What to get / buy in Paris

French mustard.

Maybe you'll like it, but it was terrible experience for me :D

Some people like French pharmacies and drogueries for the interesting skin care you can get there. I am not necessarily a big skincare fan but I do like drogueries in Europe. I specifically like DIM pantyhose, and Nuxe body oil with a gold shimmer, but I don't know where you live - they might be available to you there. Vichy is another brand of skincare that I like, available in pharmacies. They have a nice scented body oil.

Also kitchenware shops - E. Dehillerin for instance. Very happy to spend hours poring over kitchenware!

Lavandula

How about genuine Laguiole knives (with the little bee on the handle) - but only if you are checking bags.

Only buy wine if you are checking a bag and have appropriate packing material to keep the bottle from being damaged. Cheese is iffy as depending on where you live, you may not be allowed to bring dairy products home with you (check to confirm regulations).

I bought a bunch of reusable shopping bags at Monoprix that had fun Paris designs on them (examples here: https://www.ebay.com/shop/monoprix-shopping-bag?_nkw=monoprix+shopping+bag). They were about 3 euro each I think. Grocery stores have plenty of fun options, but just be sure the items are allowable to your return country.

Here's what Les Frenchies have to say about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxeYg9rwmjQ&t=232s
If you're familiar, Les Frenchies' YouTube channel is a wealth of information about visiting Paris. And they are a charming, very "normal" middle-aged couple. I enjoy their videos.

Things I have brought back from my travels (France and elsewhere)......small serving dishes (e.g. decorative bowls for serving olives or nuts or cornichons with aperitifs), butter dishes, the large cup and saucer used for the morning coffee in homes, an olive wood butter spreader, small plates to serve pates or cheeses, dried cepe mushrooms, honey, confitures, pates, bags of a special coffee or tea, bags of lavender or herbes de Provence, a particular brand of pastis which we can't find here, a shawl, the occasional piece of jewelry. Of course some of these things need to go in a checked bag, which is fine for us. If you just do carry-on you will have to skip some of these. My mother-in-law always got a scarf, as she wore scarves often. (I have them all now.) I was once tasked by a friend to find her an umbrella that would look "Parisian". I found one at Galeries Lafayette. I have bought a cloth bread bag to keep my baguettes in, and large patterned napkin to use in a bread basket to cover the breads within. Tablecloths for my small kitchen table are used by me. They are not just touristy. They are patterns found in the homes of my husband's French family members, so not touristy, but authentic. Some things are popular with the locals AND tourists. Men do wear berets there, so buying one to take home may seem touristy, but they are authentic.
Have fun with your search/exploration!

we aren't shoppers but there are a few things, quite ordinary, that we can't get at home that we bring back from each trip. Bouquet Garnie bouillon cubes -- we like them as a base for soups and such. Little bouquet garnie bundles -- also great when boiling up the chicken carcass. Canned confit canard. I can get frozen confit legs in Chicago but they are not as good as the canned ones and you can make perfect confit canard in an airfryer -- crisps right up.

I also have bought many interesting Champagne glasses at the flea market (nor bargains there) and at vide grenier -- real bargains there.

I. love the butter but it is a hassle to travel with and we can buy both Bordier and Beillevaire in Chicago. One of the first things I do when arriving in an apartment in Paris is to stock up on Beillevaire butter.

I read last week in the French press that foreign tourists are now bringing back a lot of... butter.

Specifically, the high-quality variety, not the everyday kind. Check that it has the "AOP" label on the packaging (Protected designation of origin) which guarantees the French region of origin

One of these articles (in French) here:

https://www.marmiton.org/tendance/souvenir-de-voyage-ce-produit-du-rayon-frais-des-supermarches-obsede-les-touristes-etrangers-s4129247.html

I see FAs bringing lots of butter back on their runs -- they somehow were able to get through screening with the butter which normally would be considered a potential risk (too much like plastique)

janettravels44, I have started freezing my own version of bouquet garni cubes using up things like roasted garlic, caramelized onion, fresh herbs, etc., frozen in olive oil. I also freeze cubes of pesto, roasted pepper puree, etc. I have some small rigid plastic lidded trays with silicone bottoms. The cubes pop out easily, and I transfer them to ziplock bags. Nerdy, but they make me happy. All of the listed options make nice pizza bases.

