Last Updated on eighth March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Planning a visit to France and questioning what to convey house out of your journey as a memento? We have you ever coated. In this information, I’ll be masking the finest souvenirs from France, together with French present concepts you’ll be able to convey again to your family members.
The phrase ‘souvenir’ comes from Latin by way of French from the French phrase ‘to remember’. As such, it ought to come as no shock that France is definitely a rustic the place you’ll be able to choose up some pretty mementos.
If you’re planning a visit to France then you definately’ve made an important selection. Whether you’re hitting the snow-covered slopes within the winter, indulging in Christmas market meals within the Alsace, strolling by means of charming cities in Provence or testing the intense lights of Paris, you’re positive to have a trip you’ll bear in mind eternally.
There’s an important business of Made in France merchandise in France, which can both be designated by just a little label stating ‘Made in France’ or ‘Fabriqué en France,’ thus making certain that you simply’re buying an authentically made French product.
Food and drink souvenirs from France
Baguette
It might seem to be a little bit of a bizarre factor to convey again as a memento, however French baguette is exclusive the world over for its gentle style and easy deliciousness. As baguettes are finest eaten on the day you buy them, you can purchase them on the final day of your journey and stick them within the freezer as quickly as you get house.
I personally break my baguettes in half earlier than placing them within the freezer in order that I can bake them as I fancy. I then take my baguette out once I’m able to make just a little French apéro and douse them in just a little water earlier than sticking them within the oven for 5 to 10 minutes (examine the baguettes ceaselessly throughout cooking).
Balsamic vinegar
As a rustic that’s well-known for its wine manufacturing, it ought to come as no shock that Balsamic Vinegar is a superb memento to convey again out of your journey. If you go to the Provençal village of Roussillon, you’ll even discover a complete store devoted to Balsamic vinegar!
French Cheese
France is clearly identified for its cheeses. As a consequence, bringing again a couple of varieties as souvenirs is a superb thought when you’re in a position to (examine your nation’s import laws). Popular cheeses embody Camembert, Brie, Roquefort, and Comté.
French Chocolate
France has an extended and wealthy custom of chocolate-making. Throughout the nation, you will discover many artisanal chocolate retailers, although the most well-liked cities to purchase goodies in embody Bordeaux, Biarritz, and Bayonne, in addition to Paris.
A tasty option to bear in mind your journey or alternatively convey house as a present (in the event that they make it to the meant recipient with out being eaten beforehand) is to convey again a field of artisanal goodies.
French Macarons
One of the most well-liked souvenirs is the eternally iconic and attractive macaron. The finest promoting cookie in France is available in quite a lot of flavours, together with vanilla, pistachio, and chocolate. You should buy them from well-known patisseries like Ladurée or Pierre Hermé. If you’re in Paris, then try the finest macarons in Paris.
French Tea
France has an extended custom of tea-making that really rivals that of England, which lies simply throughout the Channel Tunnel. Some of the most well-liked French tea manufacturers embody Mariages Frères and Kusmi tea.
French Wine
France is among the finest international locations on the planet for glorious wines, and bringing again a bottle or two as a memento is an effective way to expertise the nation’s wine tradition even after your journey has ended.
As effectively as Champagne (the glowing wine, sometimes white, can solely be known as as such if it comes from the area), different widespread wine areas in France embody Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sancerre and the Loire Valley. Provence is most well-known for its rosé.
Mustard
France, and extra particularly Burgundy (referred to as Bourgogne in French) is well-known for its mustard manufacturing and so it ought to come as no shock you can simply purchase some mustard to convey house and use in your cooking or salad dressings effectively after you’ve left France. Curious to study extra? Here’s all the pieces you must learn about mustard in Dijon.
Miscellaneous souvenirs from France
Antiques
Going to a brocante is undoubtedly probably the most enjoyable issues to do in France as you by no means fairly know what you’ll discover subsequent. From classic wine glasses to vintage cutlery, there are all types of treasures to be discovered which may simply make for an important memento out of your journey.
Eiffel Tower Souvenirs
The Eiffel Tower is among the most iconic landmarks in France and is so well-known that it has since change into emblematic of Paris. As you’ll be able to think about, there are numerous souvenirs that are impressed by the enduring tower.
From keychains, miniature replicas, to T-shirts and magnets, there’s no scarcity of issues to select from. Just bear in mind that it may be exhausting to search out Eiffel Tower souvenirs which might be really made in France!
