My 2025 February French Haul (Featuring Citypharma & La Grande Épicerie de Paris Favs)
Pack light so you can bring back your full of French goodies.
It seems like going to Paris in February is becoming an annual tradition (oh if my 16 year old self could imagine that tradions I would make myself).
Last February I went to Paris with my Sister and this year I went with my Mother. I genuinely love going to Paris during this time of year. There is no down time for Paris, like New York and London, it’s a city that will be constantly visited to everyday of the year. Also like the aforementioned cities, good weather of the Spring and Summer months also bring many more tourists compared to in the beginning of the year.
Like any trip, you gotta bring something back for the memz. Now I’m a big mug collector, but when you move transatlantically as much as I did in my 20s, it’s kind of a hard thing to collect (I still have half my mugs in my parent’s garage somewhere). Also my husband told me we cannot fit anymore mugs in our flat (please everyone reading I am in an abusive marriage for that comment alone).
I learnt from my last Paris trip, packing less means bringing back more and Paris is absolutely one of those places like Korea or Japan where you want to leave your suitcase as empty as possible on your way there.
I’ve broken down this list into four sections: Skincare, Kitchen, Food and Things My Mother Got Me/Misc. I hope this brings you some inspiration for your next Paris trip. Make sure to subscribe here on substack for future articles, Merci!
Disclaimer: all opinions are my own and all items were purchased by my own money. None of these products were gifted and I am not being paid to promote any of these items. Sometimes I do use affiliate links in my articles, at of the time of writing none of these products linked are affiliate links.
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Watch Youtube Video Haul
My 2024 French Pharmacy Recommendations
Skincare
For skincare fans, not all pharmacies are built the same. You’re going to want to go to a specific type of French Pharmacy: Citypharma. They're going to have the best prices and selection. Just type it into Google Maps or go to this specific one I went to here in the 6th arrondissement.
1. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Function Dry Oil 100ml from Citypharma €24,89
My favourite thing I’ve learned about in the last year. I found Nuxe Oil constantly on all the French Citypharma must buy lists and for a good reason. Last year I brought back three bottles with me, two regular sized and one body shimmer. While the body shimmer is so glittery and oily it makes me fear for every vintage item of clothing I have, the classic Nuxe Oil is one of my staple favourites beauty products ever.
It smells divine, it smells like wealth to me. The spray is more of a light mist you’ll find it absorbing quite nicely on the skin.
2. Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Cleansing Gel 150ml from Citypharma €14,48
Nothing is more synonymous with French skincare than Caudalie, luckily through the gift of global distribution you don't have to wait for your next trip to France to get your hands on their collection which can be found in Sephora in the US and UK in addition to Harvey Nichols in UK (and probably lots of other places online-god is good).
I have never been a cleanser person, I know, I know we're supposed to washing our face every morning and every night but as someone not super prone to spots on my face I found switching between free samples of cleansers between birthday Sephora points and random gifts from Mums I have never used a cleanser I loved enough to purchase...well until now.
Now I said I don't get spots on my face but as a South Asian person with curly hair I do get spots and ingrown hair irritation well...in other areas. This cleanser has done wonders for topical use everywhere. I have since repurchased this product (and I'll do it again and again). It gently cleanses and makes your spots smaller and even disappear without drying out your skin. Whatever magic they're putting in this bottle is absolutely worth it.
3. Le Petit Marseillais Bath Gel 150ml, from Citypharma €2,78
Let me tell you I've been searching high and low in the UK for a PH neutral body wash and how is it when I go to France at a random grocery shop do I find this one at such affordable price? While this is labeled as a shower gel I love using it in the baths and if you're a woman and also prone to UTIs you know the heavily scented artificial ingredients in many products make taking a lovely bath so stressful. I like Le Petit Marseillais in White Peach & Nectarine and Lait (milk) but they have a whole range of scents that are all dye free.
4. Caudalie Eau de Beauté Beauty Elixir 30ml, from Citypharma €10,89
If you every had the sweet opportunity of hitting a cool mint Juul pod then welcome, this beauty mist will give you the same feeling as clicking in a fresh pod. It's cooling, minty and gives a lovely refresh to your face. I can imagine using this while out, but I mainly use it after a shower but that speaks more to my life than the products uses. I got the smaller 30ml size which I find so perfect for travel.
5. La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Wrinkle Serum, from Citypharma €31,98
This is significantly cheaper in France than in the UK (a quick google and I’ve seen this for as much as £38!) so save some pounds and buy this in France. I haven’t tried this product yet so my review is pending, but after trying A313 and not super loving the feeling or process I’m excited to give another retinol a chance.
6. Patyka Instant Wrinkle Filler 15ml, from Citypharma €31,98
The first French organic skincare brand (according to the woman at Citypharma), this was a free gift for how much we spent, and I’m actually shocked it was so expensive when I looked up the price, especially for such a small amount. I haven’t truly tried this yet so my review on this product is pending, but safe to say this better renew my youth glow for another 5 years at least.
7. Bar Soap from La Savonnerie de Montmartre €15 for 5 bars
There’s something about French soap…truly. I’ve been off body gel for about a year and half now (because have you read all the stuff in there?) and exclusively buy bar soap (don’t worry if you visit my house I, of course, have shower gel for you because sharing a bar of soap with every guest is a little too raw for me.
