The Ultimate Paris Shopping List
Forget generic souvenirs and overpriced tourist traps. The real magic of a Parisian shopping haul hides in the aisles of local pharmacies, neighborhood grocery stores, and historic specialty boutiques. Frequent visitors rely on these local spots to find high-quality goods at prices that are often much lower than those found abroad.
Beurre Bordier and Gourmet Butter
French butter is a national obsession, particularly from regions like Normandy and Brittany. Le Beurre Bordier is the most recommended brand; you can find it at Le Bon Marché or La Grande Épicerie. Other top choices include Beurre d’Isigny and Beurre d’Echiré. For the trip home, shops can vacuum-seal it for you.
French Pharmacy Skincare
Pharmacies like Citypharma offer brands like La Roche-Posay, Caudalie, and Avène at much lower prices than in the US. Popular items include Embryolisse Lait-Crème, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, and European sunscreens. You can also find specialized products like Biafine for skin recovery and Klorane hair care.
Monoprix Reusable Totes
Monoprix is often compared to a French version of Target. Their foldable, reusable shopping bags cost around 5€ to 8€ and come in various unique prints. They are lightweight, durable, and frequently cited as a favorite practical souvenir.
Mariage Frères and Special Teas
Mariage Frères is a classic French tea brand famous for its beautiful tins and unique blends, such as the vanilla-scented varieties. You can visit their standalone shops or find them in major department stores like Le Bon Marché. Another highly recommended brand is Le Palais des Thés.
Kitchenware from E. Dehillerin
Located in the 2nd arrondissement, this historic shop is packed with professional-grade kitchen tools. Visitors often buy copper cookware, specialized garlic presses, or Eiffel Tower-shaped cookie cutters. For other functional housewares, travelers recommend Peugeot salt and pepper grinders.
Specialty Salts and Mustards
Camargue sea salt and high-quality French mustards are easy-to-pack staples. Some suggest looking for specific flavors like garlic parsley salt. For mustard, you can buy tubes of brands like Maille or find artisanal varieties at La Grande Épicerie.
French Fashion and Accessories
Paris is the place to buy Veja trainers, Repetto ballet flats, or Saint James maritime-style clothing. Other local favorites include Polène for leather bags, Sezane for silk scarves, and Le Coq Sportif for athletic wear. For children, Petit Bateau offers classic French clothing.
Confit de Canard and Sweets
Canned or jarred duck confit is shelf-stable and generally allowed through customs. Other food favorites include crème de marron (chestnut cream) in tubes, pâtes de fruits (fruit jellies) from Jacques Genin, and Gavottes cheddar crepes. Don’t forget Haribo Worldmix, which features candy mixes unique to France.
Fragrance and Personal Scents
Beyond the big names like Chanel or Guerlain, travelers recommend Fragonard for its affordable perfumes and lotions. Officine Universelle Buly offers a bespoke experience with engraved combs, personalized perfumes, and even customized hairbrushes for pets.
Linens and Stationery
High-quality table linens from Jacquard Français or Garnier-Thiebaut are beautiful and take up little luggage space. For paper lovers, Calligrane offers exquisite stationery. Unique cultural items like bandes dessinées (French comics) such as Tintin or Astérix are also popular keepsakes.
Specialty Spirits and Mixers
For a unique drink, look for Picon Biere, a bitter orange mixer added to plain beer that is difficult to find in the US. Another rare find is Noyau de Poissy, a sweet almond-flavored liqueur made from apricot pits. Chartreuse is also highly recommended as it is increasingly hard to find elsewhere.
French Knives and Tools
Opinel folding wooden-handled knives are a favorite practical souvenir from the Savoie region. For high-end kitchen knives, many travelers seek out the Laguiole brand.
Unique Sweets and Snacks
Beyond standard chocolate, look for Cote d’Or and Rochers Suchard bars at grocery stores. For a savory snack, Gavottes Crepes in the cheddar flavor are a cult favorite. If you have a sweet tooth, try Apericubes or Haribo Tirlibibi, a specific candy mix unique to the French market.
Specialized Body Care
DOP body wash is popular for its unusual food-inspired scents like chocolate chip cookies, pancakes, and syrup. For hair care, travelers recommend Klorane products and high-quality French hairsprays. Le Petit Marseillais body creams are also noted for their distinct, pleasant fragrances.
Handcrafted and Artistic Goods
If you are an artist, the historic Sennelier shop offers world-renowned oil pastels and supplies. For a more sentimental souvenir, look for croissant-scented stamps at the post office; they smell like fresh bread and can be used to mail letters within France.
Antique and Museum Finds
The Marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves is a top-rated flea market for finding vintage sterling silver pins, antique mirrors, and paintings. Museum gift shops, particularly the one at Musée Carnavalet, are excellent for finding unique Paris-themed souvenirs that aren’t typical “tchotchkes”.
Home and Laundry Care
A specific practical item mentioned is the Fer à Cheval stain-removing stick, which is a staple for French laundry care. You can also find high-quality Savon de Marseille bar soaps at most local supermarkets.
Pro Shopping Tip: Le Bon Marché 2nd Floor
While the ground floor of Le Bon Marché is famous for food, the 2nd floor contains a “grocery” gift store featuring Brigitte Tanaka embroidered eco-bags. These bags, particularly the ones designed to hold a baguette, are highly prized as unique gifts.
Final Shipping and Packing Tips
Always pack perishables like butter and cheese in your checked luggage; airport security often considers them liquids and will confiscate them from carry-ons. If you are buying wine or liquor, such as Chartreuse or Noyau de Poissy, use JetBags to cushion the bottles and absorb liquid in case of breakage.
. Whether you are hunting for world-class skincare at a fraction of the cost or gourmet butter that requires its own checked bag, the city offers a wealth of cult-favorite products that travelers swear by
. From artisanal kitchen tools to the perfect 1€ reusable tote, this list covers the essential items you need to track down before heading home
.