Travelers go to Paris for many reasons, and most would like to “bring Paris home” with them. Here are 10 ways to do just that and which don’t take up much room in your baggage.

1. Buy a new scent before your trip or while in Paris. Your sense of smell is said to be the most powerful memory-inducer of all of your senses. By purchasing a new fragrance and using it in Paris, every time you smell it you will remember cherished memories of your trip.

Before I went to Paris in 1994, I purchased scented sheets by 4711 – similar to Wet Ones, but with fragrance – to help me feel fresh. Now, every time I smell 4711, I remember being at the Eiffel Tower when a young Frenchman struck up a conversation with me, during which he asked me if I have a “bebe.” (I laughed because I didn’t understand him at first. Non!) Naturally, I would recommend a fragrance from a French design house, such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Cacharel or Guerlain.

Take this idea one step further by visiting Perfumerie Fragonard near the Opera Metro (9^th arrondissement): You’ll discover how perfume is made and can make a purchase while there.

2. Buy a flower or a bunch upon your arrival in Paris to keep in your hotel room. Flower merchants are everywhere in Paris. Purchase flowers to keep in a humble cup or glass in your hotel room. Upon departure, slip them in a plastic bag before packing them. Once home, every time you see those particular flowers you’ll think of Paris, and you can keep the dried flowers from your trip in a special place. (NOTE: Check with your country’s Customs Regulations to see if there are restrictions on bringing home cut flowers. If you are a U.S. citizen coming back to the States and your cut flowers have berries attached, you will need a permit, PPQ Form 587, Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products, in order to clear U.S. Customs. Click here for more information.)

3. Try a new wine or drink – alcoholic or non- — while in Paris. I don’t drink much alcohol, though I do like wine. I tried Pinot Noir during my last trip to Paris and found I loved it. It is now my go-to wine.

4. Remember something you ate in Paris that will spark a particularly fond memory of your trip and make it at home. Food doesn’t have to be elaborately made to spark fond memories. While I was in Paris for my latest trip, I made baguette sandwiches with greens, a few vegetables and Maille dressing (the hostel provided the baguette; I bought everything else and kept it in the refrigerator). Whether this concoction is actually French is of no consequence: the sandwich still sparks fond memories of me exploring Paris.

5. Do something out of your comfort zone. After I saw “Cats” in Washington, D.C., I was so over-joyed by the music I climbed onto a bench and belted out a few bars of “Memory.” Sure, I was no Susan Boyle, and my date thought I was a little crazy, but we both laughed about it in fun. While I think of Paris as the capital of sophistication as well as France, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something out of your comfort zone. You will always laugh about it later.

6. Purchase something small in Paris that you will use or look at every day. My top three are a keychain, a refrigerator magnet, and a mug, because I see or use all three every day. Also, I am a collector of mugs, and haven’t broken a mug on the trip home yet. Sometimes looking at the array of souvenirs on tables can be daunting to the eye; that’s why it helps to know what you are looking for.

7. See a French music performer or remember music you heard

on your trip. Many restaurants in Paris play background music; if a song strikes your fancy, ask a waiter who performs it, and buy their CD in Paris or at home. There are also many live music venues, such as Olympia Bruno Coquatrix (in the 9^th arrondissement). See www.parisvoice.com/music for more venues.  Le Basilic in Montmartre played a combination of French music and Barbra Streisand, though I was already in culinary heaven from their food – the music was just an added bonus.

8. See a movie while in Paris. Parisian theatres often offer films in French and in English: take your pick. (Just ask at the ticket counter.) I saw The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (in English), during my last trip to Paris. I didn’t love the movie, but now when I think of it, I am reminded of finding my way in the theatre, which had a different feel from the theatres at home.

9. Purchase a painting or poster and send it home (if need be). While on my first two trips to Paris, I bought lithographs of Paris landmarks and other frame-able artwork, all of which I could fit in my suitcases without much trouble. Artwork is generally something you keep forever, unless circumstances otherwise intervene. Every time you look at it, you will be reminded of your trip.

10. Take a photo of your family in front of an iconic landmark. This might seem an obvious choice, so consider the reason I mention it: Every time you think of or mention that landmark, you will remember the fond memories you made on your trip.

 

Salut!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image of Pink French Bed, “1 Top Ten Bedroom Ideas” by John Dake, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Chanel N5” by Wesley Vieria Fonseca, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Flower Market Beside La Madeleine,” by Tom Flemming, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Wine I,” by Kevin Galens, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Baguette,” by Pearl Pirie, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Singing in the Rain,” by Skip, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Nadiya – La Cigale – 2009,” by Oouinouin, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Pathe logo, “Samen naar Pathe,” by Roel Wijnants, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Riverside Market, Paris” by Faungg’s Photos, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of family at Eiffel Tower, “Mr. Durgesh Pandit and Family at Eiffel,” by ClubMTravel Admin, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Pathe information cited from Wikipedia, “Pathe,” CCBY 2.0.