Scarf, for sure.

Soap by the slice is a big hit. There is a place near Rue Buci:

www.comptoir-des-savonniers-paris.fr/en/


Sad to say, maybe, but from our very first trip the cheap Eiffel Tower key chain hawked on the streets was converted into a Christmas tree ornament that always makes us smile.

I collect a leaf from one of the parks, and press it between a magazine page. When I get home I frame it and write where they came from and the year. I have a collection of leaves hanging above my fireplace from most of my trips.

I love some of your ideas!

For something inexpensive, Maison du Chocolat has insulated gift bags that look very chi chi (there is one in the Carousel du Louvre and another at CDG airport, among other locations). I’ve given them as lunch totes - also good to carry home chocolate!

They’re a sort of metallic copper color and have the logo printed across them, with a corded handle, fold pretty flat, and only cost 4-5 Euros.

To see a photo, google “Maison du Chocolat insulated gift bag”.

For Provence style tablecloths, etc. you might also try Simrane in the 6th on rue Bonaparte. They are made in India but French designed. Beautiful colors and patterns.

A lot of people like the enamel street signs or 'beware of dog' type signs, or even just the street numbers to put on your house. BHV/Marais has always sold them, but you can get them even cheaper at the 4-level Leroy Merlin store to the left of the Pompidou Center.

I always get huge complements on my plastic shopping bag with the Paris metro map. 10 euros at the at La vaissellerie on rue de Rennes. They do have other boutiques around town www.lavaissellerie.fr/ I even had a Trader Joe's employee stalking me in one of the San Diego stores to ask where I got it.

Also my sister-in-law just gave me some super cute little parachute silk "foldable" shopping bags from monoprix with a little paris eiffel tower motif that are tiny and fit in your purse-I think they are a euro or so and would make great gifts.

And we always bring back Amora mustard in plastic squeeze bottles since it is made stronger here in France, so we love to be able to have some in the US.

Thank you all for such fabulous ideas. I will for sure get fleur de sel . We cook all the time and just discovered Maldon salt at whole foods . Love that stuff . I am making a note of all the stores. We will be staying in the 6th so I think many of your wonderful suggestions will fit the bill! I have a tablecloth that I got last time and I love it . It was expensive but one that I treasure !

I was in southwest France this week and at dinner one night I ordered a half dozen oysters to start. They were served on a plate covered with about half a kilo of fleur de sel and I just kept wondering how much a store would charge for the same amount.