Francophiles tend, in our experience, to be either the easiest or the hardest people to shop for. They often have a great variety of interests, but a high bar for quality. The real ones won’t be satisfied with a cheap trinket from a Paris souvenir shop, or a third copy of Le Petit Prince. However, an all-expenses-paid trip to France might be out of your holiday gift budget. So our Editor-in-Chief, Catherine Rickman, has joined forces with Frenchly writers Angelika Pokovba and Philip Ruskin to sniff out the best French-themed gifts for the wannabe Parisian in your life, across food, fashion, beauty, literature, home decor, and more.
Catherine’s Wish List
Murray’s French Cheese Sampler
Murray’s Cheese, the beloved New York institution, knows how to put together a top notch cheese plate. And this year, they have expertly curated three different French-themed cheese sets ready to ship to your door: The Best of France Cheese Sampler ($95), The French Connection ($140), and Taste of Basque Country ($55). Enjoy cheeses like Ossau Iraty, Comté, Morbier, or Chevre d’Argental, alongside treats like Jambon de Bayonne and Creminelli Tartufo Salami.
- $55-95, available at MurraysCheese.com.
MollyJWilk Online Pastry School Classes
MollyJWilk, the Cordon Bleu-educated pastry chef and cookbook author, has built a thriving business teaching French pâtisserie to bakers of all levels out of her charming Versailles home. Recently, she launched the MollyJWilk Online Pastry School, to allow home cooks all over the world to participate in her fun, educational classes. For $28 per month, or $280 for a yearly membership, you can get access to new monthly recipes for regional French desserts as part of her “Pastry Tour de France,” live online classes, and a virtual baking community.
- $28-280, available at MollyJWilk.com.
French Charcuterie at Home by Gilles & Nicolas Verot
French Charcuterie at Home: Terrines, Rillettes, Saucisses, & Patés En Croûte, by the father-son charcutier team of Gilles and Nicolas Verot, is an ideal gift for your friend who loves to cook and is best friends with their local butcher. After all, if your favorite thing to bring to a party is an elaborate charcuterie board, why not learn how to make some yourself? The beautiful illustrations and clear instructions offer a smooth point of entry into the world of French prepared meats.
- $43.46, available at Amazon.com.
Lingopie Subscription
For years, I have been dying on the hill that streaming services like Netflix should give you the option to watch with two sets of subtitles at a time. I know, I know, that sounds like it would crowd out the screen, but I think it would be a fantastic tool for language learners, allowing you to reference both the original language and your own without stopping to look up a word or translate an expression. So I was positively gagged to learn that Lingopie actually offers this service. If you have a loved one obsessed with binge-watching every new French-language TV show that comes out, why not get them a yearly or lifetime subscription?
- $71.88-199, available at Lingopie.com.
Silpat Madeleine Molds
The madeleine mold, as with many single-use kitchen tools, can be a hard purchase to justify—which is exactly what makes it a perfect gift. If you have someone in your life who idolizes Dominique Ansel and can quote Proust from memory, consider getting them a Madeleine mold from Silpat. The French company uses the same material that forms its famous nonstick baking mats to make molds that take the guesswork out of baking. These molds cool faster than traditional aluminum molds, and create perfect, window-display-ready cakes that pop right out without the risk of tearing their crisp shell shapes. This holiday season, leave the sugar cookies to the amateurs.
- $65, available at us.silpat.com.
Le Sud by Rebekah Peppler
If you’re looking for a gift that combines the utility of a cookbook with the stunning photography and aesthetics of a coffee table book, consider picking up a copy of Le Sud by Rebekah Peppler. This gorgeous deep dive into Provençal cooking goes beyond the salade Niçoise to paint an intimate yet expansive portrait of the cuisine of southern France from one of today’s most famous American expat food personalities.
- $24.13, available on Amazon.com.
Angelika’s Wish List
Francis Kurkdijian À la Rose Scented Hair Mist
Few are as synonymous with the Parisian perfume scene as Francis Kurkdjian, creator of the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540, and countless other fragrances. While scents are deeply personal, there’s something undeniably luxurious about receiving a hair mist—an indulgence one is unlikely to purchase for themselves, more inclined to opt for a classic perfume instead. À la Rose (also available as an eau de parfum) has a light and sensual fragrance with a musky floral scent that’s both subtle and exuberant. Perfect for any time of day, you can spray it onto your brush or hair for a delicate touch and refreshed look.
- $80, available at FrancisKurkdjian.com.
