Where is the best place to buy chocolate in Paris
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:42 AM
#21
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DH and I bought a small sampling of chocolates at Maison du Chocolate a few months ago...we walked along the street tasting, and before we got halfway down the block, without a word, both did a U-turn back to the shop....the saleswoman just smiled knowingly as we ordered a very large box....she was expecting us...!!!
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:46 AM
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Mar 22nd, 2006, 03:33 AM
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I second StCirq on hot chocolate. I've tried chocolat chaud at the Ritz, Café de Flore & Angélina and Angélina's wins hands down (but, yes, exceptionally rich). Thankfully, they give you a pitcher of ice water to drink with it. 
Mar 22nd, 2006, 04:27 AM
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How much shopping will your husband do for you? If you are a true chocoholic like my mother, you will insist he does the following.
My mother knows exactly what her gift is everytime I go to France. During my strolls along the streets in Paris, I will dodge into a chocolate shop and buy a small bag/box with a few pieces. At the end of the trip, I have numerous small bags of chocolate. I then pick up a box of chocolate covered cherrries with the real brandy/cognac inside. Make my usual stop at Angelina's (a must for hot chocolate) round the corner on Rue Castiglione (stop for perfume and facial products at Catherines) for a box of Godiva Belgium chocolate her favorite. (Believe me she can tell the difffence between American Godiva and European Godiva, tried to switch a box once and got caught!) Also I pick up French coffee and those shortbread cookies from Mont St. Michelle. She puts 1/2 Tsp. of Angelina's hot chocolate in her french coffee. I take a shoe size box and place the small individual size boxes/bags and as much of the chocolate as I can in this box for transportation home.
When I get home, I stumble over a very large basket she usually places right in the middle of my steps. I then decorate the basket with all her goodies!
My mother knows exactly what her gift is everytime I go to France. During my strolls along the streets in Paris, I will dodge into a chocolate shop and buy a small bag/box with a few pieces. At the end of the trip, I have numerous small bags of chocolate. I then pick up a box of chocolate covered cherrries with the real brandy/cognac inside. Make my usual stop at Angelina's (a must for hot chocolate) round the corner on Rue Castiglione (stop for perfume and facial products at Catherines) for a box of Godiva Belgium chocolate her favorite. (Believe me she can tell the difffence between American Godiva and European Godiva, tried to switch a box once and got caught!) Also I pick up French coffee and those shortbread cookies from Mont St. Michelle. She puts 1/2 Tsp. of Angelina's hot chocolate in her french coffee. I take a shoe size box and place the small individual size boxes/bags and as much of the chocolate as I can in this box for transportation home.
When I get home, I stumble over a very large basket she usually places right in the middle of my steps. I then decorate the basket with all her goodies!
Mar 22nd, 2006, 06:27 AM
#29
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Wow, parisnow, I want a daughter like you!! 
I've tried chocolates from Cacao et Chocolat & from Debauve & Gallais this trip - both divine. Haven't tried the Jean-Paul Hevin chocolates yet although I've read numerous times that it was the best. Has anyone mentioned Michel Chaudun? Another one I've wanted to try.
I've tried chocolates from Cacao et Chocolat & from Debauve & Gallais this trip - both divine. Haven't tried the Jean-Paul Hevin chocolates yet although I've read numerous times that it was the best. Has anyone mentioned Michel Chaudun? Another one I've wanted to try.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 06:43 AM
#30
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Forgot to mention...all those little bags and boxes are gift wrapped... the French wrap every purchase like this... so my mother delights in the beautiful display of the basket. I think she gets more excited about her basket then my nieces do with their Easter baskets.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 07:02 AM
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Here is a travel story for you.
Before I figured out the shoe box solution, I would carry on all the chocolate in my duffle bag.
Was boarding the plane at CDG and got pulled out of the line on the ramp... my carry-on must have appeared very heavy because I was dragging it... A guard pointed at me and wanted to see what was in my bag. I informed him there was only chocolate and champagne in the bag. Gave me that haughty French look of disbelief, had me place my bag on a table, opened it and started shaking his head. His partner walked over looked in the bag and started laughing. I don't speak French but I think they asked if they were invited to the party.
Before I figured out the shoe box solution, I would carry on all the chocolate in my duffle bag.
