If you’re one of those generous travelers, you delight in picking out something special for that friend who couldn’t make it on the trip with you this time around. You flick through the dime-a-dozen t-shirts in the airport, you walk past the snow globes and key chains and opt out of the kitschy plastic Eiffel Towers the vendors wave at you in front of all the tourist attractions. So what’s a thoughtful friend supposed to buy as a souvenir for someone back home?
I have some French souvenir ideas…
Continue on for the best souvenirs from France!
Yes, you can probably find some of these at specialty shops or online, but there’s something about getting the authentic item directly from France that makes it that much more special.
Best souvenirs from France
Roger & Gallet Soaps
Nice soaps are a must for your guest bathroom, so for the friend who entertains, grab a couple of Roger & Gallet soaps. They smell good, they come in pretty packaging and they’re affordable at about 5 euros/soap depending on where you shop. Check out pharmacies and parapharmacies for a full selection of scents.
Canelé mold
Canelés — a specialty of Bordeaux — are delicious but they don’t travel well in a suitcase. Do the next best thing and gift your friend a canelé mold or two. They have that undeniable French charm and will remind you of all the canelés you ate in France (or make your friend envious of all the canelés you ate in France). You can encourage your friend to try her hand at homemade canelés or just display a couple of copper molds in her kitchen as part of the decor. Or take it outside the kitchen by flipping it over and using the mold as a little catch-all for buttons, paperclips or other small items lying around for a touch of French flair.
Macarons from Ladurée
The best souvenirs from France are the ones you can eat, right? It’s a little cliche since macarons are everywhere lately and Ladurée is the most well-known place to buy the little circular treats, but they’re everywhere for a reason. A box from the famed Ladurée will not go unappreciated. The sweet treats are best eaten within a couple of days so grab them the day you fly home if possible (Paris airports have a Ladurée stand as well) and then store them in the fridge. Trust me, they’ll be the highlight of the giftee’s week. Yes, they’re that good.
A bottle of wine
In my opinion, this is one of the best souvenirs from France. While you can’t bring a whole case of wine back in your suitcase, you can safely pack a bottle or two for a well-deserving friend. My faves to bring home? A local bottle of Crémant — a bubbly wine that’s similar to Champagne and just a fraction of the price.
Something from a French flea market
A French brocante has all kinds of fun treasures just waiting to be discovered. Grab something unique for a friend or family member like a vintage tea towel, decor piece, a cafetiere like the one above (disclosure: that’s a link to my Etsy shop) or anything else that catches your eye.
A French pharmacy find
Grab a pot of NUXE honey lip balm or another fancy French pharmacy item for a welcome addition to anyone’s medicine cabinet or purse. My faves? Check ’em out here.
Cookies or a sweet spread
If you’re on a budget, pick up some French cookies or biscuits from the supermarket (more on that coming soon). I love anything from Bonne Maman. Like a jar of jam. Sometimes the regular old supermarket is a treasure trove when it comes to souvenirs!
Remember, whatever French souvenir you choose, it’s the thought that counts!
What are the best souvenirs from France in your opinion?
I love all of your ideas! I would be thrilled to receive any of them. I can get Bonne Maman jam at my grocery store here, though, so that wouldn’t be as thrilling. My favorite souvenirs from France were from the flea market. I love cool, old things that a French person used. I have a big skeleton key that looks almost heart-shaped, and I imagine it unlocks a chateau door somewhere… 🙂 The canele mold is beautiful. I might get myself one of those! I wish I had some macarons right now…
Thanks! That’s cool that you can find Bonne Maman at home. They have a bunch of great flavors. Yes, the flea markets are great. I love all the ceramics and little knickknacks. I thought of you last night when I bought some macarons for my dad who is here visiting. Have a great day!
Hi Diane! Thanks for thinking of me when you bought the macarons! It made me smile to think of someone in France thinking of me in Chicago. 🙂 Have a great time with your dad!
Thank you! We’re covered in gray paint but things are coming along. Hope you found some macarons in Chicago
I love buying jewelry in France. I bought these amazing earrings that every time I wear them I get compliments on. The best part is when people ask where I got them I say, Paris. :o) I also love buying wine/champagne too. People LOVE getting those items from France. Cheese is good too. I found a company that ships directly (since customs might be tricky) and I love that Nuxe brand – I still order it all the time. Thank god for the internet.
OH yes, jewelry is great and will get a lot of use. My mom got a necklace in Paris that she always gets compliments on — so many great finds. What’s the cheese company?
I love the little Paris motif egg cups from Monoprox.
I will keep an eye out for them! Another useful souvenir. So many great things at Monoprix!
When I lived in French I always went with giving people the chestnut jam from Bonne Maman, different and delicious. But a French pharmacy find is such an awesome idea!
What a great list Diane! You did remind though of the dreadful souvenirs we brought back from our very first trip from France – hopefully I’ve got a lot better at souvenir buying since then. Valrhona chocolate is always a popular one with my friends and family – mainly because it can be hard to find in Australia. Hard to source teas also seems well received. Having said all that, I will definitely be checking out the egg cups Ladicate mentioned!
i love buying souvenirs for family and friends, sadly though it’s rarely reciprocated, but mind you i do travel an awful lot more than anyone else i know. We have Laduree in Dubai and I love popping in to treat myself.