8 Unique French Gift and Souvenir Shops in Paris
The French don’t cut corners when it comes to quality. Whether it be gastronomy, architecture, or fashion, they put love and care into the entire process, from the raw materials to the gorgeous end result. This is why France is known for pleasure. Average is just not a part of their vocabulary.
The truth is…we’ve been in Paris for years and we’re still not immune to its charms.
If you leave Paris without bringing home a traditional gift, you must either be a minimalist or you’ve had your eyes closed the whole time. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic. But seriously, there is so much beauty in this city, it’s hard not to bring a piece of it back with you.
Paris is a very big city and it can be overwhelming. Whether you’re here over the holidays or during the summer, we want to act as your compass. This way you can feel relaxed as you shop for gifts and ultimately focus on just living in the present moment with your beautiful family. That’s the most important thing to us, anyways.
If you find yourself near the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre…
you may end up accosted by swarms of vendors holding trinkets and key chains with Parisian motifs. These plastic goodies are usually quite cheap, and besides, no one wants to remember their trip by something they were pushed into buying. I've discovered that if you type "souvenir stores" into Google, you'll end up with a list of super touristy stores selling the same miniature eiffel tower and Paris je t'aime T-shirts. Don't waste your time at these places. Visiting Paris is a special occasion, so you should go home with some good quality memorabilia.
The beauty of life is that we only get to experience things once. After that, we can relive moments over and over through memories. Sometimes, the best way to keep our memories strong and vibrant is to have a visual prompt that we can return to time and again. We believe in physical memories, period. Photographs are one of the best ways to capture the joy of time spent together. If you’re interested in booking a photographer for your family trip to Paris, we would love to create a stunning visual memory of your travels. You can find us HERE.
Best Paris Souvenir Idea: Book a Photo Shoot With Us in Paris and Commission a Piece of Artwork
40in Commissioned Portrait of A Couple from Our Fine Art Collection
In addition to family portraits, we also love high quality souvenirs that let us take a piece of Paris back home. We wanted to focus on non-touristy places where you can find artisan crafts and traditional items that showcase the beauty of French life and the layers of rich history in the city of light.
These places are off the beaten track and have some of the best Paris souvenirs.
So, we’ve put together a list of our absolute favorite specialty shops for authentic gifts and souvenirs. If you’re looking for thoughtful and personal gifts for your friends and family members, you will definitely find them at one or more of these places. In fact, you’ll probably also fall in love with everything you see and end up taking home something special for yourself!
If Paris could be packaged up and tucked into your pocket, this is where you would find it. And you'll definitely encounter French people shopping at these spots too!
Here are some of the best souvenir shops in Paris:
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Voted best portrait photographer in Paris, we are not JUST the favorite paris photographers for families, couples, solo portraits, and children, more importantly we are the those ones that create art in the city of lights.
You might have heard about us from our amazing clients like Tidy Dad, Everyday Parisian, Paris Perfected, Wit + Whimsy, Amanda Kloots, Anna Kloots, HIP Paris, Image Magazine, NBC, your favorite travel agent, or from a friend! Or maybe you're just here because google led you, in any case, welcome!!
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2. Marin Montagut
Okay, this one is a personal favorite.
This specialty shop is on the left bank and right next door to the Jardin du Luxembourg, which you’ll see honored in their gorgeous illustrations. We may be a little biased, since we adore this location for lush outdoor family photo sessions, but hey, we’re not the only ones! There’s something so incredibly special about the sprawling grounds adorned with graceful statues, rows of picturesque trees, the Medici fountain, and a pond full of ducks and miniature sailboats. Just see for yourself.
Marin Montagut himself is a porcelain designer. Each of his pieces celebrate French style and living. He hand-makes the most gorgeous tableware out of enameled porcelain, and you’re practically guaranteed to find an element of your trip in at least one of his designs.
He also has an entire selection of hand painted, mouth-blown glassware. All of the objects he designs are made in his Parisian studios.
You’ll find everything you could dream of…like silk scarves, throw pillows, wall art, stationary, watercolor palettes, notebooks, and deliciously scented candles. Yes, it’s basically paradise disguised as a home decor shop!
We’re in love with this spot and you probably won’t find it on any other gift shop lists. It also happens to be very close to our studio, so you can knock out two birds with one stone by gift shopping before or after your photo session. This is also really convenient if you have an hour or two to spare between your photo session and your viewing. Pop by a boulangerie for some coffee and a croissant and then peruse the shelves at Marin Montagut. Who said killing time had to be unpleasant? Enjoy yourself! That’s why you’re here after all.
You can check out his website here: https://en.marinmontagut.com/
3. L’appartement français
Now for a bit of history…
In the 19th century, the fashion industry in France introduced haute couture which basically brought good taste and ready-to-wear fashion together. Fashion production skyrocketed all around France to meet the demands of the public. Paris quickly became the global fashion capital, with famous brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, and Louboutin. The city has numerous fashion districts full of boutiques. One of the traditional fashion quarters in Paris is Le Marais, which brings us to L’appartement français…
Of course you’ll find this hip boutique in Le Marais, one of the trendiest neighborhoods on the right bank of the city of lights. If you’re into fashion and love the idea of bringing Paris into your wardrobe, this shop is a no-brainer. L’appartement francais is a concept store with styles for men and women. The best part is that everything is made in France, even their interesting vintage collection.
They also have a section on their website for les idées cadeaux (gift ideas), including jewelry, wallets, cologne, socks, and much more. They have beautiful styles and fabrics if you’re into casual, yet nice looks.
