My Parisian-Inspired Gift Guide for Francophiles 🇫🇷🎁
French-inspired gifts for the Parisian at heart… these are, in my not so humble opinion, the best gifts for Francophiles, or someone who wants to visit Paris.
Joyeuses Fêtes de Paris !
Parisian chic, French luxury gifts that are actually authentic (coming from someone who lives in Paris!). These are a mix of French home decor gifts, beauty products, Parisian style gift ideas, and things that I either actually actively love and use, or are currently on my own wish list!
Though I’m (obviously) not French, I’d like to think of myself as an adopted parisienne… my adoptive home town, the culture I’m immersing myself in… I never felt like I quite fit into LA, New York, or a particular American city (mad love for my home state of California, though!) … so perhaps my personal identification with this culture lends me some credibility when it comes to my taste and selections???? A GIRL CAN DREAM! (une fille peut rêver !!)
Let’s get into the gifts!! C’est parti !
Trudon Camée Parfumé (box of 4) - When I think of French gifts, I think of fragrance. And few places do fragrance better than Trudon, the luxury French candlemaker founded in the 1600s! This unique gift is a set of perfumed wax cameos — if you’re like, Dominique, what the fuck did you just say to me, HOLD ON. It’s essentially a candle without a jar, in a fun shape — instead of burning a wick, you place this in a heated bowl, and the scent diffuses in whatever space you’re in. I guarantee you, they won’t be buying this for themselves and it’s so French and so extra and so cuuuute!
Diptyque Hand Cream - Nothing says French luxury gift quite like Diptyque, IMO. It’s so iconic and recognizable, and aside from marketing hype, the quality of fragrance is actually gorgeous, whether it’s a candle, perfume, or this hand cream. This one in particular is their iconic scent Fleur de Peau — an olfactive homage to the story of Cupid and Psyche (one of my fav works of art in the Louvre!), full of ambery iris and musk, some sandalwood… it’s heavenly and clean and super super elevated.
Bacanha Drink Syrups (violette) - To capture a bit of le style parisien, a gourmet syrup could be the ideal niche luxury gift. French people LOVE putting syrup in water — flat or sparkling — so you could go for straight up luxury sirop with water, or mix it into a lemonade, iced tea, mocktail, or cocktail… pick your poison! I spotted this one at La Grande Épicerie and then got to try it at a French friend’s house at a raclette dinner (best combo) and I absolutely LOVE the violette flavor. Unique, sophisticated, luxurious… just trust me. Faites-moi confiance !
Officine Universelle Bully Heliotrope Body Oil - Among the crown jewels of Parisian chic gifts, you’ll find this exquisite collection of treasures from Officine Universelle Bully. Their sumptuous, angelic body oil comes in a gorgeous heliotrope scent. If you’re like “what tf is heliotrope,” I’m so honored to introduce you to what some call “the vanilla flower.” It has an almost sweet almond, vanilla powder, lightly floral scent. And, it’s one of my favorite notes in perfume.
A Paris Studio magnets and stickers - one of my favorite French-themed gifts this year is this adorable collection of stickers and magnets from the Etsy shop, A Paris Studio (thank you to my friend Morgan for influencing me on this one!).
Paint by Numbers Kit - Paris - I want this so bad! I’ve been obsessed with painting for de-compression and I LOVE this little parisian scene. It makes such a sweet gift because you can frame and hang the painting afterward 🥺🥹
Fabienne Delacroix Puzzle - My favorite artist! I have this scene as a full tableau in my home, mounted to the wall in a giant gold Versailles-esque frame. It was my housewarming gift to myself when I moved to Paris. This puzzle is such a lovely and fun gift… I remember dong parisian puzzles during covid, dreaming of being here… and now look!
Memo Paris perfume discovery set - my favorite French perfumery, with tons of exclusive-to-paris perfumes to discover (get them while you’re visiting!) … you can take these samples home with you and test-wear to find your favorites. French fragrance is SUCH a perfect Parisian gift!
Angelina Hot Chocolate Mix - the hunt for Parisian gift ideas will usually lead you to something delicious… this is curation is no exception. Let me introduce you to a taste of Paris from home, wherever that may be: the Angelina chocolat chaud, in powder form.
Marin Montagut Rue Princesse Mug - this place is full of Francophile gifts (I’m about to take my mom shopping there), and the “Rue Princesse” Mug is one of my favorites, for obvious reasons. Perhaps I’ll use it to manifest my future address in the 6e arrondissement.
Nuxe Rêve de Miel Shower Gel - If you’re scoping the best things to buy at the French pharmacy while you’re here, look no further than the Nuxe section. This deliciously honey-scented body wash is heaven on earth, and one of my all-time favorite self care products.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray - French beauty products are always a great gift idea, and this particular French pharmacy product is hard to find outside of France (I’m actually not sure if it’s available in the US??).
French Abroad Oui Oui Beanie - Made in France, French owned, high-quality, and authentic… our amazing friend Christian makes the iconic French Abroad merch including sweatshirts, tees, and caps. I love this adorable “Oui Oui” beanie in the French flag colors.
Mariage Frères Holiday Tea - I love giving tea as a gift… it just feels… so elegant and timeless. And this particular tea house from Paris has an extra chic flair (plus, they’re DELICIOUS). Their holiday collection, including Christmas in Love, is spectacular and makes a truly unique and elevated gift.
Joie Coffee Table Book - on my list is a coffee table book that adorns the tables basses at most of my friends’ houses: Joie. My personal life motto is joie de vivre, and I’m excited to read this take on the French approach to a joyful life from Ajiri Aki.
La Bonne Brosse - some of the most stylish Parisian women I know introduced me to this brush ages ago, and my mom got me one for my birthday! A niche luxury French hairbrush makes a stunning and thoughtful gift for a francophile. (you can get the petite at Sephora Paris!)
Repetto Ballet Flats - when it comes to Parisian style gift ideas, this one is quintessential French fashion: the iconic, original ballet flat. THE OG, YOU GUYS. Rose Repetto was making ballet shoes for her son and the dancers at the Opéra Garnier, and eventually made wearable ballet flats (literally the original, like I said) that Brigitte Bardot would go on to wear in And God Created Woman.
Rouje Claw Clip - Looking for some French fashion accessories? Gifts like these make great stocking stuffers… and this is the actual claw clip in my hair currently, I use it literally every day. I had one for over a year that took too many dips in the Mediterranean (oops) and the metal part rusted. Another one tragically was left behind in Sicily. I’ve taken better care of its replacement.
Candles - I couldn’t choose just one between my top three favs: the Overose Croissant Candle that’s on my wish list, Bon Parfumeur Candles (burning one right now), and Diptyque Candles (my all time fav for a decade).
Longchamp Tote - Yes, you can get these in the US, but they’re soooo French. Everyone carries one of these here; they’re so practical, useful, and understated. Mine is my go-to daily bag when I’m carrying a laptop or a handful of things that won’t fit in a purse. And if you’re shopping here and going back to the US, you get that sweet sweet VAT refund.
