Gina_Mo

Wow, that wonderful responses! Thank you all for the time. For those who asked why people would want something from my vacation? I live in a small town and work in a bar, and several people there took up a collection to help me go. They all are so excited for me, and are asking for a little something. So, yes, the silly lil keychains will mean the world!

dreamon

You don't say where you live but if it's Australia I recommend you don't buy food as souvenirs as many food stuffs will be confiscated (learned from experience). Some stuff is okay but hard to predict sometimes which ones. I've even had sealed jars confiscated so now I don't buy anything much except chocolate.

We bought Eiffel Tower keyrings for 5 for 1euro last week near the Tower.

cjap

Gina_Mo, I don't know you, but I am happy and excited for you. Walk everywhere and take it all in. Watch the sunset from the Eiffel Tower. You can actually make a lot of acquaintances there with people from all over the world. It sounds as if you have a great group of friends. Have a wonderful trip!

Randy

Here is a little different idea. Across the street from the Hotel de Ville is BHV or Bazzaar de Hotel de Ville, a large department store. Go to the basement level and you can find all kinds of French hardware. I got French house numbers for my house. There are thousands of different items and you have to be creative. They have various signs in French, like "Beware of dog", etc. On the third or fouth floor the have everyting you can imagine in kitchen gadgets.

Gina_Mo

Thanks everyone! Dream on, I am from Illinois! Cjap, thank you so much. I have dreamed of going to Paris since I was a little girl. I cant really afford the trip, but can't afford not to finally cash in on the dream. I hope to share my experience here with others when I get back, especially those budget minded like me! I have some more questions I will post this evening. Thanks for all the great tips!!!!

kerouac

Anyway, don't worry about cheap souvenirs. Paris gets millions of tourists and many of them are poor (Eastern Europe, Africa, er, children....). There have always been souvenirs priced for every economic group. I remember when I was a child in France and my budget for souvenirs was about 1 or 2 francs per area -- I always found things to buy.

taconictraveler

Gina -- so glad you are getting to fulfill your dream.

We just came back from Paris, and my DH fell in love with BHV. He took a whole afternoon "off" to meander through the basement hardware store, and was thrilled!

CarolJean

One year I bought small Eiffel towers and went to a fabric store, got small red and green balls and some matching ribbon. I made Christmas ornaments with them. Your friends might like that - a souvenir and (somewhat) useful. Have a great trip. CJ

Bedar

Do NOT waste your time looking for souvenirs. As Seafox said, have a good photo of yourself made at the Eiffel Tower, in a cafe, wherever, and use this on Christmas cards. INSPIRE your friends to make trips of their own !

Gretchen

Your story about getting help to do the trip is super. You do need to take a little somethin' back to say thanks.
The person suggesting a 7E pen is out of my price point!!
Good luck. You'll see something. The BHV is a LOT of fun. The sidewalk outside Galeries Lafayette might have some nice scarves for ladies.
The MOnoprix is a good idea--and don't forget about things like dried mushrooms (in plastic bottles) if you have foodie friends.
The stationery stores or departments are treasure troves of nice things.

spaarne

Have a look at the small calendars at bookstore Gibert Jeune on Blvd. Saint Michel between the Seine and Blvd. Saint Germain. For 12 great photographs your friends will remember you for the whole year!

LoveItaly

Hello, Gina, you sure have a group of lovely friends!

I have never been to Paris but I have a lovely gift from Paris that a dear friend brought home for me. I know it didn't cost much but it is perfect. It is a small round pretty compact and inside is the regular mirror and a magnifying mirror. It came in a small black felt bag. It is always is my purse and I mentally thank her every time I use it.

Enjoy every precious moment of your time in Paris!

Iwan2go

What a lovely story and what nice friends you have! Last April I bought several thermal bags (they look like lunch bag purses, sort of - it's hard to describe how cute they are) from Maison du Chocolat in the Carousel de Louvre shopping center (it's downstairs in the museum - follow your nose).

We took a wonderful Paris Walks chocolate tour, and they suggested these to keep the candy cool on the return trip. They fold flat, have a cord handle, and are a beautiful bronzy color with the shop's logo on them - and cost a whopping 4 euros. I thought it was quite a coup, and my daughters loved them! Who wouldn't want to take lunch to work in a chic bag marked "Maison du Chocoat, Paris".

Have a great trip! Paris is amazing.

Gina_Mo

Thank you, everyone, for your kind stories and suggestions! You certainly have painted a beautiful picture. I wonder if it is all I have imaged or, will it be greatly different! haha. I do have some kind friends...I worked and saved the trip but the gave me some spending money or it would have been horribly tight. I am blessed to have them. I am actually excited about shopping for all of the touristy stuff now!
A low budget treasure hunt as I wander around the city!

qwovadis

shakespeareandcompany.com

featured recently in the new Woody Allen movie

Midnight in Paris (a great primer for your trip)

Cute cheap gifts with meaning that travel well.

Where I always go...

Congrats and Happy Travels!

ssander

Refrigerator magnets are usually pretty cheap...most of the museums have them.

...but I agree, your photos will be your best souvenirs in the long run. Use the highest resolution you can, because, as said earlier, you can blow up a couple of good ones and frame them -- nothing brings back memories of a trip like looking through the photos.

SS

DebitNM

Bookmarks are always nice.

I bought back a dozen reusable grocery bags from Picard. They cost less than one euro and were much liked when I gave them out upon my return home. They are also useful while shopping at Picard.

http://www.picard.fr/Modules/LaBouti...uits/4028.html

kappa1

What's "ultra cheap"? Each has his own idea I guess. For me it's around 1 - 2 € or less so miniature eiffel towers and supermarket bags said above are that. Others that cost €5 or more, I don't consider "ultra cheap" especially when you need to buy a quantity of them. Magnets sold at museums usually have fixed price of around €4. What's that in USD, 6 or 7? Not that cheap. I buy them once in a while nice one with a painting I like for example, not thinking it's especially cheap. Bought a 2nd hand (or a Chinese copy maybe) clean and wrapped in a plastic at a bouquiniste stand on the seine for 1 or 2€. That was a bit better.

jan47ete

I too would say that anything cheap is not worth having or worrying about buying or carting home for friends. Then you also get into it can't be breakable, heavy or a problem with customs.

My suggestion: have a great time, take great photos, put them in a book and then go to a great bakery in your city, buy bagettes, crossaints, fabulous pastries, wonderful coffee and invite the friends you were going to buy gifts for over for a great time.

Aleta

Food and nice soaps are always appreciated. A pretty bookmark or eyeglass wipe cloth from a museum shop are always pretty and inexpensive. The cheap Paris keychain, not so much.
Chocolate--that can be great.
I personally always shop at a local grocery shop for something like the French mustard to take as gifts.
Enjoy, and don't spend all your time shopping