This is a long shot, but maybe someone can help me.
Last year in Paris we toured one day with Michael Osman (I highly recommend him) and he took us into a charming old-fashioned candy store that I would like to go back to, but I don't remember where it is.

It was maybe in the 2nd or 3rd. Arr., and had all the original woodwork and display cases, and the old wooden cashier's booth- very charming, and like stepping back in time.

They had beautiful chocolates, but also things like candied violets in pretty tins.

Anybody have any idea what & where this store is?

Is it possible you're thinking of A la Mere de Famille? It's located on 35 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre (which is in the 9th arrond, *not* Montmartre). It's a very famous sweets shop, dating back to the 18th century, as I recall.

I just looked at the picture on pages jaune and I think it is the one BTilke named. I remember the green doors. We went there with MO too ..great chocs!

That may be it, BTilke-- Thanks very much!

To BTilke :

Bonjour,

Here is a pic of that lovely "boutique" which was founded in 1761 :

http://www.pariscool.com/pages_photo...e_famille.html

"A la Mère de Famille"
35 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009 Paris
Metro "Grands Boulevards" ou "Le Peletier"
01.47.70.83.69

http://www.evous.com/paris/9e/blog/2...-chocolat.html

- "LA PASSION DU CHOCOLAT

Créée en 1761, la plus vieille chocolaterie de Paris vous est sûrement familière... Située à l'angle de la rue du Faubourg Montmartre et de la rue de Provence, La Mère de Famille se fait remarquer par ses vitrines gourmandes : bêtises de Cambrai, Négus chocolat, calissons, marrons glacés, fruits confits, pralines... Tout ici séduit les yeux et comble le palet. Il faut entrer dans cette boutique qui a gardé tout son charme avec ses présentoirs et sa caisse en boiserie, sans oublier les délicieux conditionnement vert et orange des boites.

Selon la tradition, l'établissement doit son nom singulier à une religieuse poursuivie par les sans-culottes pendant la Révolution, qui y aurait trouvé asile." Voilà ! Bon après-midi ! Marie

Thanks, Marie, but I think your message was probably directed to Marcy. I know A La Mere de Famille pretty well, I stayed down the street from it for a week a couple of years ago (what a test of dietary willpower!).

Thanks Marie & BTilke!
That's exactly what I was looking for!

Oh, sorry for addressing my post to you !

To Marcy :

"De rien !/You're welcome !

BTW, one can buy "des violettes confites" on this web site :

http://www.regals.fr/order.htm

http://www.regals.fr/home.htm (the shop)

Crystallised Violet Traditional Box 180 g
Crystallised violet (real petals of violet)
Flowers coated with sugar

You may know that "la fête des violettes" takes place each year in a sweet little villages located in Provence : Tourrettes sur Loup close to Vence...

http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/alpmarit...u/tourtlou.htm

"It's not called "Violet village"for nothing because for over a century this shy pretty flower has been grown in the village. Even today it's one of the main activities in the village. The flower is honored each year on the first Sunday in March with a flower festival, decorated floats and a flower battle"

It's a wonderful store, I agree, in a not charming area, but worth the travel

by the way, check on the hours of operation, last time I tried to go there on a Monday morning, it was closed--don't know if that's all day or not

marcy, I hope this means we are going to get Candy from Paris as a present when you get back ?

Place your orders now, and anyone who's been on really good behavior......

To Elaine,

In France, most shops (small ones) are closed on Mondays... Cordialement. Marie

Merci, Marie
I was aware of that, but I know some places that re-open on Monday afternoons
I don't know if La Mere is one of those.

Bonjour tout le monde !/Hi everybody !

I've just phoned the shop and here are their opening hours :

On Mondays and Saturdays : from 10 am to 07:30 pm

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays : from 9 am to 07:30 pm

They don't close at lunch time. Voilà ! Bonne journée ! Marie

Marie,
That was so sweet of you to check!
Thank you very much!
Merci beaucoup!

De rien !/You're welcome ! Marie

Merci Marie
When I went there last it was probably about 10 or 10:30, perhaps they were just late in opening the shop that day

To Elaine,

Oui, vous avez dû rater l'ouverture de peu ;-) Cordialement. Marie

Je deteste ca!!