maile

What would be your idea of the best souvenir from Paris, tacky or otherwise and why? Think portablility, cost, non-perishables: true souvenirs (e.g. not memories or photos) Thanks!

Beth Anderson

artwork. preferably something a local artist did. (which runs the gamut from Pierre at the foot of the Sacre Coeur to Monet. which will cost you a bit more. ;-)

luanne

I found a pen that looks like a baggett [you know, bread] at a stand next to Notre Dam. I wish I had bought 20 of them.

Thyra

On my husband's birthday last year we were kissing under the Eiffel Tower late at night (it was freezing cold) I said happy birthday, and something fell out of the sky and hit my husband on the head. At first he was pissed off, but when he bent down to examine it, he found a little metal replica of the Eiffel Tower that was on a key chain. Undoubtedly it was from some other poor tourist who had dropped it, but we like to think it was his birthday present from the Eiffel Tower itself.

Richard

Every Christmas we put up a tree and decorate it with our travel souvenirs. We have a trulli, an Inishhmoor cottage, a plastic Venetian gondola, a kachina doll etc. etc. From Paris, what else, the Tour Eiffel.

elvira

Gathered on many trips, some replaced each year, hard to categorize one as the best: <BR> <BR>wall and desk calendars <BR>address book <BR>fountain pen <BR>greeting cards <BR>needlepoint scrim <BR>coffee bowl <BR>miniature Paris building <BR>free totebag from Galeries Lafayette <BR>free prints from Galeries Lafayette <BR>bottle stoppers for Champagne <BR>costume jewelry <BR>hair doodads <BR> <BR>16" tall Eiffel Tower I converted to a lamp (not exactly portable, but I sacrificed the purchase of other souvenirs to drag it home).

John

We tend to bring back souveniers which we then eat or otherwise consume, hence I guess perishable. Still, French tea, various un- or hard-to obtainable things like Banyuls (a sort of dessert wine), chocolates or other nummies acquired in the Marais...stop it. <BR> <BR>But, longer term durables have included art glass from a very good and relatively inexpensive gallery somewhere between the B. St. Germain and the river (I know, that helps), scarves or jewelery from Printemps or the (great) gift shop at the Orsay museum, beautiful printed things like cards with children's names and "Wednesday's child..." sorts of sayings, cool bottle openers, ashtrays nicked from snooty sidewalk cafes... <BR>But the cheesier the Eiffel Tower doodad, the better. Or pop into an auto supply shop and pick up a country sticker for Brittany (BZH) and be the first on your block.

Richard

John, If you're ever in the Dallas/Plano area, look for the gal with the "Bzh" sticker on her bike, it's my wife. Our credo is "if you ain't rid yer bike there, you can't show it". We bought the sticker in Dinan.

Lori

I like to buy an article of clothing/jewelry or a nice scarf or something like that. It's fun wearing it later and remembering where you bought it, even better if you are down in the dumps and need cheering up! I also like to buy a cat (knick knack) as I collect them. We also like to bring home things we can eat as it's fun when you are experiencing post vacation depression to get out the goodies from Paris (or Harrods or where ever) and chow down! <BR> <BR>

Beth Anderson

I also admit to buying oodles and oodles of books, and music while I am overseas. <BR> <BR>sick admission: I was in Ireland a few weeks ago and a bookstore I was in was having a great sale (buy one get one free!) on Eyewitness Guides Travel books. (they are wonderful!) so I bought a bunch of different ones on Italy, my next vacation (September). <BR> <BR>sad, innit? <BR> <BR>Beth

Al

Keep your eyes open in flea markets in Paris and sometimes you can run across a piece of genuine Lalique glass. Beware of fakes, however. These art nouveau pieces seem to gain in value with amazing velocity. Consult a book or catalog before putting out the cash; there are a lot of semi-Lalique pieces out there.

maggie

This may sound sentimental but as first timers we were awed with Notre Dame. My 20yr old daughter found the rosarys they sell there in the cathedral (anywhere from $5 - $50)....bought a number of them, and then waited for the priest there to bless them. It has become her most cherished souvenier. She carried it with her everywhere and wouldnt risk putting it in her luggage. The folks back home that we had bought for were also impressed. A very simple thing.

Ross

Perfume or cologne from FRAGONARD. <BR> <BR>They have truly, beautiful fragrances at VERY reasonable prices. They have a location near the Opera metro stop.

steve

When I was in Paris last summer I bought about 20 little(1") Eiffel towers and brought them back to my co-workers. Every one of them has their little tower displayed-mostly on top of their computer terminals.

teri

A small eiffel tower <BR>a charm of the tower - I like to collect charms from my travels - something that represents the city or country <BR>A small bottle of french champagne - we carried it home in my back pack safely and enjoyed it this past New Year's.

Bernadette

A crisp clear photo you took yourself of a very special place you will always remember. <BR> <BR>Ours was a dirt road we wondered down outside of Samur. Beautiful, and hanging in our bedroom.

Sheila

My favorite things that I brought back from Paris are a picture of my daughter drawn by an artist at Sacre Coeur, a kitchen trivit made of tile with a scene of Paris (I can use this everyday and remember), and a totebag from Paris that I use to carry around books. I always pick up a Christmas Ornament everywhere and a picture frame to put a special photo in. Also Fragonard has wonderful soaps. My mom loves her fan that I brought her and she takes it to church with her on Sunday. Paris also has beautiful scarves and of course, don't forget the key chains.

JR

While in Paris last summer I purchased a tapestry with a paris scene woven into it. There are many textile shopes in the area of the Sacre Coeur. I love the tapestry and can't wait to return next summer to get more. <BR> <BR>JR

Byrd

Two engravings from the stalls along the Seine- one the Place Vendome, the other Versailles. <BR>

Sandi

I collect a variety of things, but the main item would be refrigerator magnets. I know this is a little tacky, but the refrigerator is something you see everyday, and magnets are definitely not an inconvenience to haul home. The problem is when I try to limit myself to just one per trip, I can't seem to do it. I came back with seven from my latest trip to France; Mona Lisa from the Louvre, one from the Mont St. Michel, Chambord, Chenocoux(sp?), Ambois, Nice, and lastly, Monaco. <BR> <BR>I have recently started bringing back a bottle of wine from each trip. I may bring back more than one to share with friends, but I only keep one, and I don't drink it. <BR> <BR>I like to bring back books also. There is a series called A Photographic Journey that I have six or seven of. I'm actually trying to locate some out of print copies from places I have been but couldn't find the book at that particular place. They are a series of large hard back books with some wonderful photos and narrative as well. Nice coffee table books. <BR> <BR>I also am a devoted Hard Rock Cafe fan, and I try to get a tee-shirt from there. I like the ones with original designs from the cities, not just the original logo with city name. London is the best, because it is the original, and it says right on the shirt established 1971, which is the year I was born also. Yes, I know this is tacky/cheesy/touristy. But I like it anyway. <BR> <BR>I have only been overseas twice now, but can't wait to go back. I do enjoy traveling the United States, too. Loved Chicago, San Francisco, Boston. Last year also went to Maui and Oahu, which was incredible. <BR> <BR>Sorry to get off subject. Happy souvenier hunting! <BR> <BR>Sandi <BR> <BR>