Chocolate Greats of Paris
Chocolate Institutions Hold Out Against New Breed of Chocolatiers
Oct 20, 2008
Paris has in recent years been invaded by a “new breed” or “new crop” of artistically expressive artisan chocolate makers, edging out long-time French, Swiss, or Belgian brands, such as Leonidas, Jeff de Bruges, or Godiva. Be that as it may, there are some chocolate Parisian greats which continue to stand out. Highlighted here are the two most talked and written about of Parisian chocolate institutions.
Debauve & Gallais - 30 rue des Saints Pères, 7th Arrondissement Paris; Tel. +33 (0)1.45.48.54.67 -
Set amidst the chic Saint Germain des Pres district, the mythic and majestic Debauve & Gallais chocolaterie is a marvel to behold. Not only is the shop itself listed as a “French Historic Monument”, but Debauve & Gallais were THE chocolate suppliers to the Kings of France (Charles X, Louis XIII, Louis XVI - to name a few) making them the oldest still-existing chocolate makers in Paris; a veritable institution.
Sulpice Debauve was chemist turned chocolate maker, who used his chemist’s sensibilities and applied them to the science of chocolate making. He was joined by A. Gallais, who believed in the healing properties of chocolate. Together they formed a formidable pair and the results have been wowing patrons and accumulating praise and loyal custom for well over 200 years. In the process, Debauve & Gallais have been creating melt-in-your-mouth delicacies not just for the royal set, but also the likes of Balzac and Proust, as well as artists, writers, fashionable locals, celebrities, tourists, and business magnates.
The lovely historic shop was created by the architects, Percier and Fontaine, who were handpicked by Napoleon to design Empress Joséphine’s residence, La Malmaison, including marble columns and a half-moon wood counter. The shop is full of character and old-world charm, exuding the distinction of success rooted in glorious days gone by and fuelled by modern passion.
The chocolate specialities include regal boxed assortments as well as unique individual creations, including Palets Ganaches, Pistoles de Marie Antoinette, Frivoles, and Incroyables. For a mouthful of chocolate wonders and an eyeful of lovely historic architecture, Debauve & Gallais deliver every time.
La Maison du Chocolat – 52 rue François Premier, 8th Arrondissement Paris (several locations around town) ; Tel. +33 (0)1.47.23.38.25 - Though not the oldest chocolate maker in the capital, La Maison du Chocolat has been around a while and is considered one of the great chocolate addresses of Paris, consistently winning the sweet tooths and hearts of Parisians and tourists alike.
The story started in 1955, when Robert Linxe opened his first boutique in Paris, “Marquis de Presles”, before selling to Gaston Lenôtre in 1977 and establishing the first Maison du Chocolat shop. Linxe’s exacting standards and scrumptious creations earned him the distinction of becoming one of the great chocolate-craftsmen of Paris.
As well as award-winning truffes (champagne, nature, café, apricot, etc.), chocolate squares, and friandises chocolat, there are beautiful and stylish boxed assortments and new innovative flavours added regularly to complement the tried and true. The sleek-lined and tastefully-decorated stores are filled with eye-catching displays and mouth-watering temptations.
Several locations are scattered throughout the fashionable arrondissements of the city, with the main shop being near the Champs Elysees on rue François Premier. A relatively newly opened and well-located store can be found in the Carrousel de Louvre – perfect for indulging before or after a trip to the museum and great for gifts for loved ones near and far or a souvenir to take back home.
La Maison du Chocolat also offers a Parcours Initiatique tasting and workshop session (in French) several times a month at the Paris shop, which can be available for groups in English with advance reservations.
Love for chocolate is here to stay. In fact, it is such a huge draw that more and more tourist offices, Tour Operators, and aficionados are offering Paris Chocolate Tours, including tastings, visits, and classes. All in all, Paris is truly a chocolate-lovers paradise and with chocolate greats like Debauve & Gallais and La Maison du Chocolat, it will remain so.
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