It is impossible to return from France without gifts. At every step there are things that you want to take with you. The French capital, like no other city, disposes to shopping, which can be successfully combined with a trip to the main attractions. In order not to get lost in a huge variety of goods and shops, you still need to make a list at home what to bring from Paris without fail.
Paris wins hearts not only with its appearance, history and romantic mood, which literally is in the air, but also with an incredible variety of goods. It is important to know some of the peculiarities of shopping here:
- Shopping in Paris in department stores and boutiques is best done during the week, as most of them will be closed on Sunday.
- Flea and general markets can be scheduled for Sunday. Some of them also work on Mondays.
- In winter, it is more pleasant to make purchases in closed passages, where shopping trips can be combined with relaxing in cafes, tea parlors and coffee shops.
On weekdays, shops are open from 10.00 to 19-20.00. The working day is shorter on Saturday than on other days.
Sunday is usually a day off, many are closed on Mondays. In provincial shops there is a lunch break from 12.00 to 14.00. Markets are open from 8.00 to 01.00.
Bargaining is not accepted in Paris. But there are many places where you can find the reception "1 + 1 = 3". That is, buying two things, you get the third as a gift.
They can make a small discount only if you modestly say that you have no more money, but this trick works only in markets and in small shops.
Choosing gifts and souvenirs
There will be no problems with what to buy in Paris for a tourist. The main thing is that there is enough space in the suitcase and money. It's also important not to turn shopping into a shopping run. Indulge in leisurely strolls with window shopping, coffee breaks and photo shoots. This is the only way to feel like a real French for a short while.
So, we make a list of must-have purchases.
Drinks and delicacies
You don't have to be a gourmet to appreciate the taste of amazing French wine or the delicate taste of cheese. But first things first:
- Cheese. Today, France produces over 500 varieties of this product, each of which has its own history, shape, aroma and production technology. You can buy cheese in any supermarket or grocery store, but it is better to visit a specialized store, where they will recommend wine and nuts to your chosen variety (this is how cheese is served in France). Check out the types of cheese like Camembert, Roquefort, Cantal, Brebis Basque and le chevre.
- Alcoholic drinks - wine, cognac, champagne. It is these drinks that France is famous for. Which wine to bring from Paris depends on personal preference. As an aperitif, you can buy "Floca de Gascony" or "Cabernet Sauvignon". Connoisseurs of white wines should definitely bring a bottle from the Chateau Monbaziyak collection. A good souvenir would be pastis - an analogue of Greek vodka, or plum schnapps. Buy alcohol only in specialized stores and only in bottles with a concave bottom. And all this is cheaper in Paris than in Russia.
- Foie gras (foie gras) - the gastronomic heritage of the French nation. Today it is a symbol of luxury and wealth. A jar of duck or goose liver with a creamy taste will be a great gift for those you want to surprise.
- Desserts - chocolate, macarons (nutty flavored airy cookies). Making sweets in France has been elevated to the rank of art. It is here that one of the most delicious varieties of dark chocolate is produced. Famous chocolates Patrick Roger Chocolatier, Michel Cluizel, La Maison du Chocolat are must-see. Parisian sweets can be a great gift for a child. To this end, head to Pierre Herme or Cafe Laduree. It is here that the most delicious macaroons in the city are sold.
Other products as a souvenir are suitable:
- caramelized chestnuts, Rillettes - very similar to pate, but coarser;
- confiture of lemon, tangerine, orange (reminiscent of jam, which is prepared with zest, which allows you to combine sweet and bitter tastes);
- cassoulet - a thick stew made from white beans and chunks of meat;
- Provencal herbs.
Clothing
Paris is a trendsetter and a place of concentration of brand boutiques of clothing, footwear, accessories, ranging from luxury Christian Louboutin, Hermes and Louis Vuitton to a cheap mass market.
The French are very attentive to accessories, and therefore be sure to buy a scarf, tie, handbag, beret.
For those who love to sew, fabric stores may come in handy. You can find them in Montmartre.
French underwear is considered the standard of femininity. French designers, according to many experts, are one step ahead of other couturiers in this matter. Well-known brands include Florange, Chantelle, Passionata.
