Snow Globes: A Very French History
A paperweight, a festive ornament, a collector’s item, a holiday souvenir, and a symbol of innocence, the snow globe is a timeless product depicting the yearnings of an imaginary world. Creating childhood’s wintery dreamland, the snow globe is a perfect example of a magical world that fits in the palm of your hands, suspended in a time different from ours.
Everyone has seen and bought one at one time or another. Mass-produced worldwide, the snow globe has become an emblem of childhood memories and a metaphor for days gone by in literature and on screens.
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Table of Contents
The beginnings
Snow globes, or “boule à neige” in French, likely evolved from glass paperweights popular in the late 1800s. The first documented mention appeared at the 1878 Paris Exposition, described in an American commission report as: “Paperweights of hollow balls filled with water, containing a man with an umbrella…white powder, which, when turned upside down, falls in imitation of a snowstorm.”
At least 7 artisans displayed snowballs at the exposition, suggesting the invention predated this mention. The 1889 Paris Exposition featured the first iconic Eiffel Tower snow globe, commemorating the tower's inauguration and the centennial of the French Revolution. That same exposition helped earn Paris its nickname, the City of Light, thanks to its dazzling display of electric lighting. This solidified snow globes as travel souvenirs throughout Victorian Europe.
From Europe To America
Austrian surgical instrument maker Erwin Perzy accidentally invented modern snow globes while experimenting with materials (glass shavings, semolina) to improve light concentration on a shoemaker's globe. Semolina's slow descent resembled snowfall, inspiring his innovation.
Perzy and his brother Ludwig established their factory in 1905, becoming the first to patent “a glass globe with snow effect.” Their signature snowfall lasts approximately two minutes, unlike inferior imitations.
Snow globes reached America in the 1920s. In 1927, Joseph Garaja patented an underwater assembly line for complete water filling, reducing costs and increasing accessibility. From the 1940s onward, scenes shifted from religious imagery to travel destinations and hotel advertisements.
By the mid-20th century, snow globes became staple American products for advertising and wartime morale-boosting. The 1950s plastic industry revolution further reduced production costs. They declined in popularity during the 1970s-80s (deemed “kitsch and tacky”) but regained collector status from the late 1980s onward.
The form and the function
Globes consist of glass or plastic resin, with miniature figurines traditionally crafted from porcelain, bone, or metal—now typically injection-molded resin or ceramics.
Historical “flitter” (snowflakes) materials included wax, soap bits, metal flakes, ground rice, sand, bone fragments, and meerschaum. Modern versions use glitter or plastic particles.
The liquid must be dense enough to slow particle descent. Historically water-based, current formulations use alcohol-based additives and glycol (antifreeze for glass globes) to prevent cracking from freezing.
Snow globes transcended paperweight replacements, becoming festive ornaments depicting faraway lands. The glass dome creates “a tiny world suspended in time between stillness and movement.” Shaking initiates narrative performance; the falling snow creates an independent fantasy lifecycle, neither replicable nor stoppable, and tipping resets time and begins anew.
Cultural Undertones
Snow globes carry mystical significance in contemporary culture, frequently evoking childhood memories and nostalgia. However, films rarely present them without melancholic undertones. In children's entertainment, they function as enchanting gateways between reality and fantasy realms.
Darker narratives use snow globes as dark-humor elements, representing reality's constraints. Breaking globes symbolize freedom from those constraints and often signal dispersed plotlines. Despite reduced contemporary fascination, snow globes remain ubiquitous tourist items at high-end boutiques and souvenir shops, allowing visitors to carry “blissful” travel memories home.
Where to buy snow globes in Paris
Les Parisettes (10 Rue Gramme, 15th Arrondissement) offers exceptional Parisian monument-depicting souvenirs. For something official, the Eiffel Tower's own boutique at the base of the monument sells a signature line of glass snow globes, so you can bring one home with the real tower still in view.
Christmas markets during French holidays also feature extensive snow globe selections.
Where to buy snow globes in Paris
Les Parisettes (10 Rue Gramme, 15th Arrondissement) offers exceptional Parisian monument-depicting souvenirs. For something official, the Eiffel Tower's own boutique at the base of the monument sells a signature line of glass snow globes, so you can bring one home with the real tower still in view.
Christmas markets during French holidays also feature extensive snow globe selections.
Snow Globes FAQ
Where did the snow globe originate?
