Send a surprise in Paris
To send a surprise to someone in Paris, post your request on Surprise World and a local Helper can offer to deliver it. Paris is divided into numbered arrondissements and many apartments sit behind a street door with an entry code, so include the arrondissement, the floor and any door code the recipient is happy to share.
Country
France
Time zone
Europe/Paris
Currency
EUR
Official languages
French
Weekend
Saturday & Sunday
Right now in Paris
No helpers here yet
Watch this city to be emailed when a helper joins or a request appears, or invite someone you know in Paris.
Gifting occasions in Paris
Fete des Meres (Mother's Day)
Varies, usually the last Sunday of May or the first Sunday of June
Children often give flowers, a handmade card or a pastry, and families gather for a meal.
Birthdays
Any day of the year
A cake or pastry shared with friends is the usual way to celebrate, often with a handwritten card.
New baby
Any time of year
Friends and family in Paris often send flowers, a soft toy or something practical for the parents.
Surprise ideas
A box of macarons
They are a well-known Parisian sweet that travels well and looks elegant.
A selection of fine pastries
Eclairs, tartlets and mille-feuille are everyday luxuries that make a morning feel special.
A bouquet of peonies, ranunculus or garden roses
Soft, loose bouquets in the French style suit many occasions.
Artisan chocolates
Chocolate is widely enjoyed as a thank-you or a small treat.
A handwritten postcard from your city
A personal note adds meaning, especially when you are far away.
Delivery tips for Paris
- 1
Many Paris buildings have a street door with a digital code and an intercom, so ask the recipient for the code or to be ready to buzz the Helper in.
- 2
Older buildings often have no lift or a very small one, and in France the ground floor is counted as zero, so the first floor is one flight up.
- 3
Apartment entrances sometimes lead into an inner courtyard with several staircases, so share the staircase letter and the name on the door.
- 4
Narrow streets, one-way systems and busy metro lines mean timing varies, so agree a window rather than an exact minute.
- 5
Many small shops close on Sunday afternoon or on Monday, so plan ahead if the surprise needs to be bought locally.
Gift etiquette
In France, chrysanthemums are traditionally associated with remembrance of the dead, so many people avoid them as a gift.
Red roses are generally read as a romantic gesture, so many people choose other flowers for friends and family.
Many people open a gift in front of the giver and say thank you warmly, though some prefer to wait, so a card with a clear message is helpful.
Success stories in Paris
No stories yet. The first completed surprise in Paris can be the first one.
Questions about sending a surprise to Paris
›Can I send flowers to someone in Paris from another country?
Yes. Post the flower surprise with the arrondissement and door-code instructions, and a Paris Helper can offer to bring the bouquet. Choose someone with a good rating and completion record and agree the flowers in chat.
›How do I help the Helper get into a Paris apartment building?
Share the door code if the recipient agrees, or ask them to answer the intercom. Include the floor, the staircase and the name on the bell.
›When is Mother's Day in France?
It is usually the last Sunday of May, but it moves to early June when it would fall on Pentecost. Check the date for the year before posting.
›Do I need to write the card in French?
It is not required, but many recipients enjoy a few words in French alongside your own language. A short, heartfelt note works well.
Send a surprise in Paris
Watch this city to be emailed when a helper joins or a request appears, or invite someone you know in Paris.