7 Original Paris Gift Ideas

If you’ve ever received a miniature Eiffel Tower or a cushion embroidered with Sacré Coeur, you know that not everything that comes from Paris is chic. But there are plenty of Paris-themed gifts that will delight your friends and family without provoking an eye roll. Here are my favorite stylish and authentically Parisian presents for those who love the City of Light.

Find even more of our favorite Parisian products in the Urbansider Boutique!

7 Original Paris Gift Ideas

• Arrondissement Gifts
• Parisian Street Signs
• Paris Guided Tour Gift Certificates
• Classic French Striped Shirts
• French Pastries
• Paris Prints
• Memories of Paris Past

1. Arrondissement Gifts

If either you or a friend has lived in or simply fallen in love with a certain arrondissement, why not gift something accordingly? Parigramme publishes lovely books called Mémoires des rues for each arrondissement, in which old black and white photos recall the time between 1900 and 1940. Although the texts are in French, the photos speak for themselves (available at FNAC).

Alternatively, the gift shop in the Hôtel de Ville sells water bottles stamped with arrondissement numbers, or for some wearable art, pick up an iconic Kasia Dietz tote bag with the postal code of your favorite Paris neighborhood.

2. Iconic Parisian Street Signs

Do you adore those enamel blue and green street signs? Many souvenir shops sell knock-offs, but if you want something extra special and personal, get one made for the rue that really means something to you or your friend. At BHV, downstairs in the bricolage department, you can order a street sign for around 200€.

3. A Paris Guided Tour Gift Certificate

Offer the Paris lover in your life an original experience with a gift certificate for a unique Parisian experience to be booked on the dates of their choosing.

Select from: a Paris street art stroll through Montmartre, the Butte-aux-Cailles, or Beaubourg; a historical walk through 19th-century Paris; discovering the cool Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood; a pastry tour of Le Marais; and more.

See all of our Paris guided tours here.

4. A Marinière Top

No Parisienne’s wardrobe is without one: the classic striped top made chic by Coco Chanel goes with absolutely everything and is oh-so-French. Dress it up, dress it down, it always fits. The best are from the brands Petit Bateau and Saint James.

Find more oh-so-French fashions at these top Paris clothing stores.

5. Sweet French Treats

Yes, of course, you could just pop into Ladurée, buy a set of macarons, and everybody would love you for it. But how about giving someone the skills to make their own French pastries? Alisa of Sweet Pea Paris offers courses that teach you—in English—how to make choux, madeleines, chocolate mousse, and more of those French desserts that your taste buds have taken a fancy to. All courses are half-day, so it’s easy to fit this gourmet gift idea in during your trip to Paris.

Learn more about her Champagne & Choux French Baking Class.

6. Paris Prints

The City of Light has been an inspiration to so many artists. Illustrator Sempé captures Parisian life down to the tiniest coffee cup. His drawings of life in the city speak to those who have visited and lived here, and there’s an illustration for everyone. Go to a print shop, such as Image Republic at 36 Rue Bayen in the 17th Arrondissement, and look through their posters, then pick one out and get it framed right then and there for the perfect present.

Or, if you’d like to support Urbansider’s community of Paris lovers, you can also shop several unique Paris prints from our artistic amis in the Urbansider Boutique.

Architect and artist in the 20th Arrondissement, Clément Gy captures the ever-changing urban landscapes of the capital city in his Paris rooftop prints.

Collage artist Helena Pallarés, who created my cool Urbansider portrait, offers her interesting take on Parisian icons, including Serge Gainsbourg, Brigitte Bardot, Victor Hugo, Anaïs Nin, and Edith Piaf.

Our friend, artist Anthony Tambourini, makes beautiful pen drawings of iconic addresses. Order one of his Paris café prints to add a touch of the Parisian lifestyle to your home.

7. Memories of Paris Past

There are some areas of Paris that haven’t changed at all over the last few centuries. Yes, the fashion and modes of transportation have moved on, but otherwise, old photographs and postcards prove that Paris is indeed timeless. Digging through the treasures available at Images & Portraits Fabien Breuvart (37 Rue Charlot, 75003, next to the Marché des Enfants Rouges) is almost more fun than owning one of the treasures you’re sure to find.

Looking for more Paris-themed gift ideas? Shop our hand-picked selection of authentic Parisian products in the Urbansider Boutique!