The first documented snow globe appeared at the 1878 Paris Exposition, described in an American commission report as a water-filled glass ball with a tiny figure inside and white powder that fell like snow when the globe was turned over.
Who invented the modern snow globe?
Austrian instrument maker Erwin Perzy is credited with inventing the modern snow globe around 1905, after noticing that semolina drifted through liquid the same way snow falls through air.
What is inside a snow globe?
Snow globes hold a dense liquid, historically water and now often a glycol-based mixture, along with glitter that was once made from materials like wax or ground rice and is typically glitter or plastic particles today.
Can you bring a snow globe on a plane?
Yes. According to the TSA, a snow globe under 3.4 ounces can go in a carry-on as long as the entire globe fits inside a quart-sized resealable bag; larger globes must travel in checked luggage.
Where can I buy an authentic snow globe in Paris?
Les Parisettes in the 15th arrondissement and the official boutique at the Eiffel Tower both sell Paris-themed snow globes, and you'll find even more choices at the Christmas markets during the holidays.
Why do snow globes feel so nostalgic?
A snow globe holds a tiny, complete world that never quite changes, which is part of why it shows up so often in film and literature as a symbol of childhood, memory, and the wish to hold on to a single perfect moment.
A little bit more…
- Important info from the TSA for traveling with a snow globe.
How about you? Do you collect snow globes? Or ever bought one as a souvenir? Do share!
AUTHOR BIO
Andi Fisher
I am married to a French man, lived in France for 3 years, and have been to Paris more than 50 times. I am always a tourist so the information, tips, and tricks I share are created to help you!
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Tips
- Flights
- Look for fares using sites like Skyscanner or Expedia.com.
- For France (Paris), coming from the West Coast, I typically fly Air France or United. From the East Coast, I typically fly Air France or Delta.
- If you travel frequently, consider investing in a Priority Pass for access to airport lounges. Not only will you have a spot to relax before your flight and charge your devices, but you can eat and drink for free (without paying crazy airport prices!)
- Accommodation
- I use Expedia.com, Booking.com, and Hotels.com to find lodging. Always check the reviews on TripAdvisor before booking!
- If you want to stay in a rental, look at VRBO and Plum Guide.
- Transportation
- For rental car agencies, try Rentalcars.com. When traveling in Europe, I use AutoEurope to make reservations. They find the best rates and let you compare car rental agencies. I typically book with Sixt.
- For transportation from CDG Airport to anywhere in Paris, consider pre-booking with Get Transfer. It is one way to be stress-free, and you can request an English-speaking driver.
- Tours + Atractions
- I book tours with companies like Viator and GetYourGuide. Both have a wide variety of activities for every travel style. Other companies to look at include Tours by Locals and Withlocals.
- If you’re visiting a city with multiple attractions, be sure to check out a discount pass, such as CityPASS or Go City.
- Context Travel is another option, and they offer more education-based activities.
- If you are looking to buy tickets to attractions, check out Tiquet.
- Don't Forget Travel Photos
- One of my favorite things to do is to get photos taken of me while on vacation. Flytographer is a great option with photographers all over the world.
- Peace of Mind
- It’s important to have some type of travel insurance to cover any unforeseen accidents, illnesses, threats, or cancellations. I always travel with insurance and would recommend SafetyWing, SquareMouth, or Travelex Insurance as good options.
- Should you have any trouble with flight delays to the extent that you feel you deserve compensation, I encourage you to check out AirHelp. I used them, and for 1 claim I got compensated (transparency: a 2nd claim did not, but I was still glad I tried!).
- Planning
- Check out Le Shop for my digital travel planners and Paris planner!
How cool, I did not know this. We love snow globes and have several from our travels.
Snow globes are magical and pretty. I loved learning about the history.
Wow I never knew the history behind snow globes but have always loved them.
This is so neat. I really love snow globes. I want to get more for my home too. They really are very magical.
I really love snow globes, I remember I got a collection of it when i was a child! For me it is so magical!
How cool! I never knew the history behind snow globes. They are certainly very magical.
My friend made a snow globe last year as a gift for our secret Santa, and it was so cute, and I also I had never really thought about making one on my own!
It’s funny isn’t it, seeing snow globes makes me think of my childhood in such a sweet nostalgic way… but I have never really considered the history behind them. Wonderful post as always Andi!