What to bring from France: souvenirs, clothes, cosmetics, wine

Travelers tend to take something in the visited countries to remember the trip, but it has become a common tradition to bring various gifts to friends and relatives. Therefore, the question, for example, what to bring from France, is relevant for many tourists. This country is so rich in possible souvenirs and gifts that their choice should be approached thoroughly.

History of tradition

Souvenirs originated from objects used by ancient people in various rituals. Initially, these figures were assigned special magical properties, and today the tourist involuntarily gives any object taken in a memorable place, a special value. So, any souvenirs from France, even a simple stone from the embankment, can become a symbol of happy and memorable moments.

Today, when travel has become the norm of the European standard of life, souvenirs are no longer filled with a deep symbolic meaning. But they continue to be part of the ritual: a person who has returned from a trip is almost obliged to give acquaintances and loved ones at least with small gifts. Otherwise, the value of the journey is reduced, as it were. The choice of souvenirs usually lies in three planes. These are memorable trifles with the symbols of the place (circles, plates, magnets); Local goodies; Practical gifts.

French specialties

Gastronomic term "specialty" is quite applicable not only to the names of food, today it is increasingly used in the vocabulary of travelers. Each country has a set of things, goods and products that convey its uniqueness and specificity. France in this sense is the richest country. It is associated with wines, cheeses, perfume, fashion, art and many other things. Therefore, the question of what to bring from France, can cause difficulties with the search for answers. France is rightly proud of its cuisine, cosmetic and fashion brands, and the products of these industries are worthy of French gifts. In addition, the country is associated with art, so the paraphernalia with the paintings of Monet, Renoir, Pissarro - also a traditional souvenir.

Food

The second most popular reason for buying a trip to France is the national cuisine of the country. Naturally, tourists tend to take with them something tasty and unusual, to please and surprise their loved ones. The first thing that is included in the list of edible souvenirs is cheeses, this became especially relevant in the period when the import of this product to Russia was restricted. The most famous and well-tolerated transportation are roquefort, the more familiar to the Russians, the emmental, the aristocratic camembert, and also the democratic konte and tample. It should be remembered that cheeses often have a very sharp smell, they should be transported in a vacuum bag in the luggage compartment.

Another specialty of France are pâtés, in particular foie gras, truffle pastes. These products often are quite expensive, and their taste is not liked by everyone, so you need to be cautious about such a souvenir.

Confectionery is a very popular gift. The famous Macarons cookies, chocolate, candied violets, candies in colorful boxes are a simple and pleasant souvenir.

Alcohol

Alcohol from different parts of the country became literally a symbol of the regions and a household name. Champagne, cognac, armagnac, bordeaux - all these drinks are real French specialties. Thinking about what to bring from France, many people remember exactly about hot drinks. An excellent gift will be a bottle of the famous champagne Dom Perignon or "Widow Clicquot". For drinkers stronger famous cognacs or sung by Remarque Calvados are more suitable. Often, people buying tickets to France, going to visit the famous wine regions of the country: Bordeaux, Buzet, Cahors, Alsace, Provence. Here you can find the best drinks all over the world. And, of course, it is worth taking a few bottles with you, which will remind you of a wonderful trip.

Cosmetics

France is a symbol of women's beauty. She is an undoubted leader in the production of cosmetics of the best quality. Therefore, French cosmetics - one of the gifts most often brought from the country. Purchase can be made in the luxury department stores in Paris, in branded brand shops or at the airport, in the duty-free departments, in addition, saving money. The world leader in cosmetics sales belongs to three French brands: Chanel, Clarins and Dior. In France, you can always buy new items of brands in branded stores. Prices for products of leading manufacturers, of course, are high, but still in Paris they will be cheaper than in Yekaterinburg, for example. Also worth paying attention to more budgetary brands, which are less famous, but very high quality: La Roche Posay, Bourjois, Biotherm. A good selection of cosmetic brands of the country is presented in Sephora stores, where you can buy sets and the best novelties.

Perfume

The first thing that comes to mind when answering the question what to bring from France is the perfume. In the perfume industry, the country has no competitors. Here are concentrated production of all the best brands in the world, so leaving without a fragrant bottle is almost a crime. The department store Printemps Haussmann is the world's largest perfumery department. Here you can find all the new items, as well as rare specimens from limited series of perfumes. Leaders of the industry, of course, are Chanel, Lancome, Christian Dior. However, it is worth paying attention to less untwisted perfume houses that create fragrances in small series . Caron, JAR, Etat Libre d'Orange - these names are little known in Russia, these are places for connoisseurs. But it is here that you can choose your own fragrance, which will favorably differ against the background of untwisted perfumes.

clothing

For practical clothes, clothes from France are an excellent combination of pleasant and useful. To your relatives and yourself you can bring clothes that will long remind you of the trip. To universal gifts include accessories: scarves, gloves, ties. With them, it's hard to make a mistake in size and color. In addition to the fact that all world fashion brands are localized in France, the prices for their products are not at all democratic, here you can buy high-quality clothes of medium-level brands: Cacharel, Lanvin, Moncler, Plein Sud. The choice of clothes in France is huge, in any department store there are luxury and affordable brands, the main thing is not to be mistaken with the sizes.

Gifts for children

Choosing gifts from France for children, it is worth paying attention to local brands. In large shopping centers, mass-market brands are always represented, which are distinguished by affordable prices and excellent quality. In these departments very often there are different seasonal offers, so buying gifts can not become a ruinous business. Toy stores are a place where it is dangerous to go with children. After all, the range is incredibly wide. For kids, a giraffe Sophie is a perfect gift - a real cult toy of the French, or characters of Disney cartoons.

Gifts for women

The easiest way, it would seem, is to find a gift for ladies in France, because in the country there is a real cult of women. But the choice can create a serious problem. The right decision will be French cosmetics. You can buy a set of miniature packages of cosmetics for perfection or perfume bottles, and any woman will find them an application and will be happy with the gift. A large selection of sets is presented in stores Sephora and Marionnaud. The second most popular gift is clothes from France. If there is no certainty with the hit in the size, then you can choose your choice of costume jewelry, bags, silk quilts. The choice of such goods in France is simply excellent, it is enough to go to any department store or shopping center.

Gifts for Men

A great gift for a man will be expensive French wines. A bottle of cognac or aged wine will please both an expert and a beginner gourmet. An excellent selection of drinks for every taste and purse is offered by the French chain of Nicolas stores, its points are widely scattered throughout the country. A good choice of wines are offered by shops in airports, but there is no need to look for unique drinks here. Also, a close man will certainly be pleased with the quality French toilet water. You can pay attention to the classic brands, for example Dior, or to stop the selection of small production products.

Original gifts

Those who do not want to go through well-trodden paths and want to bring something really unusual from France, it is worth advising to go to small family shops, which are many in the country. You can surprise guests and friends by bringing them anise tincture of pastis or green absinthe, the use of which can be turned into a whole fire-show. Each province has its own unique crafts. Unusual ceramics, glass oil bottles with hand-painted, handmade ornaments, woven baskets for small items - these souvenirs will become a warm reminder of France. A fragrant gift will be a sachet from Provencal herbs or a bottle of lavender oil. Also Provence is famous for its poppy syrup, which can not be found anywhere else. Despite the fact that coffee and tea in France do not grow, local stores offer an excellent selection of these drinks from different parts of the world in an interesting package. You can also buy ready-made sets of local specialties in souvenir packaging.