There is So Much to Do in the Historical City of Paris that It can Be Overwhelming Deciding What to Buy! Here are 10 Items You Can Bring Back As Souvenirs From Paris (2021)

There is So Much to Do in the Historical City of Paris that It can Be Overwhelming Deciding What to Buy! Here are 10 Items You Can Bring Back As Souvenirs From Paris (2021)

Delicious food, marvelous history, and picturesque scenes are what defines the beautiful city of Paris! If you're visiting the French capital for the first time, and need a guide to help you shop the best of the best from Paris, we have got you covered through this post. Find below the 10 best items you can bring back home with you from Paris.

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Paris - A Heaven for Shopaholics

People in Paris are known for their great taste and extraordinary fashion sense. You will find something for everyone in Paris without having to spend much money on things. Paris if full of shopping markets, which makes it a heaven for people with a passion for shopping. You will find a ton of people visiting Paris just to shop.

Paris is also known for creating innovative trends, and you can find things in the streets, malls, and small boutiques. Here are a few things which are a must-buy when you are in Paris.

Shopping in The City of Lights - What to Buy in Paris!

French Soap Souvenir

If you are in Paris, then buying gifts for your folks back home is a must. Everyone you know will be expecting something from you when you return from this shopping heaven. Paris is known for its fragrant soaps. Soap is being made in France since the middle ages, and you can find them in almost all the shops. You will also be able to find the most famous soap bars from Provence and Marseille, but if you are thinking of buying a good amount of soap for gifts, then you can easily buy cheap soap bars at the supermarket. They come in a variety of colours, shapes, and smells. Some of the best ones are the orange blossom and Savon au lait (milk). Your friends will love to have these soaps in their bathroom and feel the warmth of Paris through your gift.

A Béret

Paris is known for style and fashion, and what could be a better style statement than a Beret? French people love to wear Berets. A Beret is a knitted woolen hat and is made by Parisian artists. Although people in France have adopted many different styles over time but wearing a Beret is still loved by them. Getting a Beret for your loved one will be a good idea for you to bring back a part of France to them. You can find some expensive ones in branded stores, but you can also buy cheap Berets in almost all the gift shops across Paris. Some of them are made in China, but if you want an original piece, then look for the ones manufactured in France.

You can buy some great Berets at La Cerise Sur Le Chapeau. Buy a Beret and gift it so someone special, you don't even have to worry about the size as one size usually fits all.

A Bottle of Wine

We all have that one friend who would die for a great bottle of wine. Paris is known for some great wines, and buying a bottle for that one friend will make him the happiest person in the world. People in Paris love to drink wine for relaxing after a hectic day. It is an integral part of the Parisian culture and lifestyle, therefore getting a bottle of wine can be a great souvenir from Paris.

Bringing back a bottle of wine and sipping it with your friends will make them feel as if they were a part of your trip to Paris. You can find some great wines at the Nicolas stores spread across the city. You can also buy it from the Montmartre vineyard if you’re looking for some cheaper options.

Jewellery, Watches & Perfumes from Van Cleef and Arpels

Paris is famous for its Van Cleef and Arpel's store. It was established in 1896, and you can visit it at 22 Place Vendome. It has won several awards for its ability to bring the stones and gems to life. You can easily spot many celebrities wearing jewellery from Van Cleef and Arpels. One very famous piece from the place is the four-star clover pendants. Other than the jewellery, the place is also known for its perfumes. You can find some great perfumes which will remind you of Paris whenever you spray it. Buying a gift from Van Cleef and Arpel's store will definitely make your loved ones feel special!

Stamped Book from Shakespeare & Company

If you are in love with books, then you will love the Shakespeare and Company. It is one of the most famous English language ex-pat bookstores close to Notre Dame. It offers great new and second-hand books for people of all ages; you can find some great books for kids aged 2 to 12 years old. The place was once known for having great writers and artists like Hemingway and Fitzgerald simply hanging out here and spending a good deal of time at the store.

Although it is an old book store, it still has the same charm and uniqueness to it. People love to visit the store and browse through millions of books. You can even get a book stamped at the store and put it one of the tote bags available in the store to make it a special gift for your loved one. It will be a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to read great books.

Another great thing about the store is that if you are not sure as to which book to buy, you can easily pick any number of books and spend hours in the library on the small beds tucked between the bookshelves and read away.

Macarons

If you are in Paris and didn't buy Macarons, then consider your trip incomplete. These super delicious pastries are made from almond powder, egg whites, and sugar. They are difficult to make; therefore, they are quite expensive, but people in Paris love eating Macarons. You can find them in some age-old flavors or new innovative flavors as well. You will have eaten them to know why they are in such huge demand.

