When it comes to souvenir shopping in Paris, the abundance of choices—from budget-friendly trinkets to high-end luxury items—can be overwhelming. In this article, we focus on delightful French sweets that make perfect souvenirs, whether for yourself or for friends. These treats, each steeped in centuries of tradition and crafted across various French regions, embody the essence of French "art de vivre." Not only are they delicious, but many are also beautifully presented, making them attractive keepsakes. Most of these confections have a long shelf life (always check the expiration date), and with prices ranging from just a few euros to under 30€, they offer a fantastic option for buying gifts for family, friends, and colleagues.
We’ve curated a selection of 15 delectable items from the 6th Floor of Galeries Lafayette, a haven for French and Parisian souvenirs. This floor features an impressive range of French sweets and gourmet products. Plus, if you shop at Galeries Lafayette, you can take advantage of our exclusive offer (click here for more details).
Address: 40, Boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris
Transportation: Metro line 7, 9 Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette station / Metro line 3, 7, 8 Opéra station / Metro line 12 Trinité station / RER line A Auber station / RER line E Haussmann-St Lazare
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-20:00 / Sunday & holidays 11:00-20:00
French chestnut spread, known as crème de marrons, is a luxurious spread that embodies the rich, earthy flavors of sweet chestnuts. A beloved staple in French cuisine, this velvety paste is made by slow-cooking chestnuts with sugar and vanilla, creating a smooth and indulgent treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether spread on toast, swirled into yogurt, or used as a filling for pastries and desserts, French chestnut paste offers a taste of the French countryside with every spoonful, making it a cherished delicacy for those who appreciate the finer things in life. The main producing region of chestnut in France is Ardèche, and it's where Clément Faugier chestnut spread is made. It's a very delicious and affordable gift to bring from France.
The French Calisson is a delicate confection that originates from the sunny region of Provence, steeped in history and tradition. These diamond-shaped sweets are made from a smooth paste of finely ground almonds, candied melon, and orange peel, all blended together with a hint of orange blossom water. Topped with a thin layer of royal icing, Calissons offer a unique texture that's both soft and slightly chewy, with a taste that's subtly sweet and fragrant. Often enjoyed during festive occasions, these elegant treats are not just a symbol of Provence’s rich culinary heritage, but also a delightful indulgence that brings a touch of French elegance to any occasion. Le Roy René Calisson is a renowned brand celebrated for its exquisite Calissons, made in Aix-en-Provence.
French caramels au beurre salé, or salted butter caramels, are a beloved delicacy that perfectly captures the rich culinary traditions of Brittany. Made from a harmonious blend of creamy butter, sugar, and a touch of sea salt, these caramels offer a delightful balance of sweetness and subtle salinity. The addition of salted butter enhances the depth of flavor, creating a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is both luxurious and comforting. Often enjoyed as a treat on their own or used to elevate desserts, French caramels au beurre salé are a quintessential taste of France's artisanal confectionery expertise. They usually come in a traditional and unique wooden box.
The chocolat chaud from Angelina Paris is a luxurious and iconic French hot chocolate known for its incredibly rich, velvety texture and intense chocolate flavor. Angelina’s hot chocolate has become a symbol of Parisian elegance since its creation in 1903, drawing locals and tourists alike to the historic tea room near the Tuileries Garden. But you can now enjoy back home thanks to the chocolate in a bottle, a unique recipe combining top-quality African cocoas with traditional craftsmanship, all without preservatives. You just need to slowly reheat the bottle in a bain-marie over low heat to rediscover the inimitable texture of this emblematic old-fashioned hot chocolate, and remember you travel days in Paris.
Les Anis de Flavigny are traditional French candies that have been produced in the village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy for centuries. Dating back to the 9th century, these iconic sweets are made by coating a single anise seed in layers of sugar syrup, resulting in a small, round, crunchy candy with a distinct licorice-like flavor from the anise. The production process takes about two weeks, during which the seed is repeatedly tumbled in large rotating copper basins and gradually enveloped by the syrup. This slow candying method has remained largely unchanged for over a thousand years, making Les Anis de Flavigny one of the oldest continuously made candies in France. Over time, the brand has expanded to offer a variety of flavors, infusing the classic anise candy with natural essences like mint, violet, rose, and orange blossom, while keeping the artisanal approach that made it famous. Each candy is packaged in beautifully illustrated tins, evoking the pastoral charm of the Flavigny countryside. Beloved for their subtle sweetness and nostalgic appeal, Les Anis de Flavigny are not only a French culinary tradition but also a symbol of timeless craftsmanship and heritage.
Palet breton is a traditional French butter cookie originating from the Brittany Normandy regions, known for its rich, crumbly texture and deep buttery flavor. Made with simple ingredients like salted butter, flour, sugar, and egg yolks, these shortbread-like biscuits have a distinctive golden color and a melt-in-the-mouth quality. The iconic La Mère Poulard (a renowned brand and historic restaurant located near Mont Saint-Michel) produces high-quality artisanal biscuits, such as pallets, sold in romantic packaging with beautiful drawings of Mont Saint-Michel.
