What I Brought Back from Paris: Handbags, French Beauty & Boutique Finds
After spending a month back home in France, I returned to California with a suitcase filled with a handful of carefully chosen pieces and plenty of wonderful memories.
Throughout the trip, I did a little shopping everywhere I went. While staying in the South of France, I discovered a few beautiful local finds that I've shared in a separate article. Once I arrived in Paris, however, I finally had the chance to visit many of the boutiques that had been sitting on my wishlist for years.
Rather than filling my suitcase, I prefer taking my time, visiting brands in person, learning more about their craftsmanship, and occasionally finding a piece that feels worth bringing home. Some purchases had been planned for months, while others were completely unexpected discoveries made while wandering through the city.
In this guide, I'm sharing everything that came home with me from Paris, along with the stories behind each purchase, a few shopping tips I picked up along the way, and an interactive map featuring every boutique mentioned throughout the article.
If you're planning your own trip, I hope it introduces you to a few wonderful French brands and helps you plan your own shopping itinerary.
Polène Cyme Mini in Camel Textured Leather
There were a handful of boutiques I knew I wanted to revisit while I was in Paris, and Polène was at the top of the list.
The Cyme Mini had been sitting on my wishlist for quite some time, so I decided to wait until I was back in France to purchase it. Since I now live in California, I was able to take advantage of the VAT tax refund available to visitors from outside the European Union. If you're planning a trip to France and have your eye on a Polène handbag, I'd definitely recommend waiting if you can. Not only are the retail prices lower in France, but the VAT refund makes it an even better value.
I spent quite a while comparing the black and the camel textured leather before ultimately choosing the camel. As much as I loved the black, I knew the warm neutral would pair effortlessly with the creams, linens, and soft earth tones that make up so much of my wardrobe.
One of my favorite parts of the visit was simply seeing the collection in person. The sales associate was incredibly kind, bringing out several styles for me to compare and answering all of my questions along the way. While the Cyme Mini came home with me, the Mokki quickly earned a place on my wishlist, and I left convinced that one day I'd love to add the larger Cyme in black as a work tote.
Planning a visit?
The Paris boutique is incredibly popular, so don't be surprised if there's a queue outside. I had originally planned to visit during the week but happened to walk by on a Sunday just before lunchtime and decided to join the line. Thankfully, it moved much faster than I expected. Once inside, the boutique can feel quite lively, but despite how busy it was, the team remained incredibly welcoming and attentive.
Shop my favorite Polène handbags here and below:
Ateliers Auguste Le Mini Marly
One boutique I couldn't wait to visit during my time in Paris was Ateliers Auguste. Located on Rue de Turenne in the heart of Le Marais, it's one of those boutiques that immediately encourages you to slow down and enjoy the experience.
The team was incredibly welcoming, taking the time to answer my questions, introduce me to different styles, and share more about the craftsmanship behind the collection. It felt less like shopping and more like discovering the brand in the place it calls home.
If you'd like to see inside the boutique and learn more about the brand's story, craftsmanship, and my full visit, I've shared everything in my Inside Ateliers Auguste Paris article and video.
One style I kept coming back to was the Le Mini Marly. I loved its beautifully balanced proportions, timeless silhouette, and practical size. It's elegant without feeling overly formal, making it just as easy to carry with relaxed everyday outfits as it is for dinner or travel. For me, it's one of those handbags that feels effortless, versatile, and designed to be worn for years rather than seasons.
Discover more of my favorite Ateliers Auguste handbags here and below:
Lancaster Paris Clutch
Sometimes the best purchases are the ones you never planned to make.
After wandering around the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries, I stopped into one of Lancaster's Paris boutiques. I'd been browsing a few of their handbags online before my trip, but seeing the collection in person completely changed my perspective.
Almost immediately, this nude pink clutch caught my eye.
Its elegant silhouette, soft neutral color, and surprisingly practical size made it an easy decision. Since returning home, it's become my go-to handbag for weddings, date nights, and special occasions. It's one of those pieces that quietly elevates an outfit without ever feeling overly formal.
