I'm just finishing up a chocolate travel guide to the US. The next project is Europe. As much as I would like to travel around Europe looking for chocolate shops, it is financially not in the cards to do the entire country. The internet is not used amongst the little gems as much there as they here. Anyone willing to share the names and locations of any of their favorite chocolate shops in Europe? Thanks! I hope I get lots of responses!

Is the chocolate travel guide free? If not, what are you offering to people doing this legwork for you? Do they get credit in the book, a share of the royalties?

No. Just the generosity of sharing your experience. I'm just looking for names. There's no need to write any information about the place. I'll still be doing the legwork and communicating with the owners. Just like the name of a hotel, a good bistro, a good tour guide....suggestions.

If you are going to be writing a book, keep in mind that Europe is a continent, not a country...

Um, Europe is not a country.

Posting at the same time, Apres_Londee.

Yes, I am aware of that. I meant each country in its entirety on the continent. Wow. Tough crowd today.

How on earth can you write a guide to chocolate shops in Europe if you haven't actually visited them??

I'd say - save up you pennies and go on a fact finding mission . . . .

Thought this might have been a good idea. Going back to the old fashioned way of writing friends overseas...Please disregard this post as I will no longer be checking. I thought this would be as easy as finding out the names of the out of the way cafes to visit when I went to Paris. I guess not.

"<i> I thought this would be as easy as finding out the names of the out of the way cafes to visit when I went to Paris. I guess not.</i>"

You want to go on a trip - we can give you the names of TONS of shops. You can't see the difference between the two??? Well one difference is you actually WENT to Paris, and weren't asking for cafes to write a book about someplace you'd never been . . . .

Here in Germany, you find in EVERY town at least half a dozen shops with homemade chocolates. Usually they are called "Konditorei" or "Café". Very often, they sell local specialities. In fact, a friend of mine who owns a bakery makes chocolates and truffles, about three dozen kinds.

Besides, there are some nationwide chains selling high-quality chocolate, e.g. Leysieffer. The Belgian chocolate shop chains are also popular, e.g. Leonidas (prefered), Ovidias or Godiva.

Le Brin d'Amour, rue des Acacias, La Rochelle
Mon Petit Chocolat, rue des Pins, Valbonne
Les Délices de Caroline, rue de Bonaparte, St-Brieuc
Pour Mes Enfants, rue des Pecheurs, Lyon
L'Exquise, rue des Maronniers, Reims
Le Manoir du Chocolat, allée de la Truite, Narbonne
Chocolat Chocolat, rue des Secrets, Rodez
Ma Surprise, rue de la Bonne Journée, Figéac
Regrette Rien, rue des Oubliers, Fougères
Mon Gôut, rue de la Harpe, Quillan
Je Vous Blague, rue de St-Cirq, St-Cirq

Have fun!