Many of you know I spent the holidays in France and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen some of the things that I love about France (scenery AND food!). One of my favourite places to take photos to share is the supermarket because people seem to LOVE seeing the different products available there.
As I unpacked my bags this trip, I looked upon all the treasures I’d brought back and thought it might make for a good blog post. What DO I bring back from France and why? Well it changes a little each time but this trip, I OBVIOUSLY brought back Haribo candies (^^^). The Orangina ones are our faves 🙂
Also: Carambar. A classic candy that I brought back to use in the photo shoot for my book that took place a couple of weeks ago. You’ll have to wait and see what recipe photo these appear in!
My souvenirs didn’t just include supermarket candies though. We also discovered these delightful local artisinal chocolates from L’Attrape-Rêves which is located in Sauveterre Saint Denis. While we didn’t go to the store itself, we found them for sale at our local Intermarché and also at L’Épicerie Fine de Bernard Lebrun in Villeneuve sur Lot. Created by chocolatier Philippe Jarasson the collection includes dark chocolate ganaches, les Promesses du Pape, fruit fondants, feuilletines, chocolate-coated guimauves (marshmallows), mendiants, as well as grand crus chocolate bars. This box is *almost* too pretty to eat…
At L’Épicerie Fine de Bernard Lebrun, we also found some of my favourite French chocolate – from Michel Cluizel which I buy whenever I see it (not so readily available outside larger cities, I’ve found). I always buy a different bar when I see them! This time I went with a couple of milk bars.
Next, Petit Beurre. Research for the book. Also, delicious.
We always bring back jam of some sort and at L’Épicerie Fine de Bernard Lebrun we found our favourite – Christine Ferber – and a few doors down at another fine food store (La Boutique des Pruneaux) in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, we found “local to us in the Lot-et-Garonne” Favols jams. Great for gifts, great for us!
And of course you didn’t expect me to come back from France without some fun flavoured chips, did you?
I’ve written about my love for French chips before and we brought these back for an upcoming class we’re teaching (L’heure de l’apéro).
Speaking of classes, I always bring back a little something special for my students. Like these fun éclair cases and pearl sugar for my upcoming choux pastry classes…
I’m always on the lookout for fun baking supplies so these guys made it into my suitcase too:
We ALWAYS bring back fleur de sel because, even though it’s much easier to find here now that it used to be, it’s still way cheaper (minus the plane fare, of course!) in France and there are lots more choices…
And here’s the weirdest souvenir we ALWAYS buy that’s not food. Kitchen sponges. Yes, really! I’ve been using these since the mid-1990s when I lived in Paris – they always seemed so chic and glittery. Kinda silly but hey, they’re useful to pack around wine bottles (ahem!).
And while we’re on non-food souvenirs… There’s always some shampoo…
and shower gel in our bags…
(yes that IS madeleine-scented shower gel!)
I always take advantage of buying French books IN FRANCE (so much cheaper) and on this last trip, stocked up on some of the latest Simplissime series.
A fabulous series that I reviewed recently. I’m a huge fan of these books.
And of course, I always stock up on cooking magazines. A few of my favourites…
That’s about it for this trip’s souvenirs…
What about you – what do you like to bring back from your travels?
Amora Mustard and Amora Savora. Creme de Cassis.
Ah I have a few Amora mustard glasses! Interesting you bring Crème de Cassis home – we’re lucky to be able to get that fairly easily (and not too expensively) here. Plus, we’re usually loaded down with Armagnac and wine 😉
Love the orangina Haribro (who knew such a thing existed?) and the smiley heart cookie cutter.
Right? Who could resist? 😉