What ever you do.. don’t forget the Foie gras d’oie. !!

French sunscreens from the pharmacies are wonderful and very reasonably priced. I particularly like the Laroche-Posay 50 which comes in a liquid and a creme.

Perhaps table linen. We bought a beautiful table runner for my mother-in-law from Le Jacquard Francais.

Tea towels or napkins made in France

“On my first trip to Paris in 1988, I bought a Louis Vuitton purse…”

My wife bought a Bottega Veneta bag.

On my first trip to Paris in 1988, I bought a Louis Vuitton purse, which I still have, along with the '88 LV French catalog, 38 years later! On my most recent trip to Paris two years ago, I bought something for my garden (not made in China) and a scarf.

There's only one traditional cutlery shop in Paris, Laguiole-en-Aubrac, and it's only a couple blocks from the Notre Dame. But it's not especially visited by tourists. I have kitchen knives and a very special pocket knife from there. These are hand made, each cutler having his own "tells" so you can know exactly who built your knife. A very special souvenir.
https://www.laguiole-en-aubrac.fr/en/stores/paris-ile-saint-louis/

While I love to shop France for food, most of this doesn't travel well. Yes, the butter is special, the pastries exceptional, the wines, well, the wines are not from Paris...but you'll find more than you ever imagined, at prices that make you wonder why you don't drink more.

One of my better buys is a really interesting book on WWII, specifically the OSS missions, written in both French and English.

You can find some very good deals in the second hand shops, but it helps to get away from the main tourist areas. I've got a nice Barbour jacket I picked up a couple weeks back for 40 euro. I have a friend who specifically looks for the higher end labels for women's clothing.

I seriously recommend a visit to a Carrefour Supermarket. Not the small stores that dot the city, but the WalMart sized ones where locals shop. You won't believe what you can find there, and the prices are "right".

I always get some sunscreen to bring home. European sunscreens, particularly from brands like La Roche-Posay, Avene, and Bioderma, are highly recommended because they contain advanced UV filters (such as Tinosorb, Mexoryl, and TriAsorB) not yet approved by the FDA in the USA. Key, superior-formulation products to buy include the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Fluid, Eucerin Oil Control Dry Touch Gel-Cream, and Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Super Fluid.

Check out the USDA APHIS website for prohibited/permitted food items: ag products

Butter is explicitly allowed, but bouillon is not.

We visited a duck farm in the Dordogne, and bought canned foie gras, confit, and other duck products. All canned. No problem.

I will say that when we did Customs in Dulles, the complete process was extremely superficial. No baggage was examined. In fact, we did not have the baggage when we did the customs. We brought nothing forbidden, but I wonder about the process.

Depends on your budget.
I’ve been there twice in the past year and I bring home cheese.
We are allowed to bring in up to 20 kgs of hard cheese to Canada, but butter is forbidden here.
Butter is allowed into the u s.
Go to a fromagerie or cremerie shop and talk to the staff.
They have had good “cheese training” to help you decide and are more than happy to let you taste some.
Then get them to vacuum pack it for travel.
I buy mine on my last day and keep it in the fridge in my room.
Declare it on arriving home.

I bring home Le Marsellaise shower gels.
They come in many fragrances and smell amazing!
MonoPrix have them, but I found them last time for half the price in a Normal store, which is like a discount store.

Shopping bags and totes that look French.

Also Embryolisse and Nuxe skincare products.
I agree that the LaRoche-Posay sunscreens are also amazing.
Pharmacies have trained staff to help you decide on products for your skin types.
I’ve found some good two for one deals at smaller pharmacies.

I’ve bought sweaters and scarves and unusual crafts such as earrings and brooches in street markets.

Chocolate is a good one, there are many specialty chocolate shops there as well as regular bars bought in supermarkets, which are far tastier than any found at home.
Supermarkets are a treasure trove for souvenirs in the food line.

I bring home Le Marseillais shower gels. They come in many fragrances
and smell amazing!

Just so you know, contrary to appearances, "Le Petit Marseillais" shower gels are an American brand owned by Johnson & Johnson.

You can get a wide assortment of cheeses at any Monoprix. They will vacuum pack your selection at no charge. La Grande Epicerie at the Bon Marché also has an extensive selection of cheeses, they charge a modest fee for vacuum packing. This is also where butter is purchased by many tourists. There is always a crowd around the butter counter.

