Best Chocolate in Paris
From a Mayan royal drink to a 20th-century luxury product, the cocoa bean has come a long way to find its second home in Europe!
Although Switzerland and Belgium are best known for their famous chocolate brands, there’s no denying that some of the world’s best chocolatiers are found in France. Bayonne is the capital of chocolate in France, but as one of the world’s great culinary capitals, Paris also has many magnificent chocolate shops worth exploring.
Learn about chocolate in Paris and France and taste the finest chocolate in town during this self-guided Paris chocolate tour in the Le Marais neighborhood.
Workshops and guided chocolate tours in Paris
The Little History of Chocolate in Paris and France
Brought to Spain by Hernan Cortés in 1524, cocoa beans remained under the Habsbourg’s hands until the beginning of the XVIIth century.
In France, chocolate arrived in the luggage of Anne of Austria, daughter of Philip III of Spain, who left her homeland to marry King Louis XIII of France. Simply, Anne and her Court were not ready to renounce their favorite drink!
The taste for chocolate only spread in the Royal Court at the King’s death, at the beginning of Anne of Austria’s regency in 1643. Chocolate, as an imported material, remained a luxury product for a long time, a very rare commodity unknown in the provinces.
Under Louis XIV’s reign, the popularity of drinking chocolate spread to Versailles mainly thanks to his wife, Marie-Thérèse of Austria, also born in Spain. She was a total chocolate fan and used to drink 4 to 5 cups of chocolate daily!
King Louis XIV was not a chocolate amateur, which did not prevent him from ordering the cultivation of beans in the French Antilles. The first official French shipment of cocoa beans arrived in Brest in 1679.
Chocolate’s fame subsequently spread beyond the avant-garde streets of Paris to the rest of France, and it became the beverage of choice for the French upper classes.
In 1770, Marie-Antoinette arrived in Versailles with her chocolate maker, who later received the title of “Chocolatier de la Reine.” Queen Marie-Antoinette liked to drink hot chocolate with a bit of brioche right after waking up and before the toilette. The Queen’s chocolate maker invented new recipes that were softer and more digestible than what was available at the time, mixing chocolate with orange blossoms or sweet almonds. But what Marie-Antoinettte preferred above all was simplicity: chocolate with sugar and vanilla.
It was only in the XIXth century, with the appearance of large factories, that chocolate was democratized, and people began to consume it in the form of bars.
Self-Guided Chocolate Tour in Paris Le Marais
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Where to buy chocolate in Paris? This Paris chocolate walking tour is a gentle two-hour stroll through the Le Marais neighborhood, with its beautiful galleries, historical private mansions, and secluded gardens. Not only will you taste the best chocolates in Paris, but every shop you’ll visit is an attraction in itself!
The closest metro stops to the starting point are Oberkampf (lines 5 and 9) and Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
GOOD TO KNOW:
- In France, you need a minimum of 32% cocoa beans to be called chocolate
- With more than 90 gr per person per year, France is one of the biggest chocolate consumers in Europe
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) concentrates 60% of the chocolate’s worldwide production
- In Africa, more than 500,000 children work on chocolate. They touch 1 USD per day for their work.
1. Chocolaterie Jacques Genin
Jacques Genin is one of the best artisan chocolatiers in Paris. His chocolate shop in the heart of Le Marais offers a very warm decor with exposed beams, wood floors, and leather armchairs.
Enjoy some of the chocolates prepared by the supplier of the greatest Parisian palaces and restaurants: caramels, nougats, marrons glacés, and more.
Address: 133 Rue de Turenne, Paris 3
2. La Maison du Chocolat
Founded in Paris by chocolate maker Robert Linxe in 1977, the Maison du Chocolat shares with the world its love of confectionery and quest for perfection. Now headed by acclaimed Nicolas Cloiseau – Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chocolatier – his team of chocolatiers only uses the best ingredients to create their ganache, pralines, and other treats.
The Maison du Chocolat is well-known for its delicious éclairs: beautiful, delicious, and not expensive.
Address: 14 Rue de Bretagne, Paris 3 (but they have other shops in Paris)
3. Jean-Paul Hévin
Jean-Paul Hévin is one of the best French chocolate makers. He has a long list of awards, including the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in pastries and confectionery.
His Chocolate Bar(re) shop in Le Marais is like walking into a fine jewelry shop, a place dedicated to the cacao Grand Cru. Discover chocolate in tabs, macarons, and pastries of all kinds!
