Paris, the City of Flowers. Walking through its beautiful streets, it’s easy to be captivated by so much that many might wonder, ‘Where should I buy souvenirs?’ From affordable, small gifts for friends to high-quality French specialties for yourself, Paris offers countless charming shopping spots.
This guide carefully selects 5 ‘best spots for Paris souvenir shopping’ that will satisfy everyone, from short-term tourists to long-term residents. Beyond just introducing shops, we’ve packed in ‘real insights’ such as tips to avoid crowds, tricks for bringing items back to Japan, and even how to navigate self-checkout counters. Make sure to use this as a reference for your next trip to Paris!
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
📍 Address: 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
If you’re looking for souvenirs in Paris, ‘Galeries Lafayette Haussmann’, located just behind the Opéra Garnier, is an absolute must-visit. The moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a breathtakingly beautiful stained-glass dome (coupole). The grand, historic architecture combined with the bright space bathed in natural light makes you feel as if you’re in a museum. The view from the upper floors while shopping, and the ‘Glass Walk’ photo spot (it’s smoother if you use tickets or reservations) where you can walk on a glass floor, offer a highly satisfying sightseeing experience.
Across from the main building, the gourmet food hall (Le Gourmet) offers such an overwhelming selection that you might think ‘all French souvenirs can be found here’. High-end chocolates, teas, truffle salt, and beautifully packaged baked goods line the shelves, offering an endless array of choices. However, expect severe crowds, especially on weekends and during the Christmas season, so if you want to browse at your leisure, ‘weekday afternoons’ are your best bet.
Furthermore, during your shopping break, make sure to visit the free rooftop terrace. You can enjoy panoramic views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Opéra Garnier, an experience so impressive it’s worth visiting even if you don’t shop.
Monoprix Opéra Store
📍 Address: 23 Av. de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris, France
‘Monoprix’ is a supermarket that supports the daily lives of Parisians. Among its many branches, this store on Avenue de l’Opéra is incredibly accessible for tourists and stays open late, making it a reliable spot you’ll want to visit multiple times during your stay. It’s perfect for buying drinking water if you’re not used to hard water, or for picking up deli items like shrimp, prosciutto, and salads for a late-night snack. They even stock Japanese beer and gyoza, which can be a lifesaver if you’re on a long stay and craving Japanese food.
For tourists, the biggest draw is undoubtedly the classic souvenir ‘Monoprix eco-bags’. Featuring Eiffel Tower designs and vibrant Parisian patterns, they cost around 1.5 to 2 euros, leading many to buy several at once. Here’s an important tip! Eco-bags sometimes come with anti-theft tags. If you check out at a self-service register, you’ll then need to ask a security staff member at the exit to remove the tag. To make it smoothest, when buying eco-bags, queue at a ‘manned register’ and have the tag removed on the spot.
Also, when using the credit card-only self-checkout, you might initially be asked in French, ‘Card or Cash?’ If you don’t understand, just say ‘card’. The staff at this Opéra store are incredibly friendly, and some wonderful employees who’ve studied Japanese on their own may even help you with the register operations.
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
📍 Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
‘Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche’, exuding the prestige of the world’s oldest department store, is located on the Left Bank. While its exterior is classic, stepping inside reveals a captivating display of exquisitely arranged merchandise. From fashion and shoes to furniture, everything is beautifully presented like works of art, making window shopping a delightful experience in itself.
For souvenir hunting, the adjacent food hall, ‘La Grande Épicerie de Paris’ (the basement gourmet section), is an absolute must-visit. It’s a treasure trove of food, not only gathering gourmet items from around the world but also featuring French seasonings, jams, and herb-infused deli dishes. Particularly popular among tourists are luxury fermented butters like ‘Échiré’ and ‘Bordier’.
Good news for those who want to buy butter and take it back to Japan but worry about it melting or its scent spreading! At Le Bon Marché, you can request ‘vacuum packing (Emballage sous vide)’ for butter and cheese at the cash register for a fee (around 1 to 1.5 euros). After paying the vacuum packing fee at the register, take your receipt to a dedicated counter near the exit where a staff member will skillfully seal your items. This way, you can safely pack them in your checked luggage and enjoy the fresh flavor of Parisian butter even after returning to Japan.
Angelina
📍 Address: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Located just near the Louvre Museum, ‘Angelina’ is a historic and renowned establishment where you can enjoy an elegant tea time. The signature items served in its classic and sophisticated Belle Époque-style interior are, without a doubt, the rich ‘chocolat chaud (hot chocolate)’ and the ‘Mont Blanc’ generously topped with chestnut paste. Both are incredibly rich and substantial, so if you’re visiting with two or more people, sharing is a smart ordering strategy. Also, during the morning hours around 9:30 AM, there are fewer queues, allowing you to slowly savor a breakfast set with butter-rich pastries.
Beyond its charm as a café, the boutique section near the entrance is also a treasure trove of souvenirs. Here, Angelina’s special ‘Crème de Marrons (chestnut cream)’ is immensely popular among tourists. Available in tubes or jars, it’s affordable yet elegantly packaged, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser as a gift. You can easily recreate the taste of Paris at home by spreading it on toast or adding it to yogurt.
However, there’s a [SUPER IMPORTANT] note when taking chestnut cream home. Paste-like foods are considered ‘liquids’ for international flights’ carry-on luggage, so if you have it in your hand luggage, it will be confiscated at security. Make sure to wrap your purchased chestnut cream in a Ziploc bag or similar, and place it in your suitcase as ‘checked luggage’ to take it back to Japan.
Paris est toujours Paris
📍 Address: 47 Pass. Jouffroy, 75009 Paris, France
Named ‘Paris is always Paris’, this charming souvenir shop is quietly nestled within the Passage Jouffroy, an arcade exuding a distinctly Parisian, retro atmosphere. As you stroll through the passage, bathed in light from its glass roof, you’ll feel an irresistible pull to step inside the store.
Within its cozy interior, you won’t find cliché souvenirs like Eiffel Tower figurines. Instead, you’ll discover a sophisticated selection of tasteful items, all ‘Made in France’. You can find high-quality gifts such as meticulously crafted LAULHÈRE berets and flat caps, Saint James striped shirts, and beautiful Gien ceramics. They also have a rich collection of ‘The Little Prince’ merchandise, with postcards and mugs being perfect gifts for close friends.
What’s even better is that this store often has Japanese-speaking staff. Even those unfamiliar with travel can receive detailed support in Japanese, including advice on sizing or information about delicious nearby restaurants. It’s a hidden gem where you can enjoy a heartwarming shopping experience with thoughtful service.
Summary: A Little Prior ‘Ingenuity’ is Key to Shopping in Paris!
Shopping in Paris is a wonderful experience that can make your heart leap just by looking, but with a little bit of knowledge, your satisfaction can dramatically increase. Knowing local rules and insider tips, such as how to remove eco-bag tags, operate self-checkout machines, utilize butter vacuum-packing services, and correctly pack chestnut cream, will allow you to enjoy your shopping smoothly and without trouble.
From prestigious department stores to supermarkets loved by locals, and hidden selective boutiques in arcades. Please use this guide to find your own special ‘Parisian memories’ and bring them back to Japan!