Cosmetics and perfumery
You can start with home fragrances. Here you will find a huge selection of aroma products, from Marseille soap to perfumed aroma diffusers (sticks in a glass container with liquid). Mecca for lovers of such goods is one of the floors of the Bazar Hotel de Ville store.
Perfumes will be cheaper at a duty-free store, but these are only mass-produced products. Niche brands will be expensive in any store.
Most of the perfumery boutiques are concentrated on Boulevard Saint-Germain. At Le Labo you can create your own unique fragrance.
The perfumes, which are produced in the house-museum of perfumery Fragonard, are famous for their special originality and quality. Refined in them is not only the aroma, but also the bottle. Perfume in the form of the Eiffel Tower will be a great gift for a loved one.
On the Champs Elysees, you need to visit the Guerlain brand store: in addition to new products, limited and vintage editions are presented here.
It will be very difficult to pass by cosmetics too. But it is recommended to buy it in pharmacies. The brands COPAR, Darphin, Decleor, La Roche-Posay, Garancia and others deserve attention.
Gifts from Disneyland
If you do not know what to bring children from Paris, go to the shops that sell Disneyland products. You will find the same prices in all retail outlets of the network. Therefore, if on the way you came across a company store, but the prices seemed a little high, it makes no sense to look for something cheaper.
The range of products is very large:
- toys embodying cartoon characters;
- branded clothing;
- magnets, cups and plates depicting Disney stories.
All Disneyland souvenirs are of good quality and are branded with the logo of the famous film studio.
What to bring souvenirs
A separate place in the suitcase will have to be allocated for souvenirs that will remind you of the French capital. You can buy souvenirs in shopping centers and special shops, which are literally strewn with all tourist routes in the city.
The main thing is that everything purchased is with the image of one of the symbols of France - the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral:
- lighters;
- caps;
- t-shirts;
- plates;
- key rings;
- mugs and stuff.
It is better to buy all this away from the main attractions.
Products for adults will become a spicy gift. For example, a condom with the inscription I love Paris or dice depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Football fans will be pleased to receive a present with the symbols of the famous French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Check out second-hand bookstores for French cookbooks, postcards, fashion history and museum albums, rare editions of French authors and other printed materials.
The best place for those who like to read is the Seine Embankment: prices for second-hand books here start at 3 euros.
What else to bring from Paris
Lovers of beautiful tableware will be interested in Limoges porcelain, which is distinguished by its transparency and special whiteness, sophistication and sophistication. You can also recognize it by its bright pastoral embossing.
You can buy sets and individual items at the Porcelaine Francaise de Limoges store located on Rue de Troyon. Here you can also buy caskets, figurines and porcelain brooches.
You can also bring from France knives of famous French brands Opinel and Laguiole.
On the Place de Tartre, in Montmartre, you can pose for an artist who will draw a cartoon. If this kind of art is not to your liking, head to the art gallery in Saint-Germain or stroll along the Seine River. Here you will be offered paintings of Parisian landscapes, posters and postcards drawn by local artists.
In the list of what souvenirs to bring from Paris, include everything that your friends will like (it is better to ask about this at home):
- vinyl records;
- cufflinks;
- mirrors;
- vintage toys and more.
You can buy all this at the flea markets of the French capital.
Those who go to Paris run the risk of becoming shopaholics. All the fault is caused by the alluring halls of shopping centers, which are filled with jewelry, fashionable clothes, stylish shoes, enchanting aromas, glitter, gloss and luxury.
Having decided on the list of gifts, it will not be superfluous to draw up a route for yourself where you can buy everything that is included in the list in Paris. To begin with, a short tour of the districts:
- The Champs Elysees is not just one of the outstanding landmarks of the French capital, but also a favorite shopping destination for Parisians and visitors alike. This area begins at Place de la Concorde and stretches right up to the Arc de Triomphe. Here are the boutiques of Chanel, Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and others. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything in this place, it’s still worth looking into this part of the city.
- Rue de Rivoli - also starts at the Place de la Concorde and stretches to the Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. From the square to the Louvre, there are souvenir shops, followed by chain stores of world brands Zara, H&M, Gap and many others.
- Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore - Here you will find fashionable French couturiers and mid-range boutiques. Be sure to check out the Colette store, which has a collection of fashion designers. There are many streets that branch off from Rue Saint-Honoré, where you can also find a lot of interesting things.
- Montmartre is a gathering place for those who want to plunge into creative Paris. There are souvenir shops, fabrics and designer clothes shops, second-hand bookstores, and a special atmosphere.
- Quarters Sentier and Mare - in this part of the city you can buy clothes at manufacturer's prices or buy in bulk.
If you like to walk around shopping centers, then it is better to choose gifts from Paris in the following places:
- "Galeries Lafayette" - more like a palace with stained glass windows and a glass dome, which is literally shrouded in illumination, gold and marble. The trading area is about 30 thousand square meters. They are home to world-famous stores (Trussardi, Armani, Dior and others), wine supermarkets, food courts, restaurants, gourmet shops. From the observation deck, a beautiful view of Montmartre opens from here. The gallery is considered one of the most expensive shopping spots in Paris.
- Printemps Haussmann is located literally one block from Galeries Lafayette. The building of the department store can be considered a work of art thanks to its mirrored dome and luxurious decoration. Consists of three galleries - for women, for men, beauty and home. The higher the floor, the more expensive the products presented on it.
- Les Quatre Temps is one of the largest shopping centers in Europe, with about 200 stores and 43 restaurants.
- The Carrousel du Louvre is located underground - directly under the glass pyramid in front of the museum. This shopping center is oriented more towards tourists, so there are many souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.
There are also outlets in Paris. For example, Bercy Village, located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Once the largest wine market in the country worked here, and therefore the shops settled right in the wine warehouses, which gives the shopping a certain atmosphere. Here you can find not only stock stores, but also unique items from French designers.
Another boutique village is La Vallee. Remnants of past collections of famous brands are brought here at very attractive prices.
Local markets will help you to plunge into the atmosphere of the city:
- Creacion Pari Bastille is a large art market where you can buy works from over 200 artisans.
- Saint-Ouen et Paris - here you can find products from different countries, eras and styles. Consists of 15 small markets where you can find goods ranging from clothing to antiques.
- Market Puces de la portes Vanves - in this place you can buy interior items, fabrics, souvenirs, watches, jewelry.
- L'Ile O Image - a large market for old photographs, posters, prints.
We organize a trip
There are two ways to organize your shopping trip in Paris:
- Through an intermediary. Such tours usually have a strictly compiled itinerary with a stop at the main retail outlets and do not involve visits to attractions. The plus is that the firm takes over all organizational routes. Minus - you will hardly be able to deviate from the route.
- On one's own. Start by making a shopping list and places to visit in order to find and purchase them. Next, you need to order tickets and a hotel, then apply for a visa at the French consulate in your home country.
From documents for a visa you will need:
- Statement.
- Photo.
- Financial guarantees.
- Accommodation and round trip ticket reservations.
- Insurance.
- Foreign passport and its copy.
For a trip to France for shopping, a Schengen tourist visa will be sufficient.
A Few Tips
Knowing some of the features of Parisian shopping will save you time and money:
- A trip in January and February is the best time to shop and attend fashion shows. This month you can find significant discounts on all product groups and save on hotel stays;
- July is also famous for big discounts, but the cost of a hotel room will already be much higher.
- Other months are not the best time to shop.
In general, the sales schedule looks like this:
- Winter starts on the second Tuesday of January and lasts 5 weeks.
- Summer starts on the second Tuesday in June and also ends 5 weeks later.
Some chains arrange sales in the off-season, which can be found on the websites of the companies.
When updating your wardrobe, you need to remember about the European size grid, which differs from the usual for residents of the CIS, and also about the fact that you need to take into account the coverage of the calf for high boots in order to choose the right model.
Outcomes
The list of wishes of tourists today includes not only seeing Paris, but also bringing gifts from there that will remind of a French vacation. You can bring a bottle of wine or cognac, sweets, souvenirs with Parisian symbols, a rare book or a record. Lovers of fashionable clothes will find it difficult to resist the bright showcases of branded boutiques of clothing, accessories and shoes.