Address: 41 Rue de Bretagne, Paris 3 (but he has other shops in Paris)
4. Chez Mary
Chez Mary, by Mary Quarta, is best known as an ice cream shop. The ice cream is all homemade, prepared directly in the back shop, and only with the best products. And Mary knows how to do it! In 2008, she even won the “cono d’oro,” first prize in an Italian ice cream competition, beating all the big names in the profession.
Apart from her delicious ice cream, which I recommend, Mary has a special place in this list of the best chocolate shops in Paris for her delicious hot chocolate. After the order, it takes her around 10 minutes to come back with your glass of hot chocolate, which can only be a synonym for good quality! She prepares it in the back shop in a simple and artisanal way.
Address: Mary Gelato – Pastrelli – 60 Rue du Temple, Paris 3
5. A La Mère de Famille
This is the oldest chocolate shop in Paris, opening at 35 Rue Faubourg Montmartre in 1761! Since then, A La Mère de Famille has opened other shops in Paris, and its products are also available online.
Among the house specialties, don’t miss the famous praline rocks, the Folies de l’Écureuil, the chocolate to spread, and the Florentins.
Address: 23 Rue Rambuteau, Paris 4 (but they have other shops in Paris)
6. Chocolats François Pralus
The Maison Pralus was founded in Roanne, where Auguste Pralus opened a patisserie in 1948. Actually, he was the inventor of the brioche au pink praline so typical today in Roanne and Lyon!
When he retired, his son François took over the family business, created the chocolate factory, and established a network of stores to sell his range of chocolates and the famous brioche au praline.
François Pralus is one of the few chocolate makers who grows and roasts his own beans to make chocolate from the grown-ups. He also works with the best cocoa beans in the world, so all you have to do is choose a destination for a journey full of flavors.
When you visit François Pralus’ shop, don’t miss his flagship products: the Praluline ©, the Tropical Pyramid, and the Barre Infernale. No spoilers here; you need to try them!
Address: 35 Rue Rambuteau, Paris 4
7. Jadis et Gourmande
Jadis et Gourmande is one of the local’s favorite chocolate shops in Paris, offering delicious and beautiful designs at reasonable prices. The products created by its team of chocolatiers are distinguished by their originality and particularity. Jadis et Gourmande also specializes in custom-made chocolate designs that you can order for special occasions.
In their pretty shops with red façades, there’s also a fountain of hot chocolate, ideal for a quick stop when it is too cold. Yum!
Address: 39 Rue des Archives, Paris 4
8. Patrick Roger
Patrick Roger is a rockstar in the chocolate world who needs no introduction. His striking, atmospheric chocolate shops in Paris offer a glimpse into the imagination of their creator.
Each Patrick Roger boutique has its own theme and given that this particular address is in the “gay area” of Le Marais, you may spot a few details worked into the design.
Indulge in a box of delicious chocolates made with cocoa beans meticulously sourced by Patrick Roger himself. And because wine is never far from chocolate, Patrick Roger also owns a small vineyard in the Corbières region that you can buy in the same shop to create perfect wine and chocolate pairings.
Address: 43 Rue des Archives, Paris 4
9. Pierre Hermé
Pierre Hermé’s chocolate shop in Le Marais is like a little gem where you are invited to indulge yourself. Pierre Hermé is curious about everything, and everything inspires him. But Japan has a special place in his heart, so it’s not unusual to find unexpected mixes, shapes, or flavors that are an ode to the Japanese culture.
Welcome to a gourmet journey where macaron boxes, cakes, and chocolates are at the heart of your desires.
Address: 18 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, Paris 3 (but he has other shops in Paris)
10. Maison Georges Larnicol
Born and raised in Brittany, Georges Larnicol (Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Pâtissier in 1993) is best known for its chocolate sculptures and some of its flagship products like the Kouignette (c) and the Boule à Jojo (c)
Its beautiful chocolate shop in Le Marais is worth a deep exploration. It offers a wonderful selection of chocolates, macarons, fudges, candies, and cakes. Of course, the cakes and sweets from Brittany also have a special place at Georges Larnicol!
Address: 14 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 4
And there you have it, a self-guided chocolate tour in Paris to explore some of the best chocolate shops in Paris. Along this walking tour, you will also pass by Pierre Marcolini – Bruxelles (5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie) and Elisabeth Chocolatier Belge (22 Rue Vieille du Temple) in case you also want to try Belgian chocolate.