As with several of my purchases in Paris, I was also able to take advantage of the VAT tax refund, making it an even better value.
If you're looking to discover more beautiful French handbags at accessible price points, you might also enjoy my guide, 18 French Handbags Under $300: Timeless Styles from French Brands to Discover, I’ve also linked a few favorites here and below:
Fleuron Silk Scarf
After carrying my Fleuron Mini Swann for quite some time, it was such a pleasure to get to visit the boutique in Paris!
I'll be sharing a more in-depth look at my visit soon, but I couldn't resist giving a little preview here. The boutique was absolutely beautiful, and the team was incredibly welcoming. It was such a wonderful opportunity to see the collections in person, explore all of the different colors, and learn more about the brand.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to personalize my Mini Swann with one of Fleuron's beautiful silk scarves. I love how it adds a soft touch of color and gives the bag a fresh new look without taking away from its timeless silhouette.
Inspired by a flower in bloom, the scarf is crafted from 100% silk twill in Lyon, France. The soft colors and delicate design make it incredibly versatile, whether tied around a handbag, worn in your hair, or styled as a neck scarf. It's one of those small details that adds a beautiful finishing touch while still feeling timeless.
If you're already planning to visit Sézane on Rue Saint-Fiacre, I'd highly recommend adding Fleuron to your itinerary as well. The two boutiques are right next to each other, making them easy to visit during the same day.
In the meantime, while you wait for my full boutique guide, you might also enjoy my article Inside the Mini Swann Bag by Fleuron, where I share a closer look at the handbag and some of my favorite ways to style it.
Discover more of my favorite Fleuron handbags here and below:
Sézane Yellow Linen Dress
It took all of a few seconds after walking into Sézane before I spotted this yellow linen dress.
Displayed on a mannequin near the entrance, it immediately caught my eye and, naturally, I had to try it on.
One of the things I always enjoy most about visiting Sézane in person is seeing the colors and fabrics up close. Pieces I'd overlooked online often become favorites once I can try them on, while others help me better understand the fit before ordering in the future.
If you're planning to visit one of the Paris boutiques, I'd recommend going during the week if possible. They can become quite busy, particularly on weekends, and it's not uncommon to find a queue outside.
If this dress caught your eye, you might also enjoy my guide, 18 French Clothing Brands With Beautiful Dresses, where I've rounded up some of my favorite French brands along with a curated edit of timeless everyday, vacation, and occasion dresses.
Shop my current Sézane favorites here and below:
La Bonne Brosse No. 3
For months, I'd been debating whether to invest in a La Bonne Brosse brush.
Rather than ordering online, I decided to wait until I was back in Paris so I could learn more about the different brushes in person.
That turned out to be the right decision.
Before my visit, I was convinced I'd be leaving with the No. 1. After speaking with one of the sales associates about my hair and sensitive scalp, she recommended the No. 3 instead. It was such a great reminder that sometimes expert advice is worth waiting for!
I also debated between the two sizes. My instinct was to choose the larger brush, but after learning that the smaller size was designed to travel with you throughout the day, I decided it was the better fit for my lifestyle. It now lives in my handbag, ready whenever I need it.
I chose the ivory color and couldn't be happier with it. I also decided to bring home one of La Bonne Brosse's silk-lined travel pouches to protect it while it's in my bag. I loved the idea of keeping the brush clean and protected rather than letting it sit loose at the bottom of my purse, and it's been a worthwhile addition.
I'll be sharing a much more detailed guide to La Bonne Brosse soon, including everything I learned during my visit and how to choose the right brush for your hair type.
Explore my favorite La Bonne Brosse products here and below:
Officine Universelle Buly & French Pharmacy Finds
Walking into Officine Universelle Buly feels less like stepping into a beauty boutique and more like stepping into another era.
The boutique I visited was quite small, so there was a short queue outside, but once inside I happily spent time exploring the different fragrances and beautifully displayed products.