Guerlain Eyeshadow Quad
For a festive eye look, Guerlain’s Eyeshadow Quad, with a box designed by Shourouk Rhaiem, offers four versatile shades to create buildable, vibrant looks: a satin burgundy to define the lash line, a soft matte pink for the eyelid, a bold matte red for a dramatic ombré effect, and a metallic copper to brighten the lower lash line.
- $105, available at Guerlain.com.
Atelier Simeon BHIWANI Multi-Tourmaline Necklace
Atelier Simeon’s jewelry showcases quintessential Parisian flair. The fish necklace, a quirky yet elegant accent, features a finely sculpted pendant with detailed scales and a fluid, disjointed form that appears to swim around the neck. The fish eyes are set with colored gemstones on one side and moissanite on the other, symbolizing ocean depth and wisdom. The right eye stone is customizable with various colored gemstones like blue or pink sapphires, while the left always features moissanite.
- $179, available at Atelier-Simeon.com, with a $43 shipping cost to the U.S.
Violette_FR Amour Fou Lip Duo
Inspired by the signature red lipsticks of VIOLETTE_FR’s eponymous founder, the cult favorite makeup designer, the Amour Fou Lip Duo brings together two of the brand’s best-selling lip products in a vibrant, party-perfect shade. The set includes Bisou Balm Amour Fou, a buildable matte lipstick/lip balm hybrid, and Petal Bouche Amour Fou, a long-wearing, highly pigmented matte liquid lipstick. Together, they offer the perfect day-to-night transformation—start with a soft, blurred lip and build to a bold, matte finish. Delivered in limited-edition ‘Onirique’ holographic packaging, this duo makes a stunning gift for anyone on your list (or for yourself).
- $51, available at VioletteFR.com.
Rouje Rami Scarf
Jeanne Damas’ brand Rouje is the place to shop for a picture-perfect parisienne wardrobe. For a fashionista’s ideal gift, look no further than the playful Rami Scarf. This play on a knit sweater shows that your winter staples can be more than just practical—they can be statement pieces. With its whimsical design, the Rami Scarf adds a unique touch to any top or dress, making it a great gift for someone who loves to stand out.
- $115, available at Rouje.com.
Carrière Frères Winter Forest Candle
Carrière Frères, a lesser-known yet distinguished French candle maker, combines modern scents with eco-friendly, refillable candle holders. For the holiday season, their Winter Forest candle evokes the essence of a winter woodland. The scent features a blend of fresh top notes of fir, juniper, and eucalyptus, enhanced by deeper woody accords of cedar and moss—perfect for capturing the rich, aromatic atmosphere of the snow-capped Alps from the comfort of home.
- $85, available at CarriereFreres.com.
“Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life”
Ajiri Aki’s book Joie has become a coffee table favorite. The Paris-based expat, known for her blog Madame de la Maison, is not only a master of table setting. Known for her Instagram and blog about hosting, she is also quite the bon vivant. In this book, she shares a French girl’s secrets to finding happiness—la joie. This book is the perfect gift for someone who could use a little more appreciation for life’s finer moments, French-style. Plus, it doubles as a stunning decorative piece.
- $21.49 (sale price) available on Amazon.com.
Papier Tigre Panneau du Métro Notebook
Papier Tigre, the French stationery brand known for its modern styles, never disappoints. Their new collection includes some standout pieces, like this RATP-themed notebook, or carnet. This A5 notebook, created in collaboration with RATP La Ligne, highlights iconic signs from Parisian metro stations of the Belle Époque, including vintage leatherette seats from first and second class. Inside, it features 96 numbered pages, a 12-month calendar, dotted grids, and an index, combining both practicality and beauty in one unique design.
- $13.25, available at PapierTigre.fr with a $26.50 shipping cost to the U.S.
Marin Montagut Le Tarot de Marseille
Each card in this tarot deck is hand-painted with watercolors, featuring whimsical illustrations inspired by 19th-century engravings that present the joyful, fanciful world Marin Montagut is known for. Crafted with traditional French techniques, the large-format cards are coated and printed by a local Normandy printer, while the edges are gilded by one of the last gold leaf artisans in France near Paris. Housed in a box, this precious set includes a bilingual guidebook (French and English) to help beginners unlock the secrets of divination, offering insight and guidance for any situation—especially this holiday season. A perfect gift for those looking to explore the mysteries of the future, or simply add a touch of magic to their celebrations. Who knows what may arise?
- $69.55, available at MarinMontagut.com with a $47.08 shipping cost to the U.S.