Many of the spices such as Herbes de Provence or Fleur de sel are now widely available in the USA. No compelling need to carry them in your luggage.

For unique gift items, you might check here:

https://lebazarfrancais.com/

http://www.marinmontagut.com/

https://merci-merci.com/

https://buly1803.com/en

https://www.avantilamusica.com/

https://www.laparte-paris.com/bienvenue

Citypharma in the 6th or Pharmacie Monge in the 5th have amazing pricing on cosmetics. These are among the prized items sought out by tourists, at prices significantly below what they sell for elsewhere:

• La Roch Posé – anthelios uvmune 400, 50+
• Caudalie vino perfect cerum
• Avene Cicalfate+ crème
• A 313 retinol
• Bioderma Créaline makeup remover
• Embryolisse lait crème moisturizer
• Uriage 30 spf age lift day crème

Laguiole knives - the knives from Laguiole, those with the horn handles and the bee on the back side of the blade, were never trademarked. I have seen versions stamped "made in China" but there there are many other produces with various authenticity claims. The originals are still made in Laguiole, Calmels probably being the oldest producer. Calmels only sells from their boutique in Laguiole, from nowhere else. Another long time producer from Laguiole is Forge de Laguiole. You can visit their atelier in Laguiole, but they have a store in Paris at 29, rue Boissy d’Anglas in the 8th arrondissement, near Madeleine.

Items I have brought back at request of family:
From Fragonard, fragrant soap for granddaughter. I bought a bar for myself and loved how smooth & creamy it was.
Butter: vacuum sealed from shop for daughter-in-law.
Avène sunscreen (50 SPF) for myself that I use on my face. Creamy and fragrance free.
“Spice:” herbes de Provence…. Not sure if found in Paris, but I bought in Provence.
Hmmm. Not sure if any of my items match what you requested.

WOW!!! so many great suggestions that I never would have thought of ......Thank you

Absolutely get chocolate if you want.

Richart

Jacques Genin

The Maison du Chocolat chain.

And many others.

I bring home Le Marseillais shower gels. They come in many fragrances
and smell amazing!

“Just so you know, contrary to appearances, "Le Petit Marseillais" shower gels are an American brand owned by Johnson & Johnson.”

Thanks , I didn’t know that.
I’ve never seen them in Canada, so I buy them in France..

Le "vrai savon de Marseille".

Just so you know, contrary to appearances, "Le Petit Marseillais" shower gels are an American brand owned by Johnson & Johnson.

As happens so often with conglomerates, M&A means it's instead now part of Kimberly-Clark.

The "Vrai savon de Marseille" (Marseille soap) mentioned by Judy might be something to bring back. It's inexpensive, but it can be heavy (over 1/2 kg).

But be careful, the "Savon de Marseille" designation is not protected, and most are counterfeit products (from Poland, Tunisia, Turkey, and even China).

To recognize authentic Marseille soap:

https://www.maitresavon.fr/en/authenticite-certifiee/

You can wash many things with Marseille soap: your body, laundry, leather, and furniture. It is hypoallergenic and antibacterial. 100% natural.

There’s so many great boutiques around, a nice fashion accessory is always a great choice. It’s something you’ll use and remember fondly for a long time. Also, and this applies to a lot of stuff, tell them it’s a gift and they will wrap it elegantly and expertly. It’s one of those perfectly French things, where there is a way these things are done and to do anything less is unfathomable to them.

If you're a car person or know someone who is ...

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a70907371/best-little-bookstore-in-paris/

Oh and a side note, a London vlogger is warning people coming by Eurostar that the UK is currently banning many food items because of an outbreak of hoof and mouth, or something similar.

Another side note, Citypharma is really a thing. It's small and multilevel and really jammed with people, seemingly mostly tourists looking for items such as mentioned above and/or prescription drugs. Not for the weak of heart.

I found better prices for some skincare in smaller pharmacies, two-for-one deals etc.
The stories about CitiPharma being so crowded put me off going anywhere near the place.
There’s a pharmacy on nearly every block in Paris.

Le Petit Marseillais is not an American brand. About 10 years ago they "Launched" in the USA with 3 or 4 offerings and it didn't do well, sadly. You're not going to find them in North America anymore.