Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Fall has a flavor, and in the U.S., it's pumpkin spice. From lattes to candles to cereal boxes, that blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves has become a shorthand for autumn itself. Growing up in the States, the return of pumpkin spice meant fall had officially arrived, bringing along cozy sweaters, football games, Halloween decorations, and of course, the first sip of a pumpkin spice latte.
Fall has officially arrived in Paris, but pumpkin spice is not on every corner. There's no big launch date, no endless memes about pumpkin spice latte season, no pumpkin-scented candles stacked in supermarkets. But if you know where to look, there are plenty of options to make fall feel like home.
From Pie Spice to Icon
Pumpkin spice wasn't always everywhere. For decades, it was just a pie spice blend tucked into spice racks and reserved mostly for Thanksgiving desserts. The big shift came in 2003, when Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte. What began as a limited seasonal experiment turned into one of the most successful product launches in coffee history.
Within just a few years, the pumpkin spice latte was no longer just a drink, it was a cultural symbol. While memes across the internet called it "basic", sales only grew, and since its introduction, Starbucks has sold hundreds of millions.
Beyond the Latte
It's not just about coffee anymore. One of the most popular fall orders today is the Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte made with oat milk, truly a Gen Z favorite that often sells out in the first weeks of September. In addition to the fan favorite chai, pumpkin spice matcha makes the ritual accessible for non-coffee drinkers. For those who seek fun, there are now pumpkin spice Oreos, Cheerios, protein powders, scented candles, and even lip balms. In America, autumn doesn't just taste like pumpkin spice, it is pumpkin spice.
The French Exception
Paris, however, tells a different story. Bakeries here don't fill their windows with pumpkin-spiced desserts. Instead, fall seems to be marked by figs, pears, apples, and chestnuts. Pumpkin does appear, but it is usually roasted with herbs or blended into a velouté soup. The idea of mixing pumpkin with sugar and spices feels unfamiliar to many French palates.
There's also the cultural side. In the U.S., seasonal marketing is a major part of how we mark time, limited-edition drinks and products are tied to feelings of nostalgia and tradition. In France, seasonal rituals are rooted in local produce and traditional flavors. While Americans rush to Starbucks for the first pumpkin spice latte of the year, Parisians quietly line up for the first tarte aux figues.
The Hunt for Autumn's Sweetheart
For AUP students spending their first fall in Paris who are wondering where America's seasonal sweetheart hides, there are a few places to start the hunt. The easiest option for AUP students is the Starbucks just a few steps from campus, where you can find the classics waiting for you. For something a little trendier, Good News offers its own pumpkin-inspired drinks as well as other fall-inspired flavors at various locations around the city. If you find yourself wandering around Le Marais, Blackbird Coffee has joined the lineup too, giving pumpkin spice latte fans another cozy spot to sip. And if you would rather DIY your fall fix, Le Comptoir Monin sells pumpkin spice syrup: the perfect way to spice up your own coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate at home.
Then there are the whispers. Word in the elevators is that the Amex sometimes brings around pumpkin spice flavors in October, and this year, it is confirmed. Staff at the Amex have confirmed that pumpkin spice syrup is in stock and ready for use.
Pumpkin spice may not dominate Parisian palates the way it does the U.S. ones, but that's what makes finding it here more fun. For AUP students, it turns into a little seasonal scavenger hunt and a reminder that even across the ocean, autumn can still taste like pumpkin spice and everything nice. There is something nice about finding a little piece of home, even when you are miles away.
