Shop | The 13 Best & Unique Souvenirs In Paris

Paris is one of those places you’re never done and never will you have seen it all. It’s the same for all the unique objects the people here make. I found items in every industry and discipline of high quality and well worth considering bringing home. I honestly had a very hard time not purchasing more.

Below is my roundup of the best and unique souvenirs you can pick up while in Paris.

1. Hot Chocolate

If you enjoyed your hot chocolate from Angelina’s, you can bring it home with you by picking up hot chocolate mix from La Grande Épicerie de Paris (map).

2. Chestnut Spread (Puree de Marrons)

Chestnut in tube form is very common in grocery stores. The one from Angelina’s is available at La Grande Épicerie de Paris (map). Have it with toast or add to dessert recipes.

3. Butter

You may have been instructed to get Bordier Butter from La Grande Épicerie de Paris (map). Their butter is indeed fantastic (any grocery store butter is great) but for 1 euro, La Grande Épicerie will vacuum seal your purchase at checkout for easy transport.

4. Tea

If you enjoy flavoured teas, check out Mariage Frères, Palais Des Thés or Dammann Frères for an endless selection.

If you are in the Marais (4th arrondissement), all 3 brands above have a storefront presence. Mariage Frères even has a restaurant above the store in this neighbourhood.

5. Mustard

Mustard in Paris was like no other mustard experience I’d ever had. The concentration of flavour and heat was nearly unrecognizable but immediately wonderful. You can pick up tubes of mustard at the grocery store or pop into La Maison Maille (map) for a heavenly selection.

6. Salt, Pepper & Spices

For a wide assortment of salt (fleur de sel), pepper and other spices, head to La Grande Épicerie de Paris (map) or drop in the nearby Compagnie Française des Poivres et des Epices (map) for spices in packaging you’ll want to keep on display indefinitely.

7. Sweets

Whether you love chocolate, pate de fruits, macarons and so forth, this is a city with no shortage of delectable delights. Here are some popular shops for sweets:

• À la Mère de Famille (multiple locations)
• Pierre Hermé (multiple locations)
• Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse (multiple locations)

8. Olive Oil Soap

The soap quality was undeniably high in Paris and many of the scents were beautifully balanced. I highly recommend Savonnerie de Montmartre (map) where products are reasonably priced. They have a good selection of scents including fleur de coton and magnolia.

9. Perfume

Paris loves scents so much they even have a Perfume Museum you can visit!

But to take a bit of French perfumery excellence home with you, Galeries Lafayette (map) and Printemps Haussmann (map) both carry large selections. For brands with multiple boutiques in town, check out Diptyque or Frederic Malle.

10. Jewelry

Jewelry standards are very high in France so it’s a great place to pick up accessories especially if you have allergies. Whether in standalone shops, pop-ups or department stores, high quality jewelry is widely available at every price point. I personally enjoy dainty jewelry for everyday wear and fell in love with the following brands and stores:

• Zag Bijoux
• Bobart’ 
• YAY
• Huguette Paris

If you’re short on time, wide selections of jewelry can be found in department and concept stores including BHV (map), Galeries Lafayette (map), Merci (map) and La Samaritaine (map).

11. Artisan Ateliers

I think I could write an entire article about the amazing artisans in this city. Creating everything from tableware ceramics to beautifully sculpted flower porcelain, Paris delivers crafts at its highest degree.

Visit these artisans when in Paris for a unique and memorable travel token. Note some of these shops are by appointment only.

For a concept store experience showcasing multiple artists and different types of homeware, head over to Empreintes (map).

• Marin Montagut
• Le Cabinet de Porcelaine
• m-ceramique
• Atelier Kim Lê
• Astier de Villatte
• Alix D. Reynis
• Marie Daâge
• Karen Swami
• La Tuile à Loup

12. Flea Markets

Although there are a few flea markets in Paris, the most famous is Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen open from Friday to Monday. This flea market is actually a campus of multiple markets. Paul Bert Serpette (map) is probably the most well known however, it consists largely of high-end furniture which is not the most practical for travellers. My personal favourites are Marché Dauphine (map) and Marché Vernaison (map). Both have a wide variety of items, price points, and curiosities.

13. Vintage Paper Products

If you are looking for vintage postcards, maps, posters, books and the like, make sure to stop by the Bouquinistes located on both sides of the Seine. Though the easily recognizable green boxes themselves are permanent structures along the river, they open on weekends only.

Alternatively, find Cartes Postales de Collection Prins Terence (map) when strolling through Passage des Panoramas for a wide selection of vintage postcards.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found something interesting and useful.

Happy hunting!