Who knows, you might even find the perfect outfit for your portrait session! Head here for their site: https://www.lappartementfrancais.fr/content/10-boutique-made-in-France-paris
If you need any advice on what to wear for your shoot, check out our outfit blog here: https://www.katiedonnellyphotography.com/blog/what-to-wear-for-a-paris-photo-shoot-the-ultimate-guide
4. L’ecritoire
If you’re a lover of writing or have any writer friends, go no further than L’ecritoire. This place encapsulates la vie bohème, Moulin Rouge, Midnight in Paris…the list goes on. This shop will probably make you dream of renting an attic apartment in Paris and writing poetry by candlelight.
They have a collection of wax seal stamps made in France that are so beautiful. If you’ve been wanting to write letters and need a little extra incentive to get started, these wax seals are it! You will want a penpal ASAP. These are so perfect for thank you cards, invitations, love letters…you name it. There are so many incredible designs to choose from, you’ll likely have trouble deciding. They also carry calligraphy pens, fountain pens, inkwells with engraved pewter lids, and Limoges porcelain sets.
We are big fans of their notebook options for both drawing and writing. They have soft leather travel notebooks with the Eiffel Tower embossed on the cover. They’re gorgeous and tasteful and would make such a perfect diary to write down memories from your trip to Paris. If writing is not your cup of tea, but you know an avid journaler, a notebook would make a great gift that would get a lot of use. Honestly, cannot recommend this shop enough.
This shop is in Le Marais, actually just a stone’s throw away from L’appartement français. Both are very close to the Centre Pompidou museum.
If you want to check out their online shop, click here: https://www.lecritoireparis.com/en/2-l-e-shop
Solo Photo Shoot in Paris, Paris photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
Solo Photo Shoot in Paris, Paris photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
5. L’objet qui parle
If you’re looking for a place with a bit more character than your average store, be sure to check out L’objet qui parle.
Located in Montmartre, this little cabinet of curiosities will make you feel like you're stepping back in time. The flea markets in Paris are honestly next level. The amazing thing about this shop is that it’s like a treasure chest, with a vast collection of one-of-a-kind art pieces by local artists, artifacts, and vintage household items. The shop is taller than it is wide and tucked into the neighborhood in true Montmartre fashion!
The owner, Guillaume Bernard, loves objects that either serve a purpose or have already served a purpose. He finds beauty in brilliant pieces as well as quotidian items and he’s passionate about sharing them with others. If you like to collect unique objects and bring them back to life, this is the place for you! Be sure to talk to the owner, because he is very kind.
This is the best place even to just browse. Every visit is an adventure because you never know what you’ll find!
You can check our their website here: https://lobjetquiparle.fr/presentation
6. Jean Paul Hévin Chocolatier
Come on, chocolate is always a good idea. We’re convinced you can’t go wrong with bringing back chocolate for your friends and family members, especially high quality chocolate made by a famous Parisian chocolatier. And believe us, this place will tickle your taste buds.
The good news is that there are several locations around Paris, including near the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens, and in Le Marais. We can’t think of a better way to transport the decadence of Paris than in a bar of rich, French chocolate.
Jean Paul Hévin has mastered the art of chocolate. His shop offers more than thirty varieties of cocoa, so you can take your time and choose what appeals to your palate or what might be a good gift. If you’ve already purchased more souvenirs than you can fit into your luggage, the bonus is that chocolate bars take virtually no space!
Good luck not eating them before you arrive back home.
You can check out their website here: https://www.jeanpaulhevin.com/en/maisonhevin
7. La Cave du Sénat
If you can afford to fit a larger souvenir in your luggage, this wine cellar is an excellent place to pick up a bottle or two. It's no riddle that the best pairing with French cuisine is...French wine. Equipped with a wide variety of wine, champagne, and spirits, this spot is bound to have something worth adding to your home cellar or cracking open with friends. This is a great place to find gifts, regardless of your price range.
La Cave du Sénat is also close to Odéon, near our studio in the 6th arrondissement! The staff members are friendly and would be happy to advise you in choosing a wine and understanding more about the different varieties and regions around France. If you’re like us and you love soaking up culture, this can be a fun way to learn a bit more about wine culture in Paris and impress your friends with some new knowledge when you return. Pretty soon you’ll become the resident sommelier!
Honestly, there are few things better than sipping from a glass of French wine in the evening and reminiscing about the highlights of your trip. Santé !
Couple Portrait in Paris, Paris photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
8. L’Occitane en Provence
The French have used cosmetics since the Middle Ages, when it was considered a sign of wealth and aristocracy. Naturally, the country has gained quite a reputation for the high quality of its skincare products, which have been developed like a form of art since the 17th century..that's a pretty long time.
Nowadays, skincare routines have gained popularity around the world and it’s not uncommon for travelers to pick up all their favorite beauty products when they come to Paris so they can keep their shelves stocked for a while back at home. There’s just no competing with French skincare, soaps, perfumes, lotion, gel douche, etc. The south of France in particular is known for soap made with olive oil (savon de Marseille), which you can find in the French capital.
L’Occitane en Provence is a French brand of luxury cosmetics with locations all around Paris, which makes it so easy to find a store wherever you are! Here you can choose from all of the iconic French scents like lavender, almond, rose, orange blossom, and lemon verbena (verveine). You can easily find the perfect gift here, and they have reasonable prices!
Everything comes beautifully packaged with L’Occitane labels, ready to be gifted or simply unwrapped and used in your bathroom every day! The closest location to our studio is in the 6th arrondissement, near the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Here is the address: 93 Rue de Rennes, 75006 Paris, France.
We hope this gives you some ideas of specialty stores worth checking out in Paris before you leave! There are so many stores here, and honestly, they are not ALL the best bang for your buck. If you go to any of our recommended spots, you will end up giving the best souvenirs ever and your friends will be so excited. And, every gift will be unique to France. Just remember to have fun while you’re poking around Paris. Happy shopping!