It is one thing you should buy and take home with you. You can buy these Macarons from almost any bakery, but to get the best one, you should visit the Boutique Pierre Herme Opera or the Dalloyau. You will be able to taste some of the most ancient flavours of Macarons from these places.

Eiffel Tower Keyring

If you want to buy something significant, then buying a piece which will remind you of the beauty of Eiffel Tower would be the best idea. You can find tons of different things with pictures of Eiffel Tower on it like cool hats or T-shirts, but the best thing to buy is the keyrings in the shape of the Eiffel Tower.

Keyrings make great gifts as they are used by everyone, and sporting one with Eiffel Tower on it will make your friends feel special. You can find these cute keyrings in every nook and corner in Paris. They come in various sizes and colours; you may find some in neon shades as well. These keyrings look great, and you can buy them in bulk at affordable prices.

A Marinière Shirt

Another great thing to buy from Paris is the fashionable Mariniere shirt, also known as the Breton Shirt. The Mariniere shirt became popular through the French Navy and now has become a stereotypical image of the French. It becomes a fashion statement later on by Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld in WWI.

You can find these iconic shirts in almost all the stores at affordable prices. If you are into buying from brands, then you can find a Mariniere Shirt from the Gap store. These shirts look good on everyone, and you can pair them with jeans or skirts and look stylish. Buying a Mariniere Shirt will help you bring one of the great styles of Paris right at your home.

Delicious Chocolates

Chocolates are loved by all, and if you are planning to buy a few things from Paris, buying chocolates should be on your list. They make great gifts as well. You can find great chocolates packed in beautiful boxes which you can buy either for yourself as a reminder of your visit to Paris or souvenirs for your friends and family. These great-tasting chocolates will bring back memories from Paris each time you dig into them. You can find these chocolates in every bakery store in Paris.

Sel de Guerande

If you are into cooking and using unique ingredients, then you should buy the Sel de Guerande or sea salt from Paris. These handpicked sea salts are from the coasts of Brittany in Western France and are exported all around the world. If you buy it from anywhere else in the world, you will have to get it from specialty stores, but finding them in Paris is easy, and they are cheaper here than other places.
You can find them at the grocery stores, Galleries Lafayette, in the gourmet food section, during the weekend street market at the Bastille metro stop, among other places. They are easy to carry with you as they come packed in small pots, bags, or bottles, depending on you what you prefer.

Some Must-Visit Markets in Paris

  • Boulevard Saint Germain is one of the best places to shop in Paris. It is situated near the Seine River, and you can find great shops here for home decor, fashion boutiques, and some of the best gourmet food stores. You will love to shop here during summer as the rows of green trees will keep you cool, and the Parisian buildings around the place will add another level to your shopping spree. You can also enjoy the Paris cruises on the Seine while you shop here.

  • Rue Du Commerce is another excellent place to be at if you are in a mood to shop. It is a great market filled with popular branded shops as well as small boutiques. You can find some great discounts at these shops. There are many cafes and bakeries for you to sit and catch your breath before you head out to other shops and have a great time. Head out to Rue Du Commerce and buy the latest trends in Paris and flaunt it among your friends.

  • Le Marais is situated in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and is one of the most visited shopping places in Paris. It is famous for its trendy boutiques, vintage shops, and great restaurants. People in Paris love to hang around here and chill with their friends. It is open every day, but the best day to be here is Sunday. Things such as cool hats, glasses, and other vintage articles are available here.

  • Rue De Rivoli is situated by the Tuileries Garden and Louvre Museum and is a popular place to shop in Paris. You will have to follow a guide to shop here as the place is enormous with thousands of different shops which might leave you confused and tired. You will need at least two days to cover the whole shopping area. Don't forget to visit the nearby streets, including Rue de Turenne and Saint Paul Village, for a great shopping experience.

  • If you love perfumes, head to Guerlain. You can find the most iconic collection of great perfumes near the Champs-Elysees. It is a beautifully decorated location, designed by the famous architect, Peter Marino. They have experts in the store to help you buy the best perfume for you. You will fall in love with the store as soon as you walk in.

  • If you like to buy beauty products, then you need to visit the Officine Universelle Buly. It is situated in Le Marais and is famous for the best hand creams, powders, essential oils, and perfumes. You can also find great handcrafted pocket combs, fragrance diffusing stones, and many more things which you can buy as souvenirs for family members.
Writer
Sarita Tiwari
Sarita worked in the development sector for 20 years but found her passion in writing. She is a blogger, a content writer and a ghost writer for various industries. When not writing, you will find her spending time with her family, cooking and traveling. She is an introvert and feels that writing gives a voice to her thoughts.
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