In the fourth installment of "Mr. Mickey’s Fabulous Guide To Airport Gift Shops," Paper's Mickey Boardman breezes us through one of his favorite airports, Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG), also known as Roissy Airport.
"Weirdly, Paris has amazing stuff, because they have all this shit shaped like the Eiffel Tower. It's just like, come on.
Even something like a little case with souvenir caramels or cookies—that’s a cute thing someone could put out on their table. Paris is great for that kind of stuff. These "French girl" cosmetic cases, with the pink frilly dresses—I’m not that into, but for someone who likes fashion and has bad taste....
And then there's a Maxim's Bar at Terminal 2F. I love Maxim's. The original is on the rue Royale; it was that kind of a restaurant that was super glamorous back in the day, and now they've opened up branches all over the world. I’m sure they have one in Shanghai now. Brigitte Bardot once came in barefoot. And the fashion set—Pierre Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche—they would all frequent chez Maxim's. I think it's still owned by Pierre Cardin.
They have such weird taste in France. I mean, here's a little Disney toy that looks like a little purse... or is it a puppet shaped like Snow White? They love a good pouch, like pouches shaped like pandas and pigs. It’s very Pylones. Every time I look in the window of a Pylones, I think, I kind of love it, but at the same time I’m horrified.
In the gift shops, you can purchase big Eiffel Tower with liqueur. I just think it’s so good. Like I've said, I love to shop so the idea is happening for me because everywhere you go, these airports are just shop, shop, shop. Every flat surface, there’s some old man in a toga or turban selling toys or chewing gum. I also love foreign snacks, because they make wonderful gifts. For instance, when I'm in New Delhi, I love to get Haldiram's Taka-Tak, which are kind of like crazy Indian Cheetos.
Something foreign or fun, someone else's version of the familiar—it really keeps you interested."
— as told to Jeanine Celeste Pang![]()
In the gift shops, you can purchase big Eiffel Tower with liqueur. I just think it’s so good. Photos and captions by the author
![]()
These "French girl" cosmetic cases, with the pink frilly dresses—I’m not that into, but for someone who likes fashion and has bad taste....
![]()
They have such weird taste in France. I mean, here's a little Disney toy that looks like a little purse... or is it a puppet shaped like Snow White?![]()
It’s very Pylones. Every time I look in the window of a Pylones, I think, I kind of love it, but at the same time I’m horrified.![]()
Even something like a little case with souvenir
"Weirdly, Paris has amazing stuff, because they have all this shit shaped like the Eiffel Tower. It's just like, come on.
Even something like a little case with souvenir caramels or cookies—that’s a cute thing someone could put out on their table. Paris is great for that kind of stuff. These "French girl" cosmetic cases, with the pink frilly dresses—I’m not that into, but for someone who likes fashion and has bad taste....
And then there's a Maxim's Bar at Terminal 2F. I love Maxim's. The original is on the rue Royale; it was that kind of a restaurant that was super glamorous back in the day, and now they've opened up branches all over the world. I’m sure they have one in Shanghai now. Brigitte Bardot once came in barefoot. And the fashion set—Pierre Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche—they would all frequent chez Maxim's. I think it's still owned by Pierre Cardin.
They have such weird taste in France. I mean, here's a little Disney toy that looks like a little purse... or is it a puppet shaped like Snow White? They love a good pouch, like pouches shaped like pandas and pigs. It’s very Pylones. Every time I look in the window of a Pylones, I think, I kind of love it, but at the same time I’m horrified.
In the gift shops, you can purchase big Eiffel Tower with liqueur. I just think it’s so good. Like I've said, I love to shop so the idea is happening for me because everywhere you go, these airports are just shop, shop, shop. Every flat surface, there’s some old man in a toga or turban selling toys or chewing gum. I also love foreign snacks, because they make wonderful gifts. For instance, when I'm in New Delhi, I love to get Haldiram's Taka-Tak, which are kind of like crazy Indian Cheetos.
Something foreign or fun, someone else's version of the familiar—it really keeps you interested."
— as told to Jeanine Celeste Pang
In the gift shops, you can purchase big Eiffel Tower with liqueur. I just think it’s so good. Photos and captions by the author
These "French girl" cosmetic cases, with the pink frilly dresses—I’m not that into, but for someone who likes fashion and has bad taste....
They have such weird taste in France. I mean, here's a little Disney toy that looks like a little purse... or is it a puppet shaped like Snow White?
It’s very Pylones. Every time I look in the window of a Pylones, I think, I kind of love it, but at the same time I’m horrified.
Even something like a little case with souvenir