Hôtel Montalembert

Discover the Best Gourmet Stores in Paris for Unique Christmas Gifts

Categories : Paris & Saint-Germain-des-prés, published on : 12/9/24

 

Paris, the global capital of gastronomy and elegance, is brimming with gourmet treasures perfect for Christmas gifts. In this guide, explore the finest gourmet shops in Paris, where the art of French terroir meets an unyielding pursuit of refinement. Whether you’re searching for exceptional products, authentic stories, or a tribute to French culinary traditions, these destinations promise an unforgettable sensory journey.

 

 

 

 

A GOURMET GIFT
a taste of French terroir

THE STORY OF FRENCH TERROIR : A TRADITION WORTH SHARING
French terroir is more than just a geographic concept; it’s an alchemy of artisanal expertise, diverse landscapes, and a passion for gastronomy. Gifting a gourmet delight means sharing this timeless tradition, where every product tells a story.

From precious truffles to meticulously aged cheeses, rare spices, and sweet delicacies, Parisian gourmet stores preserve this passion. During the holiday season, they transform into treasure troves, with every shelf inviting you to celebrate taste and conviviality.

 

 

TOP GOURMET STORES
for a gastronomic Christmas

1. LA GRANDE EPICERIE DE PARIS : THE ELEGANCE OF EXCELLENCE

Located in the prestigious Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, La Grande Épicerie de Paris is a temple of gastronomy. Since 1923, this Parisian institution has curated the finest products from around the world while celebrating French excellence.

Indulge in their festive gift baskets, featuring handcrafted jams, rare spirits, artisan chocolates, premium foie gras, or aromatic olive oils. Each item is elegantly presented, turning every gift into a unique experience.

Address: 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
Website: lagrandeepicerie.com

2. PARISIAN CHEESEMONGERS : A TRIBUTE TO ARTISAN CRAFTSMANSHIP

Alléosse: The Pinnacle of Cheese Aging
Master affineur Alléosse is a must-visit for cheese lovers. For over 40 years, the Alléosse family has been aging cheeses in natural cellars in the heart of Paris. This Christmas, choose a carefully curated cheese platter, complete with detailed flavor profiles and origins.

Address: 13 Rue Poncelet, 75017 Paris
Website: fromage-alleosse.com

Laurent Dubois: An Ambassador of Taste
Renowned as a Master Cheesemonger, Laurent Dubois transforms cheese into an art form. His signature creations, like truffle-infused cheeses or fig-and-walnut stuffed mini bries, will elevate your festive table.

Address: 47 Ter Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
Website: fromageslaurentdubois.fr

 

 

THE TRUFFLE
The black diamond of gastronomy

1. MAISON DE LA TRUFFE : CULINARY LUXURY

Since 1932, Maison de la Truffe has been a sanctuary for truffle enthusiasts. Offering truffles in oils, butters, or ready-to-enjoy delicacies, it’s the perfect place to find impressive gifts for your loved ones.

Address: 19 Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris
Website: maison-de-la-truffe.com

2. SIGNORINI TARTUFI : MODERN FLAIR MEETS TRADITION

Specializing in truffles, Signorini Tartufi presents a wide range of innovative products, including white truffle spreads and fragrant truffle-infused honey. These contemporary treats will delight anyone with a passion for intense flavors.

Address: 11 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
Website: signorinitartufi.com

 

 

AUTHENTIC NEIGHBORHOOD DELIS
warmth and tradition

1. CHEZ VIRGINIE : THE PASSION OF AN ARTISAN 

Located in the 18th arrondissement, Chez Virginie is a haven of tradition and authenticity. This cozy store offers artisanal cheeses and local products, with personalized advice from the passionate Virginie herself.

Address: 54 Rue Damrémont, 75018 Paris
Website: chezvirginie.com

2. ARTHUS & JEAN : WINE AND GOURMET PLEASURES

Arthus & Jean is a unique wine cellar that blends a love for wine with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Offering a wide selection of wines, including rare vintage bottles, they also host regular tasting workshops for a delightful experience.

Address: 42 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Website: arthusetjean.com

 

Gifting a gourmet treat for Christmas is sharing a slice of the French art de vivre. From prestigious institutions to authentic neighborhood delis, Paris offers an abundance of locations where every product has a story to tell. Whether it’s exquisitely aged cheese, rare truffles, or a curated gourmet basket, your loved ones will cherish this gastronomic Christmas filled with elegance and flavor.

For a complete Parisian experience, the Hotel Montalembert in Saint-Germain-des-Prés invites you to extend your gourmet explorations in an elegant and warm ambiance. After a day discovering the finest gourmet shops, unwind in our cozy space with a refined tea or a glass of expertly selected wine. Our concierge team will organize your visits, ensuring you leave with a treasure trove of gourmet delights.

