20+ Unique Things Worth Bringing Back from Paris

Some travelers buy souvenirs. Others come home with a suitcase full of things they can’t stop talking about, things that remind them every day that they’ve been to Paris.

This guide covers the most interesting, useful, and often hard-to-find items travelers regularly bring back from the French capital. Everything listed below comes from real people who’ve done it themselves.

1. Skincare and Pharmacy Finds

French pharmacies are a category of their own. Citypharma is the famous one, but it’s usually crowded.

Many recommend the pharmacy inside Forum des Halles for better stock and calmer service. Others mention Grande Pharmacie de la Pompe near Passy or even local neighborhood options.

2. Bags, Leather Goods, and Accessories

Photo: jean-louis zimmermann (CC BY 2.0)

Bags are one of the most popular purchases, especially mid-tier and boutique French brands that are hard to find (or overpriced) abroad.

Mentioned favorites:

Le Tanneur: Excellent quality. Recommended by several travelers over Polène. The boutique near Le Bon Marché is praised for service and even a charming older salesperson who helps with détaxe.
Faure Le Page: No U.S. store. Recognized for beautiful, unique prints.
Ateliers Auguste: Located in the Marais. Clean design, quality materials, and a less hyped alternative to major names.
Polène: Cheaper in Paris thanks to VAT refunds. Also more options in-store.
Pourchet: Boutique bags that aren’t available in the U.S.
RSVP, Jack Russell (Marais shop), Desmaltier, and Longchamp: Each brand was recommended by travelers who came back with purchases that became wardrobe staples.

Special mentions:

Macon et Lesquoy brooches
Timeless Pearly jewelry (appointment-only showroom)
Arthus-Bertrand for fine jewelry
Chez Maman for watches in the Marais

3. Clothing Brands and Boutique Fashion

Paris has plenty of independent labels and French staples that offer more variety (and better prices) than what you’ll find abroad. Highlights:

Sézane: Available in NYC, but Paris prices are better and stock is broader.
Rouje, Balzac Paris, Soeur, Rosaé, Sessùn, Mes Demoiselles, Make My Lemonade, Art du Basic, Les Prairies de Paris: All mentioned.
Monoprix clothing: People love their natural fiber basics: cashmere, camis, loungewear. Some stores don’t carry clothing, so choose location carefully.
Galleries Lafayette cashmere: Mentioned as a surprisingly good deal.
JOTT packable jackets: Great for travel.
Koshka Paris and Erotokritos: Only available in their Paris showrooms.
IKKS and Finger in the Nose: Stylish kids’ outerwear.

Some recommend hiring a personal stylist (Styled by Yaneta) to get more out of boutique shopping.

4. Skincare and Fragrance Shopping

If skincare dominates the pharmacies, fragrance dominates the department stores and specialty boutiques. Popular picks:

Diptyque: The “Paris” candle and Rue Duphot candle are boutique-only. Custom engraving available in-store. These exclusives aren’t stocked in U.S. stores.
Fragonard: Strongly recommended for both regular shopping and the “make-your-own-perfume” experience. You mix top, heart, and base notes of their annual scent.
Officine Universelle Buly (Buly 1803): One of the most praised spots overall. Known for packaging, personalization, and atmosphere.
Typology and Violette_FR: Trendy and often cheaper or more complete in Paris.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian: Found in Le Bon Marché, with some engraved bottles and more competitive pricing.

Also mentioned are Sabe Masson soft perfumes, Parle Moi de Parfum, and the Nose Paris niche perfume boutique.

5. Food and Grocery Items

Many travelers bring back food, not just packaged snacks but items they build their pantry around. A few staples:

Bordier butter: Available vacuum-sealed at La Grande Épicerie. Comes in flavors like yuzu, sarrasin, or piment. Frequently frozen and checked in luggage.
Maille mustard (from the tap): Only available in their Paris and Lyon boutiques. Comes in ceramic corked jars with dozens of flavors.
Cassoulet in tins: Especially La Belle Chaurienne.
Tinned fish: While La Belle-Iloise is mentioned, some suggest going instead to Epicerie de Loic B or G. Detou for higher-quality brands.
Chestnut paste in tubes, Tesseire syrups, honey, nougat, Haribo Dragibus, blackcurrant candies, saucisson, pâté, and boudin noir in tins
Plaq chocolate and spreads
Angelina hot chocolate mix
Confiture, seasoning blends, and goose pâté
Rose nougat from La Cure Gourmande
Croustiz (peanut-flavored snack like Curly)

Some travelers carry back bags full of food, even getting sniffed by customs dogs. Just avoid bringing in raw meat, cheese, or fruits unless they’re canned.

6. Wine, Champagne, and Spirits

Many people buy champagne or wine at French prices that would be unthinkable elsewhere. A few tips:

Buy a hard-sided suitcase just for bringing champagne home (from a sommelier).
Duty-free at CDG (especially Terminal 2) offers solid brand-name options.
For more unique bottles, go to a caviste (independent wine merchant).
Specific mentions: Volvent 2022, small-producer Sancerre, and Loire Valley wines from Amboise
Elixir des Pères Chartreux: A liqueur used as a bitter, praised for its vintage-style packaging.

7. Books and Paper Goods

Books can be found everywhere, but some places in Paris offer a version you can’t get at home. Best stops:

Shakespeare and Company: The books themselves aren’t special, but the stamp inside (“Kilometer Zero”) is only available in person.
Librairie Lardanchet: For art books and museum picks.
Passage du Grand Cerf: A covered arcade full of small artisans. Ideal for buying a scarf or piece of jewelry that feels one-of-a-kind.
Melodie Graphics: Also mentioned for stylish design goods.

8. Kids’ Items and Toys

Some travelers buy clothing or toys for kids that feel very French. Recommended:

Jacadi outfits: Classic style. Expensive abroad, especially outside of sales.
Astérix & Obélix plushies or figurines, including Idéfix
Magic: The Gathering cards in French
Petit Bateau marinières: Some say the adult collection is harder to find abroad.

9. Household, Kitchenware, and Decor

Many return with items for the home, from practical kitchen tools to stylish little objects.

Some items worth hunting down:

E. Dehillerin: Copper cookware, molds, pastry rollers. Prices often a third of what you’d pay in the U.S.
Merci: Concept store in the Marais. You’ll find everything from homeware to designer notebooks. Also sells branded souvenirs.
Marin Montagut: Quirky Paris-themed home goods with artistic flair.
Monoprix and Carrefour tote bags: Cheap, practical, and fun. The Monoprix ones especially have become low-key cult items.
Museums and BHV: Great spots for unique souvenirs, including items with Paris Metro or artist themes.

10. Special Shopping Tips and Other Mentions

Détaxe (VAT refund): Applies to many purchases over €100 in a single store. Bring your passport and follow instructions for claiming at the airport.
Department stores like Le Bon Marché are frequently recommended for browsing multiple brands at once. They also stock limited editions and offer engraving or personalization at fragrance counters.
Miniso (Paris edition): Some travelers mention Paris-only versions of this Japanese chain.
Chartreuse and other specialty liqueurs: Still popular for collectors and hard to find abroad.
Paris Métro merchandise: Available at BHV or specialty design shops.

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