and skincare brands are significantly cheaper here than other countries. There are no import taxes. Wine and cheese are also much cheaper for the quality you get.