After a recommendation from a friend, I decided to bring home one of their hand creams. I'd been searching for a luxurious everyday hand cream, and it has quickly become one of those little rituals I genuinely look forward to. It's wonderfully hydrating, and the fragrance feels beautifully refined without being overpowering.
No trip home to France would be complete without a visit to a French pharmacy, either. This time I finally picked up Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive after hearing about it for years. Since my skin is extremely sensitive, I opted for the Sensitive version, while I brought back the original formula for family members who have been using it for years and absolutely swear by it.
If you're only bringing home one French pharmacy product, Embryolisse is still one of the classics I'd recommend starting with.
Shop some of my favorite French skincare favorites here and below:
Two Blouses from La Petite Étoile
Every trip home to France includes at least one stop at La Petite Étoile.
It's become one of my favorite places to find feminine blouses and easy everyday pieces that feel timeless without trying too hard.
This visit was a little bittersweet because the Rue Bachaumont boutique, where I usually shop, was preparing to close. Thankfully, La Petite Étoile still has several other boutiques throughout Paris, so I'll certainly be stopping by again on future trips.
One of the reasons I always make a point to visit is that the brand doesn't currently ship internationally, making it one of those discoveries I look forward to shopping whenever I'm back in France.
I was lucky enough to find two beautiful blouses on sale: one in a soft blue and another in a delicate blush pink. They're exactly the kind of versatile pieces I know I'll reach for throughout the year, whether styled with denim, tailored trousers, or skirts.
If you're looking to discover more French clothing brands that do ship internationally, you might also enjoy my guide, 18 French Clothing Brands for a Timeless Wardrobe, where I've rounded up some of my favorite French labels that you can shop from wherever you are.
Explore My Paris Finds
While nothing quite compares to discovering these brands in person, many of them can also be enjoyed from home.
If a trip to Paris isn't in your travel plans just yet, I've linked everything I brought back with me, along with a few additional favorites from each collection that caught my eye during my visit!
I hope this little edit brings a touch of Paris to you, wherever you are:
Planning Your Own Paris Shopping Day?
One of my favorite things about shopping in Paris is that many wonderful boutiques are just a short walk from one another. To make planning your own itinerary a little easier, I've put together an interactive map featuring every boutique mentioned in this article, along with a few additional favorites I think are worth visiting.
I hope it helps you discover somewhere new on your next trip!
Shopping Tip: Claiming Your VAT Refund
If you're visiting France from outside the European Union, here are a few things I learned during my trip:
Bring your passport or have a clear photo of it on your phone. Many boutiques will need it to prepare your VAT refund paperwork.
Choose your refund method when completing your paperwork. I opted to have my refund credited back to my credit card.
If you're checking a bag with your purchases inside, complete your VAT refund before dropping it off. I kept my purchases in my carry-on, which made the process at Paris-Orly Airport simple in case they needed to be inspected.
At Orly, the process was incredibly straightforward. Before going through security, I simply followed the signs for the VAT refund kiosks, scanned the paperwork I'd received at each boutique, and the process only took a few minutes.
If you're planning to do a bit of shopping during your trip, taking a few extra minutes to complete the VAT refund is well worth it.
Please note: VAT refund procedures can change over time and may vary depending on your departure airport. I recommend checking the official French Customs VAT Refund (PABLO) page before your trip for the most up-to-date information.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, the pieces I brought home from Paris feel less like a shopping list and more like little reminders of the trip itself.
Each one is tied to a boutique I visited, a conversation I had, or an afternoon spent wandering through the city. Some were pieces I had been thinking about for months, while others were unexpected finds that caught my eye along the way.
That is what I love most about shopping in Paris. It is not about bringing home as much as possible, but about discovering brands in person and choosing pieces that will continue to feel special long after the trip ends.
I hope this guide inspires you to discover a few new French brands, whether you're planning a trip to Paris or simply exploring from home!
Looking for more inspiration? You might also enjoy:
With Amour,
M.