 

Hotel Montalembert
at Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Just steps from the emblematic landmarks of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Hôtel Montalembert pulses with the energy of this iconic Paris neighborhood. Here, guests discover a new vision of luxury—warm, refined, and deeply inspired by the Parisian art of living...

Through its architectural features (cornices, woodwork, moldings) and its chic, intimate décor (precious woods, aged brass, colorful leathers, and custom carpets by Géraldine Prieur), interior designer Pascal Allaman has recreated the atmosphere of an elegant Parisian townhouse. This refined style flows throughout the hotel: from the suites with spectacular views over Paris—the Eiffel Tower, the bell tower of Saint-Thomas d’Aquin, the winding streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés—to the spa, designed as a cocoon of softness by Batiik Studio, and the gourmet restaurant, open to the lively rhythm of the neighborhood. Every day, the worlds of politics, media, fashion, art, and literature cross paths here.

A guided stroll through this unique Paris awaits, all within 10 minutes of our luxury boutique hotel.

 

MONUMENTS, SQUARES & CHARMING STREETS
HISTORIC SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

A five-minute walk brings you to the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. With its mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, its porch, nave, and choir are all worth admiring. Nearby, remnants of the medieval abbey recall the district’s centuries-old spiritual and intellectual importance.

Further along, the Church of Saint-Sulpice proudly raises its two imposing towers near the Luxembourg Gardens. Inside, don’t miss the masterpieces by Eugène Delacroix, one of the greatest Romantic painters of France.

 

SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRES
AND THE ARTS

Delacroix himself lived in this neighborhood to pursue his work. On the charming Place de Furstenberg, his former home and studio now house the Eugène Delacroix Museum. Paintings, sketches, and drawings offer a glimpse into the artist’s world. And just across the Seine, his greatest works can be admired at the Louvre (15 minutes away via the Pont des Arts). For Impressionist lovers, the Orsay museum is just a short walk from Hôtel Montalembert.

For contemporary art, the Rue de Seine, Rue Bonaparte, and Rue des Beaux-Arts host the city’s most prestigious galleries, such as Maeght, Jeanne Bucher Jaeger, Perrotin, Daniel Templon, and Saint-Laurent. Meanwhile, smaller galleries on Rue Saint-André-des-Arts, Rue de l’Échaudé, and Rue Mazarine invite discovery and inspiration, offering avant-garde pieces and hidden treasures for collectors.

...TREASURE HUNTING IN SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

Just steps from the hotel, antique shops showcase rare and precious finds. The famous Carré Rive Gauche has long been home to the most renowned dealers. Wander through the streets of Saints-Pères, Seine, Bonaparte, Bac, Beaune, and along Quai Voltaire to be swept away by the district’s timeless charm.

 

THE INTELLECTUAL SPIRIT
OF SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

The soul of 1950s–1960s Paris still lingers here. Camus, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Picasso, Hemingway, and Boris Vian once filled the cafés and jazz clubs. Today, you can still feel their presence at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots (a five-minute walk from Hôtel Montalembert) or at a jazz concert at Le Caveau de la Huchette in the nearby Latin Quarter.

Bookshops are another delight of the neighborhood—whether classic (La Mazarine, famous for rare and antique books) or specialized (Assouline, 7L, La Hune, or Delpire & Co). At nightfall, when the sun sets, the iconic L’Écume des Pages remains open until midnight (and until 9 pm on Sundays).

As a true hub of literature, Saint-Germain-des-Prés hosts a renowned book fair, and Hôtel Montalembert plays its part in the district’s cultural life. For decades, its restaurant has welcomed writers and intellectuals, and from 2008 to 2014 it co-hosted the Women’s First Novel Prize alongside the CNRS research unit Écritures de la modernité.


NIGHTLIFE
AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

Saint-Germain-des-Prés has always been a vibrant district, where evenings can begin with an aperitif, continue with dinner and dancing, and stretch into the early morning hours.

Our suggestion: start with cocktails at the bar of our luxury hotel, dine at the iconic Brasserie Lipp (10 minutes away), and continue the evening at the elegant Prescription Cocktail Club or Germain Paris, known for its DJ sets in a whimsical space designed by India Mahdavi. On summer nights, nothing rivals the pleasure of a rooftop evening at Le Montana under the Parisian sky.

From these inspirations and more, our concierge is at your service to curate your perfect Saint-Germain-des-Prés experience—with Hôtel Montalembert, your intimate 5-star boutique hotel in Paris, as the starting point.

 

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