Find the best foodie souvenirs in France
Don't leave France without stocking up on these tasty recommendations from American chef and author David Lebovitz.
Extra room in your new Longchamp bag? American chef and author David Lebovitz, who lives in Paris, recommends some of his favorite edible souvenirs to stock your larder or give as gifts.
And though these goodies hail from different regions in France, they typically are found in Paris food shops at affordable prices (check any Monoprix grocery store), evoking a taste of the country long after you arrive home. Here are six delicacies to bring back to your pantry for a taste of France.
Chocolate: Lyon
Anything from the bean-to-bar chocolate maker Bernachon in Lyon is worth the three-hour train ride from Paris.
Fleur de Sel: Brittany
Standard in French kitchens, this flaky salt is formed by the sea and sun, and hand-harvested from marshes. My favorite: Terre Exotique’s Fleur de Sel de Île de Ré.
Prunes: Agen
Nothing like grandma’s, these partially dried prunes from Gascony are “deeply chocolaty in flavor,” says Lebovitz.
Buckwheat Flower Honey: Brittany
Sample varieties of this golden treat at local markets. Brittany’s musky, buckwheat flower honey is the crown jewel.
Espelette Pepper: Espelette
Ground from chili peppers grown in the Basque countryside, these mild, fragrant flakes enhance most dishes. Try Albert Ménès Piment d’Espelette.
Dijon Mustard: Beaune
Not all Dijon mustards are made with seeds from France. Artisanal Edmond Fallot’s Burgundy mustard always is.
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