This soap smells great and lathers better than any other soap I bought in the UK, another sad discovery of something I love that I bought in another country.
Kitchen
8. Chef Kitchen Towel purchased in Montmartre from Le Singe qui Lit, brand is Charvet Editions €24
Always looking for a very chef-y looking tea towel and this one absolutely fits the bill. I would recommend this shop for the most Pinterest style gift. They had lots of fun and simple little gifts to bring back like Macaroon soap and beautiful postcards. We also ended up also getting my sister this super cute croissant handled mug from here.
Yes there are much cheaper souvenir shops around (just look in any direction in Montmartre), but if you’re looking for something more than your Made -in-China-Live-Laugh-Love-Times-Square souvenir, this shop is definitely worth checking out.
9. Glass Jar and Pan Cover from Objects and Home Accessories in Montparnasse €20-25 total
We stayed in Montparnasse for this visit and coming back from our travels on the Metro we passed this little kitchen shop. I also bought a really lightweight stainless steel pan cover (we’ve been using wooden chopping boards as all the pans I bought never came with a lid as a set) that we have been using nonstop since.
10. Tala Mini Tablespoon/Teaspoon Measurement La Grande Épicerie de Paris
Tala is actually a British brand (typical my eye went directly to this) and they the most adorable and cute vintage style baking products and general good use kitchenware. Just have a look at their website yourself. I’ve already purchased even more things from them just by looking at their website for this article.
11. Metal Cup/ml Measurement and Metal Tablespoon/ml Set La Grande Épicerie de Paris
I’ve been looking ‘not looking’ for a good new replacement for my measurement cups. As I also develop recipes constantly and as someone whose American that now lives in Europe I am a firm believer that all recipes should have the both measurements, especially in this global economy people!
I really love a lot about these cups, the streamline design, the slight spout for pouring and, of course, measurements in both metric and imperial.
Food
12. La Truffle Martin Hot Sauce €12,90 from La Grande Épicerie de Paris
I got this for my husband and we have been using this on everything from chicken bites to cheesy eggs. Imagine a truffle forward buffalo sauce and yes its that good. I’m afraid for the day that we run out of this.
13. Bon Bons from La Grande Épicerie de Paris
This is another husband present which I can’t find the link to this but these gummies came in the cutest shapes of a bottle of wine, a croissant and the Eiffel tower-I mean they could not actually be more cute.
14. Chocolat au Lait tendre 41% Le Chocolat de Francais from La Grande Épicerie de Paris €7,95
This chocolate is French made and proud, they are pricey but beautiful (and tasty) and make a wonderful souvenir gift.
15. Rillettes de Canard by Vidal, from La Grande Épicerie de Paris €9,90
Think of Rillette as the better version of pate. It’s a French spread made from shredded, cooked meat that's preserved in fat. It’s absolutely delicious and whenever I find it on a menu in a restaurant I have to get it. In New York the restaurant Cafe Select in Soho has the best duck Rillette one I remember eating. It’s usually served cold and its such a treat, I recommend ordering next time you see it. As I know I’m already a fan I bought this bigger jar and cannot wait to report how good this is.
16. Béarnaise Mustard from Martin-Pouret from La Grande Épicerie de Paris €4,30
I’ve bought from this brand before two different types of mustard and really wanted to try a new type of Orléans mustard. They use stone ground French mustard seeds for this distinct and potent hit. If you like a seed-y Dijon this would be my recommendation.
17. Edmond Fallot Mustard with Truffle from La Grande Épicerie de Paris £10 (UK Link)
Edmond Fallot is an independent, family-owned Burgundy company since 1840 and this truffle mustard is truly great. Really gentle and creamy I’m so glad I took the leap and decided to try this.
18. Bordier Butter (Yuzu, Roscoff Onion, Unsalted) from La Grande Épicerie de Paris
Are you even France-ing if you’re not coming back with French Butter? (Answer: no). I love this butter, I have actually seen and tasted the difference in my own cooking with Roux and Eggs using this butter and I’m going to be very sad when all of this butter runs out (which is fairly soon).
My favourite for toast has be the roscoff onion, it’s like a cooked onion taste rather than something sharp and fresh and is truly one of the best things I’ve put in my mouth. I like using the Yuzu as well for more fresh pairing (Yuzu is Asian Citrus).
Things My Mother Got Me/Misc
It wouldn’t be a trip with my mother if I wasn’t coming home with a bunch of stuff I didn’t ask for. Anyways here’s that section!
19. Map of Versailles Silk Scarf from the Château de Versailles Gift Shop (E-Shop Here)
Honestly this was quite chic and very French to buy a silk scarf.
20. Kitchen Apron from Château Prieuré-Lichine
My mom was in Bordeaux and Lourdes the week previously and brought me back an apron. It’s actually crazy how I never had an apron before this. I’ve been mainly using this as a cute fashion statement prior to dinner parties while prepping food. Otherwise I do a pretty bad job of remembering to use this. I do love how its my favourite colour: black, obviously.
21. Rose, Forest and Myrrh Incense from the Notre Dame Gift Shop (E-Shop Here)
I really love the Myrrh but the other scents are strong strong so unless you’re covering up the smell of something else (which I mean is very valid) I wouldn’t go for the other scents.
Anyways that’s my list! As always, thank you for your readership, it means the world. If you would like to subscribe & follow me for future trips, restaurants and recipes :)