Last Updated on eighth March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Planning a visit to France and questioning what to deliver house out of your journey as a souvenir? We have you ever coated. In this information, I’ll be overlaying the finest souvenirs from France, together with French reward concepts you possibly can deliver again in your family members.
The phrase ‘souvenir’ comes from Latin through French from the French phrase ‘to remember’. As such, it ought to come as no shock that France is actually a rustic the place you possibly can decide up some pretty mementos.
If you’re planning a visit to France you then’ve made an ideal selection. Whether you’re hitting the snow-covered slopes within the winter, indulging in Christmas market meals within the Alsace, strolling by charming cities in Provence or trying out the intense lights of Paris, you’re certain to have a trip you’ll keep in mind eternally.
There’s an ideal business of Made in France merchandise in France, which is able to both be designated by a bit label stating ‘Made in France’ or ‘Fabriqué en France,’ thus guaranteeing that you just’re buying an authentically made French product.
Food and drink souvenirs from France
Baguette
It could look like a little bit of a bizarre factor to deliver again as a memento, however French baguette is exclusive the world over for its mild style and easy deliciousness. As baguettes are finest eaten on the day you buy them, you should 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 a bit French apéro and douse them in a bit water earlier than sticking them within the oven for 5 to 10 minutes (test 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 deliver 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 recognized for its cheeses. As a outcome, bringing again a couple of varieties as souvenirs is a superb concept if you happen to’re in a position to (test your nation’s import rules). Popular cheeses embody Camembert, Brie, Roquefort, and Comté.
French Chocolate
France has a protracted and wealthy custom of chocolate-making. Throughout the nation, you’ll find many artisanal chocolate retailers, although the preferred cities to purchase sweets in embody Bordeaux, Biarritz, and Bayonne, in addition to Paris.
A tasty option to keep in mind your journey or alternatively deliver house as a present (in the event that they make it to the supposed recipient with out being eaten beforehand) is to deliver again a field of artisanal sweets.
French Macarons
One of the preferred souvenirs is the eternally iconic and engaging macaron. The finest promoting cookie in France is available in a wide range of flavours, together with vanilla, pistachio, and chocolate. You should purchase 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 a protracted custom of tea-making that really rivals that of England, which lies simply throughout the Channel Tunnel. Some of the preferred French tea manufacturers embody Mariages Frères and Kusmi tea.
French Wine
France is likely one of the finest international locations on this planet for glorious wines, and bringing again a bottle or two as a memento is a good way to expertise the nation’s wine tradition even after your journey has ended.
As properly as Champagne (the glowing wine, usually white, can solely be known as as such if it comes from the area), different common 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 (generally known 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 deliver house and use in your cooking or salad dressings properly after you’ve left France. Curious to study extra? Here’s all the pieces you’ll want to find out about mustard in Dijon.
Miscellaneous souvenirs from France
Antiques
Going to a brocante is undoubtedly one of the 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 every kind of treasures to be discovered which might simply make for an ideal memento out of your journey.
Eiffel Tower Souvenirs
The Eiffel Tower is likely one of the most iconic landmarks in France and is so well-known that it has since develop into emblematic of Paris. As you possibly can 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 are truly made in France!
Postcards
One of my favorite low-cost methods to deliver 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 possibly can usually decide up 100 yr previous postcards for only a few euros!
French Perfume
France is house to a lot of well-known fragrance manufacturers, a lot of which you’ll probably 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 keep in mind your journey each time you prepare for a particular occasion. If you’re in search of a particular expertise, then you possibly can even attend a workshop the place you create your personal signature scent.
French Fashion
France can also be recognized for its high-end style manufacturers and, certainly, the time period ‘haute couture’ come from the nation. Some of probably the most well-known luxurious manufacturers to originate from France embody Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent.
There are additionally a lot of excessive finish excessive road retailers comparable to Zadig and Voltaire, Maje, Sézane, Sandro, Maje, and Ba&sh. If you’re in search of some good offers, then you possibly can head to an outlet shopping center near Paris generally known as La Vallée Village.
French Art
France is house to among the most well-known artwork museums on this planet, together with the Louvre (the biggest museum on this planet), Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.
It’s additionally the place many well-known artists spent a lot of their years and one of the common day journeys from Paris is to Giverny, Monet’s former house turned museum (and the place you possibly can see the famed waterlilies).
All of those museums usually have their very own reward 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 recognized for its high-quality cleaning soap. Savon de Marseille and Roger & Gallet are among the greatest mass-produced manufacturers, although there are additionally smaller manufacturers which make extra artisanal varieties.
I like gifting my family and friends bars of gorgeous smelling soaps (comparable to lavender- generally known as lavande in French and vervain- generally known as verveine) that i’ve discovered within the lavender markets of Provence.
Lavender-themed merchandise
Each summer season I try to spend per week in Provence because it’s simple to succeed in from Paris and presents guests a plethora of enjoyable actions. From strolling by medieval cities to frolicking in lavender fields, that is the final word chill meets historic vacation vacation spot.
Heading to the markets is a sure-fire option to discover stunning French souvenirs comparable 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 a bit 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 photographs with it. The most traditional color is pink, although berets are available every kind 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 numerous spots across the nation. Some of the ;ore common French areas which product pottery embody Provence and Brittany. If you’re headed to Provence, then top-of-the-line 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 now we have so many at house that my French husband was gifted by numerous members of the family!
Tablecloths typically that includes conventional designs like stripes, florals, or particular monuments and landmarks. If you again a set of French desk linens, you possibly can assure that you just’ll add some French aptitude to your eating desk and keep 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 outcome, if you happen to’re in search of a foodie themed memento however don’t need to deliver again any contemporary meals, deliver again a cookbook that includes traditional French recipes.
French Language Learning Materials
If you’re inquisitive about studying French, contemplate bringing again a French language studying guide and even go and purchase some youngsters’s books which can have a decrease stage of French that can 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 a good way low-cost to embellish your private home and keep in mind your journey.
Enjoyed studying about the most effective souvenirs from France? Pin this text now, learn it once more later:
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 subsequent sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She at the moment splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.