Bringing Home a Piece of Paris

I’m off to Madrid this week for work (manchego!) so I’ve asked a few other bloggers to hold down the fort during my absence. Mina, the co-author of the travelogue “Sending Postcards”, shares some of her favorite keepsakes to prolong the Paris experience long after she’s returned home. 
Admittedly, my time in Paris has been limited – a couple of weeks for a friend’s wedding and a two day layover. While I’m certainly not an authority on the subject of what to do in Paris, there are a couple of things that you can buy in the city that make me pretty happy and, if we’re into the same things, might make you happy too. I’m generally not much of a shopper but I brought a few things home to extend my Parisian experience. I thought I’d share them: 

01 // Maille Mustard //  You can find Maille in most grocery stores around the world these days, but not the special flavoured kind. If you love moutarde, you can’t miss the Maille Store which is filled with dozens of variations of the common condiment. I wholeheartedly recommend the Figue et Coriandre

02 // Macarons // It’s a cliché, I know, but don’t leave Paris without enjoying a macaron. They are pretty ubiquitous (you can even find them in McDonalds), and I can’t tell you where to get the best one. I’m partial to Ladurée because it was the first time I enjoyed said dessert. Also, the location on Rue Royale is stunning. Don’t even bother going to the other ones. Bonus: It’s nearby the Maille store – two birds with one stone.
03 // Mariage Freres //  This was actually a recommendation from Lindsay and I am so glad she told me about it. I had a delicious brunch there, browsed the tea museum and left with some “Wedding Imperial“, the best tea I’ve ever had.  Just last week, I desperately used the last bit of leaves (powder) in the tin to make one final cup. Woe is me.
04 // Museum Guide Books // Spending an evening in a museum makes me pretty happy. When I return home, I like being able to reminisce, look through photos of the collections, and read about the history. The Rodin Museum in the summer is gorgeous and the gardens surrounding it are even more so. Musée D’Orsay is another favourite.
…and, if you can, go to these places with someone you love:

Thanks, Mina! Head over to her and her husband Alex’s blog Sending Postcards for absolutely gorgeous travel photos (and more of their shots from Paris here).

What are your favorite things to bring home from Paris?