What To Buy In Paris

1. Perfume

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Some of the most exquisite fragrances originate from Paris making it a no-brainer to buy a bottle of perfume while here. The streets are littered with perfume stores, each one packed with bottles of enchanting fragrances. Stroll through Paris and explore stores like Ex Nihilo, Fragonard Boutique, and Guerlain among many others. These stores have a long history of creating unique and bespoke perfumes, selling brands like Eau d’Hadrien, and Tenue de Soiree. If you like, you can also buy a pack of scented candles to give your home an alluring aroma. These also make for excellent gifts.

Paris perfumes

Address: 352, RUE SAINT-HONORÉ 75001 PARIS

Website: Ex Nihilo

2. Antiques

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Leave Paris with a piece of French history by spending money on some exquisite antiques. Paris played a pivotal role in the history of France and it’s no wonder the city is host to several antique shops where you can buy valuable period pieces. Make a day of it, hopping from one antique shop to another and learning the stories behind the different pieces. The most popular antique shops are Carre Rive Gauche and Louvre des Antiquaires. Here, you can buy ancient works of art, old toys, or even vintage notebooks. If you’re strapped for cash, try exploring the street flea-markets on weekends where you’ll find vendors selling affordable trinkets, furniture or art pieces.

Antiques

Address: 25 rue de Beaune 75007 Paris

Website: Carre Rive Gauche

3. An item from bouquinistes

Mainly found along the banks of the Seine, the bouquinistes are sellers of vintage books. Their businesses are made up of stalls which line up, one next to the other, and are filled with books of different genres. If you love reading, then the bouquinistes will enthrall you. Their history dates back to the 1500s and the business has stood the test of time and modernity to remain relevant in the Parisian culture. Today, you’ll find more than just books in their stalls making them a good option for those looking for souvenirs to take back home.

Bouquinistes

Address: Bords de Seine - du Pont Marie au quai Voltaire 75004 Paris

Website: Bouquinistes

4. Parisian chocolate

Paris is famed for being a center of culinary excellence and this extends to their chocolatiers. Littered around the city are chocolate shops, heavenly spots where decadent cacao treats abound. Your family back home will beg you to return with some chocolate and your friends will love you for introducing them to these sumptuous creations. For some of the best, visit Debauve & Gallais which has been in operation since the 1800s, so they know what they’re doing. You can also drop by Maison Pralus, a chocolate shop whose star product is the large bar known as barre infernale. These are just a small fraction of the numerous chocolate shops where you’ll end up spending most of your time shopping.

Chocolate

Address: 30 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris

Website: Debauve & Gallais

5. Parisian tea

It’s not just the English who love tea, their French neighbors also know a thing or two about a good cup of tea. And buying a pack of their tea collections will make for a wonderful gift for your loved ones back home. Tea shops in Paris boast quality teas with different flavors that are both unique and enticing. The main tea shop is Mariage Freres and here, they not only sell tea and teapots but they’ll also initiate you to the fundamentals of tea at an additional fee. This is certainly worth the experience.

Parisian tea

Address: Le Marais, 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg, Paris 4e

Website: Le Marais

6. Buly soap

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Paris’ two-century-old beauty boutique known as Buly 1803 is an exemplar of this city’s love for the finer things in life. This boutique was a trendsetter in the beauty industry, earning the reputation of producing some of the best cosmetics in France. However, the company lost traction before being rebooted to what it is today. One of their most popular products is the Buly soap, and just like the company’s other products, the soap is made of only natural ingredients. Pay them a visit at their lovely boutique and buy the soap as well as their wide selection of alcohol-free perfumes among other wonderful products.

Buly Soap

Address: 6 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France

Website: Buly 1803

7. Macarons from Pierre Hermé or Laduree

These sumptuous treats are a quintessential French snack and you’re most likely going to indulge them during your visit to Paris. It’s a well-known fact that Paris has the original macarons that have a distinctly unique taste. Buying these treats to take back home would, therefore, be a wise choice. And there’s no better place to get the perfect macarons than at Pierre Hermé or Laduree. From the raspberry flavored to the milk chocolate macarons to even the heavenly lemon macarons, there are more than enough choices that you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options.

Laduree

Address: 13 Rue Lincoln, 75008 Paris

Website: Laduree

Pierre Hermé

Address: 72 rue de Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

Website: Pierre Hermé

8. Eiffel Tower miniature

Paris’ iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, attracts millions of visitors each year. If you’re in the French capital, you’ll certainly want to go marvel at this stunning architectural masterpiece. You can still carry a memento of your visit by buying a miniature Eiffel Tower as a souvenir for yourself or a gift for a loved one. You’ll find various iterations of this, some made of a cheap metal and others made of bronze. Depending on the size, they might cost as low as USD 2 (1.5 Euros). At this price, you can buy one for everyone back home.

Miniature Eiffel Tower

Website: Eiffel Tower figurines

9. A painting from Place du Tertre

As you stroll through the streets of Paris, you might find yourself in Place du Tertre, a square in the city’s Montmartre quarter. Place du Tertre is littered with restaurants and stores but the main reason it draws crowds is that of the artists who set up their canvases here and sell their paintings or even paint portraits of willing tourists. This square has an artistic pedigree with known names like Van Gogh and Picasso having lived in the area. Earn bragging rights by going back home with painting from this historic square. You could also surprise a loved one with their portrait, artistically created at Place du Tertre.

Place du Tertre

Address: 75018 Paris, France

Website: Place du Tertre

An enchanting city

Paris is certainly an enchanting city where love abounds, and culture thrives. Your experience here is one you ought to immortalize by buying several souvenirs that will constantly remind you of the fascinating French capital. Thankfully, with our list above, you’ll be able to make the right choice on what to buy.