Best souvenir from Paris?
 

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!

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. ;-)

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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>

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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>

I forgot to mention something. I also try to get good pictures, and it takes a lot of shots to get the perfect picture sometimes. But my walls at home and in my office are decorated only with pictures that I have taken from trips. It means so much more to me than something you could buy at the mall or through Home Interiors. I have different groupings, some more personal with pictures of myself and the friends I've traveled with (I have several different sets of friends I travel with, basically some are more adventerous than others about where or how long they will go for). Others are the scenic pictures, with no people in them. I'm getting to the point now where I will have to rearrange, because my walls are getting full! But that's something I can live with. <BR> <BR>Sandi

I like to get kitchen stuff because I use it all the time: cotton/linen souvenir dishtowels; pot holders; refrigerator magnets (up to a point!); soap holders; salad implements, etc., etc., etc.

My favorite souvenirs: <BR> <BR>Suit bought at Galeries Lafayette <BR>Bottle of Creme de Cassis to make Kirs <BR>Earl Grey Tea & Tapenade from Fauchon <BR>Cheesy Eiffel Tower replica <BR>Prints of my favorite paintings from the appropriate museum <BR> <BR>Vive la France! <BR> <BR>

While we bring back Eiffel Tower key chains for our employees, for our own memories we get the poster from the current special show from the museum: from Paris, the Musee d'Orsay exhibition of Millet and Van Gogh two years ago. We have them framed and hang them in the bedroom. We now have posters from London, Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid.

I used to get pins that I could put on my Bavarian hat, but started to collect coffee cups whilst traveling the states. I have a shelf dedicated to coffie cups and bier steins. I have also picked up a few prints to frame and a couple of decorative plates. <BR>

HI, <BR>Five years ago I bought a pink sponge in the shape of the Eiffel Tower--it still has a place of honor in our bathroom. I am going back to Paris in November and hope the souvenir places still have those colorful sponges! <BR> <BR>Kathryn

I bought my cashmere winter coat in Paris, along with a beautiful scarf from a street vendor...Everytime I wear them, I think of Paris and imagine how "Parisian" I look... <BR>I also really like the miniature paintings I've bought in Paris, Amsterdam and other cities, which I've bought from street vendors depicting colorful street scenes. They were so inexpensive and I have since framed them and they look great! <BR>I've gotten to the point in my travels where I tend to buy one nice, small object that is not necessarily representative of where I bought it, but will remind me of the DAY I bought it! (i.e. antique door knocker from Egypt bought at a flea market in Berlin, perfume bottle, etc...) <BR>I also collect match books from everywhere I've stayed or dined...It's really fun to go back and look through them and remember! (handy, too, if you forget the name of a place you've been to!)

I keep thinking every time I go to Paris that I will come back with some item of intimate apparel given to me directly by Juliette Binoche.

A French maid??

The last time we were in paris...aahh... <BR>sorry for the digression...back to the question, I found some beautiful glass wine stoppers at Au Printemps. <BR>k

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A street artist did the most beautiful portraits of our two teenage children. I will always treasure this keepsake.

Hi all, great ideas! I brought back some tapestry pillows, purchased at Musee d'Cluny,,,they look great on my bed....they are easy to transport(you stuff them when you get home)...cost anywhere from $10-$35,,,beautiful medieval scenes(The Lady & the Unicorn), lovely colors; made in France.

Paintings purchased from local artists in front of Sacre Coeur. I see these everyday and remember with much pleasure my trip to France.

-A little metal Eiffel Tower <BR>-French Sea Salt from Bon Marche Gourmet <BR>-A Dijon mustard jar from Maille <BR>-Clothing from Au Printemps <BR>-2 bottles of Wine from Nicolas Wine Shop <BR>-Soap from Marseilles <BR>-Foie Gras from Fauchon <BR>-Duvet Covers <BR>

While waiting for my daughter, I happened to wander into a jewelry store and spotted a very unique opal ring. <BR>I debated about buying it but knew I'd kick myself later if I didn't purchase it. I'm so glad I did!! I wear it everyday and it reminds me of my beautiful trip to Paris. <BR>Also, the trip was a gift from my husband for our 25th wedding anniversary and it will always remind me of how generous he is!!

My favorites are my carte orange pass, a labyrinth medal from Chartres, and a ticky-tacky little Eiffel Tower (which I bought in a rush and was too embarrassed to give anyone later on). The pass reminds me of all the great places its tiny ticket helped me get to; the medal keeps in mind a personally liberating experience at Chartres; and in the middle of work, I can look up at that dumb faux Tower on my monitor, and, weirdly enough, I'm THERE at the real Tower (stress management for a mere 10 francs). <BR> <BR>Hits with friends and family were medals from Notre Dame and Chartres--whether someone was religious or not didn't matter.

Jars of pate and tins of cassoulet. <BR>Creme de cassis for kirs. I buy these at grocery stores. Next time I will go to Fragonard's thanks to some of you. <BR>I think I will have a kir roght now you have made me so lonesome for Paris.

Oops make that right now (haven't had the kir yet)

I love to shop for souvenirs and bring back hokey little things for people I know. Everyone always loves being remembered and having a treat from far away. Like Steve, I bought a handful of miniature Eiffel Towers for the girls in my stitching group and they loved them! Also brought them soap from Marseille and miniature perfume bottles. They were thrilled! <BR> <BR>For myself, I too bought the refrigerator magnets (glance at them everyday) and a minature Eiffel Tower that sits on my desk at work. Everytime I look at it I'm transported back to that memory "I was standing right there!!" <BR> <BR>My favorite souvenir is a beautiful bottle of Lalique Parfum that I purchased at Galeries Layfayette. It is the most gorgeous bottle! Very unique. <BR> <BR>Most fun - I popped into the Virgin Megastore on Champs Elysees and purchased Edith Piaf's 35th Anniversary CD. Fantastic! <BR> <BR>Silliest souvenir - I went to a toy store and bought a toy "Smart" car - it's almost life size! Too cute. <BR> <BR>What shopping pleasure - fun, fun, fun!!