Postcards
One of my favorite low-cost methods to convey house travels is to buy a couple of postcards. While, after all, you should purchase fashionable postcards, my private favorite are classic finds. If you’re heading to Paris, then try one of many flea markets, the place you’ll be able to sometimes choose up 100 12 months outdated postcards for only a few euros!
French Perfume
France is house to various well-known fragrance manufacturers, a lot of which you’ll doubtless have heard of earlier than. Some of the extra luxurious fragrance manufacturers embody Chanel, Dior, and Guerlain.
Bringing again a bottle of French fragrance as a memento is a option to bear in mind your journey each time you prepare for a particular occasion. If you’re on the lookout for a particular expertise, then you’ll be able to even attend a workshop the place you create your personal signature scent.
French Fashion
France can also be identified for its high-end trend manufacturers and, certainly, the time period ‘haute couture’ come from the nation. Some of essentially the most well-known luxurious manufacturers to originate from France embody Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent.
There are additionally various excessive finish excessive avenue retailers akin to Zadig and Voltaire, Maje, Sézane, Sandro, Maje, and Ba&sh. If you’re on the lookout for some good offers, then you’ll be able to head to an outlet shopping center near Paris referred to as La Vallée Village.
French Art
France is house to a number of the most well-known artwork museums on the planet, together with the Louvre (the biggest museum on the planet), Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.
It’s additionally the place many well-known artists spent a lot of their years and probably the most widespread day journeys from Paris is to Giverny, Monet’s former house turned museum (and the place you’ll be able to see the famed waterlilies).
All of those museums sometimes have their very own present store, the place you should purchase some souvenirs out of your go to. Typically these boutiques sells issues like prints (together with from particular exhibitions), postcard, and books.
French Soap
France can also be identified for its high-quality cleaning soap. Savon de Marseille and Roger & Gallet are a number of the largest mass-produced manufacturers, although there are additionally smaller manufacturers which make extra artisanal varieties.
I really like gifting my family and friends bars of gorgeous smelling soaps (akin to lavender- referred to as lavande in French and vervain- referred to as verveine) that i’ve discovered within the lavender markets of Provence.
Lavender-themed merchandise
Each summer time I try to spend every week in Provence because it’s simple to achieve from Paris and affords guests a plethora of enjoyable actions. From strolling by means of medieval cities to frolicking in lavender fields, that is the last word chill meets historic vacation vacation spot.
Heading to the markets is a sure-fire option to discover stunning French souvenirs akin to lavender sachets (I purchased some to maintain in my underwear drawer to discourage moths), lavender candles, lavender cleaning soap, and even lavender flavoured honey!
A french beret
Yes, it’s just a little cliché, however it may be enjoyable to purchase a beret as a memento out of your time in France, particularly if you wish to take some images with it. The most basic color is purple, although berets are available in all types of colors, and I personally have a purple one.
French Pottery
France is thought for its stunning pottery, of which there are a number of varieties from varied spots across the nation. Some of the ;ore widespread French areas which product pottery embody Provence and Brittany. If you’re headed to Provence, then probably the greatest cities to purchase ceramics in is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
French Tablecloths, Tea towels and Napkins
France is fairly well-known for its vibrant and vibrant tablecloths and napkins and I swear we’ve so many at house that my French husband was gifted by varied members of the family!
Tablecloths usually that includes conventional designs like stripes, florals, or particular monuments and landmarks. If you again a set of French desk linens, you’ll be able to assure that you simply’ll add some French aptitude to your eating desk and bear in mind your journey each time you eat!
French Cookbooks
French delicacies is world-renowned, as are the variety of bookshops scattered throughout the nation. As a consequence, when you’re on the lookout for a foodie themed memento however don’t need to convey again any recent meals, convey again a cookbook that includes basic French recipes.
French Language Learning Materials
If you’re fascinated by studying French, take into account bringing again a French language studying guide and even go and purchase some kids’s books which could have a decrease stage of French that will probably be simpler to grasp when you’re practising.
French Posters and Prints
Highlighting all the pieces from classic journey advertisements to iconic artworks, France is thought for its iconic posters and prints. Bringing again a poster or print as a memento is an effective way low-cost to brighten your house and bear in mind your journey.
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Sophie Nadeau loves canine, books, journey, pizza, and historical past. A fan of all issues France associated, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the following sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She at the moment splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.