Marrons glacés are a traditional French confection made from chestnuts that have been candied in sugar syrup and then glazed. They trace their origins back to 16th-century France. The technique of candying chestnuts was perfected in the southern French region of Ardèche, which remains a key producer today. Marrons glacés are soft, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture, offering a delicate balance of sweetness from the sugar and the rich, earthy flavor of chestnuts. The glazing adds a slight crunch before you bite into the soft interior. In France, marrons glacés are often associated with the holiday season, particularly Christmas and New Year. They are a luxurious treat, often given as gifts during Christmas and New Year.
The véritable macaron refers to the traditional French macaron, which differs from the more commonly known Parisian macaron (like Ladurée). This authentic macaron has a simpler, more rustic appearance and is made primarily from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. Unlike the smooth, and filled macarons popularized in Paris, the véritable macaron has a cracked, golden exterior and a chewy, almond-rich interior. It originates from regions like Nancy, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Amiens, where recipes have been passed down through generations, focusing on the natural flavors of almonds without any ganache or buttercream filling.
Nougat is a traditional confection from Provence, known for its chewy or crunchy texture, made from a blend of honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts, typically almonds or pistachios. The most famous variety is white nougat de Montélimar, which hails from the Provence region and is celebrated for its soft, tender consistency and the use of high-quality local ingredients like lavender honey and roasted nuts. Nougat Noir (black nougat), on the other hand, is a simpler and harder variety, made without egg whites. It consists mainly of honey, sugar, and nuts, typically almonds, which are cooked together until the mixture caramelizes into a darker, harder, and crunchier candy. Nougat noir has a deep, rich flavor from the caramelized sugar and toasted nuts, with a more brittle texture compared to nougat blanc.
The gaufre of Northern France, particularly from the regions of Lille and Flanders, is a type of waffle known for its rich, buttery flavor and soft, slightly chewy texture. Unlike the crispy Belgian waffle, the northern French gaufre is often thinner and denser. Traditionally cooked between two hot plates, these waffles are commonly enjoyed plain, with powdered sugar, or filled with local specialties like vergeoise (a type of brown sugar). Even though the best one are of course the freshly made ones, some brands such as La Dunkerquoise sell delicous ones in traditional tin boxes that you can keep for long time.
Biscuit Rose de Reims is a classic French biscuit that comes from the Champagne region, specifically the city of Reims. These iconic pink biscuits are characterized by their crisp, dry texture and subtly sweet flavor and are traditionally enjoyed as a treat with champagne. The biscuits are typically twice-baked, which gives them their distinctive crispness and helps them absorb flavors without becoming soggy. Their charming pink color, which comes from the addition of red food coloring or a light coating of sugar, adds to their appeal. The biscuit’s origins date back to the 17th century, making it a cherished part of French culinary heritage and a popular gift or souvenir from France.
How course, we can talk about sweet souvenirs from France without mentioning Chocolate. Galeries Lafayette has stalls dedicated to Chocolate makers in Le Gourmet building (35 Bd Haussmann, opposite to main building) such as Jean-Paul Hévin, Louis Fouquet, Alain Ducasse, Pierre Marcolini... Apart from these freshly made chocolates, you can also find several brands of packaged chocolate in 6th floor of the main building. such as Le Chocolat des français, Maxim's, Maison Boissier, Lindt, Cluizel Paris... and of course, Angelina, with it's cute tin boxes with "Belle Epoque" atmosphere drawings.
Sablés are a type of traditional French cookie known for their rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture. The name "sablé" comes from the French word for "sand," which describes their sandy, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. Originating from the region of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, these cookies are made with simple ingredients such as flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, often without any leavening agents, which helps achieve their delicate, crumbly texture. The French brand la Sablésienne, based in the town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, is a renowned French brand specializing in artisanal sablés cookies. The brand offers a wide range of sablés, including classic varieties and different flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and almond, all crafted to maintain the delicate, crumbly texture that defines these cookies.
With so many sweets, you will need some tea to prepare the perfect tea time! Mariage Frères is a prestigious French tea house and brand that has been synonymous with luxury tea since its founding in 1854. Based in Paris, Mariage Frères is known for its exceptional blends and extensive selection of high-quality teas sourced from around the world, including black, green, white, and oolong varieties, as well as exclusive flavored teas. The brand is particularly celebrated for its artistry in crafting blends that evoke specific regions, moments, or emotions, with some of its most iconic creations being Marco Polo and Thé à l’Opéra. In Galeries Lafayette you will find a large selection of tea sets from Mariage Frères, elegant gifts to bring from Paris.
Among all the exceptional and high-quality French teas you can find in Galeries Lafayette, we also need to mention Nina's Marie-Antoinette. Thé Marie-Antoinette by Thé Nina’s is a signature blend from the renowned French tea house Thé Nina’s, known for its elegant and historic tea offerings. The original Marie-Antoinette Tea was produced in 1776 by infusing rose petals with apples. The blend features a harmonious mix of black tea infused with flavors of rose, apple, and honey, creating a delicate, floral, and subtly sweet profile that evokes the sophistication and grace associated with the queen. It’s surely the perfect gift for both Tea lovers and Marie-Antoinette fans.
Articles and photos by O'bon Paris Team
GALERIES LAFAYETTE HAUSSMANN 6th Floor
Address: 40, Boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris
Transportation: Metro line 7, 9 Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette station / Metro line 3, 7, 8 Opéra station / Metro line 12 Trinité station / RER line A Auber station / RER line E Haussmann-St Lazare
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-20:00 / Sunday & holidays 11:00-20:00 (Closed on 1st January, 1st May, and 25th December)