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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This piece by Susan O’Keefe, manager of content development for National Geographic Expeditions, appeared in the November 2015 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Follow Susan on Twitter @sokeefetrav.

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