Merci Aluminum Candle Holders
Merci Paris is arguably one of the city’s first concept stores, and it never fails to impress. With an extensive selection of gifts, these contemporary candle holders, inspired by classic bistro designs, stand out as perfect holiday gifts. Available in blue, yellow, white, gold, or grey, they add a vibrant pop of color to any space. Light them during the holidays for a cozy and festive ambiance. Also, it just so happens that they’re the perfect stocking stocker, at just about 10 bucks a piece.
- $10.56, available at merci-merci.com with a $17.98 shipping cost to the U.S.
Sézane Trudy Jumper
Where would the holidays be without the perfect pull, or sweater? Sézane, the go-to for modern French fashion worldwide, offers the Trudy Jumper as an option. This French mohair and wool Breton-style jumper features a slightly raised neckline with a button placket fastening on the shoulder, plus a beaded rib knit for extra charm. It’s the perfect piece to dress up or down, and will keep you cozy through those chilly holiday nights.
- $150, available at sezane.com.
Philip’s Wish List
The French Ingredient: A Memoir by Jane Bertsch
What better gift for the Francophile in one’s life than the charming memoir of an expat in Paris who’s living the dream? Jane Bertch’s The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time is part life lessons, part personal memoir, part invaluable guide to navigating wonderful and sometimes maddening Parisians, and all pleasure reading. [Another great gift for your traveling Francophile in your life is a cooking class at Bertch’s magnificent La Cuisine Paris cooking school to learn how to make French pastries and other authentic French fare.)
- $19.39, available at Amazon.com.
Tin of Sablés Bretons
Most regions of France have an iconic local food associated with them that creates a taste of place. The Sablé Breton (Breton shortbread cookie) is arguably the sweet treat that most brings to mind its namesake coastal region. The Quimper tin (recreating the region’s artisanal hand-painted pottery) alone would make a splendid gift, but the fact that it comes packed with forty-eight of these buttery cookies ups the game considerably.
- $28, available at MenusandMusic.com.
Angelina’s Hot Chocolate
If you’re a connoisseur of Chocolat Chaud (hot chocolate), chances are you’re already familiar with Angelina, the most famous destination for hot chocolate and high tea in Paris. While the ever-growing wait line can attest to the quality of this sanctuary of sweets, North American Francophiles now have a direct line to many of the brand’s delights via their U.S. outpost. A sixteen-ounce bottle of their rich creamy bottled Chocolat Chaud, made from their signature 120-year-old recipe, makes for a holiday gift not soon forgotten.
- $25, available at AngelinaParisUSA.com.
Parisian Sourdough Starter from 1790
J. Davenport sells what it claims is a 233-year-old dried Parisian sourdough starter (called “Pierre”) that could have “fed the French revolution.” The company, whose motto is “make history, then eat it,” offers up a revolutionary holiday gift idea for Francophile foodies. Each order comes with a booklet that outlines the starter’s fascinating history, as well as thorough instructions for how to revive and grow it, and a 5-star recipe for baking a classic Parisian sourdough baguette.
- $18.83, available at Etsy.com.
Valrhona Cocoa Powder
Having worked with some of the top pastry chefs in North America, I can report that hands-down the best cocoa powder according to these discerning professionals is from Valrhona. It’s sugar-free, 100% cocoa powder, and pure pleasure. While it’s great for baking, this holiday season we recommend you use it for a luscious mug of hot chocolate and let it transport you to Paris, the city of light and dark chocolate.
- $17.99, available at MrMarcel.com.
L’Épicurien Apricot and Raspberry Preserves
Nothing says French breakfast like sitting at a Parisian café, and enjoying a cup of coffee with a classic tartine, a warm out-of-the-oven baguette with a generous spread of French butter and jam. Well, you may not be ready to gift breakfast in Paris, but a pair of preserves from L’Épicurien, in flavors of Strawberry-Champagne and Apricot, can get pretty close (supplying or baking the baguette will be up to you).
- $27 (for two), available at MenusandMusic.com.
Seasons of Impressionism Spiral Calendar
When I lived in NYC I’d often wander the Metropolitan Museum’s vast Impressionist galleries to sooth my wanderlust for France. Here’s a great way to give that French art lover a bit of France all year-long. The Seasons of Impressionism 2025 spiral calendar has 56 illustrations by Impressionist masters such as Monet and Degas, and allows you to keep track of your busy schedule while still taking a moment for reflection in these soothing pastoral scenes.
$19.99, available at the Met Store and at Store.MetMuseum.org.