Was boarding the plane at CDG and got pulled out of the line on the ramp... my carry-on must have appeared very heavy because I was dragging it... A guard pointed at me and wanted to see what was in my bag. I informed him there was only chocolate and champagne in the bag. Gave me that haughty French look of disbelief, had me place my bag on a table, opened it and started shaking his head. His partner walked over looked in the bag and started laughing. I don't speak French but I think they asked if they were invited to the party.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 07:45 AM
#33
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Debauve et Gallais fan here...hands down. But do try them all! Check out the cost to have D&G sent here and you'll feel much better about the price there!
One mustn't forget the grocery store for chocolate for co-workers and others. The everyday chocolate there is much nicer than what we have here and they will be very happy! Your husband will have more to spend on you at the chocolate boutiques.
One last thing...don't overlook the Pates de Fruits. No, they aren't chocolate! But they are delicious and not commonly found in the US. Oh and another thing (then I'm really done!) I have never found chocolate dipped orange peel here in the States that even came close to that in Paris. If you like it, ask him to bring some of that home too!
One mustn't forget the grocery store for chocolate for co-workers and others. The everyday chocolate there is much nicer than what we have here and they will be very happy! Your husband will have more to spend on you at the chocolate boutiques.
One last thing...don't overlook the Pates de Fruits. No, they aren't chocolate! But they are delicious and not commonly found in the US. Oh and another thing (then I'm really done!) I have never found chocolate dipped orange peel here in the States that even came close to that in Paris. If you like it, ask him to bring some of that home too!
Mar 22nd, 2006, 08:32 AM
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I am a lucky duck - there is a Jean-Paul Hevin on rue Saint-Honoré - one block from my hotel! Think they will mind if I just stop for one piece a day - I am JUST KIDDING - as if I can eat just one!
Mar 22nd, 2006, 08:48 AM
#38
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"all those little bags and boxes are gift wrapped... the French wrap every purchase like this... so my mother delights in the beautiful display of the basket. I think she gets more excited about her basket then my nieces do with their Easter baskets."
I can believe it! That's what I loved about shopping this trip was bringing back all the little gift-wrapped items. Diptyque did the prettiest job of gift-wrapping I've ever seen. Passion d'Avril took care to wrap even the little refrigerator magnets (much prettier than what I've normally seen in the souvenir shops - they look like miniature old travel posters but on a magnet).
"I would HAVE to get all the little boxes gift wrapped so they did not come home with only one little piece of chocolate left in them........."
LOL, Cheesehead! But sometimes even having them gift wrapped is not enough.
"mind if I just stop for one piece a day?"
I tried doing that with Laduree - it just didn't work - too many beautiful flavors too try.
"I have never found chocolate dipped orange peel here in the States that even came close to that in Paris."
Amy40, that's just what I tried! The chocolate dipped 1/2 pieces of orange from D&B & the dark chocolate dipped candied orange peel from Cacao et Chocolat! Mr. Connolly doesn't like anything citrusey but he loved those from Cacao et Chocolat.
Brotherleelove mentioned Fauchon. I didn't get to try that but when I went to Hédiard for tea they gave me little Hédiard chocolates. I tossed them into my suitcase, forgot about them, found them once home & shared them with Mr. Connolly - divinely smooth chocolate - wow.
I can believe it! That's what I loved about shopping this trip was bringing back all the little gift-wrapped items. Diptyque did the prettiest job of gift-wrapping I've ever seen. Passion d'Avril took care to wrap even the little refrigerator magnets (much prettier than what I've normally seen in the souvenir shops - they look like miniature old travel posters but on a magnet).
"I would HAVE to get all the little boxes gift wrapped so they did not come home with only one little piece of chocolate left in them........."
LOL, Cheesehead! But sometimes even having them gift wrapped is not enough.
"mind if I just stop for one piece a day?"
I tried doing that with Laduree - it just didn't work - too many beautiful flavors too try.
"I have never found chocolate dipped orange peel here in the States that even came close to that in Paris."
Amy40, that's just what I tried! The chocolate dipped 1/2 pieces of orange from D&B & the dark chocolate dipped candied orange peel from Cacao et Chocolat! Mr. Connolly doesn't like anything citrusey but he loved those from Cacao et Chocolat.
Brotherleelove mentioned Fauchon. I didn't get to try that but when I went to Hédiard for tea they gave me little Hédiard chocolates. I tossed them into my suitcase, forgot about them, found them once home & shared them with Mr. Connolly - divinely smooth chocolate - wow.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 10:28 AM
#40
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I agree that Jean Paul Hevin is the best I have tried there. Also Laduree's macaroons are to die for. We very often will buy most of our chocolates for friends and co-workers at the local Monoprix...lots of great Lindt bars like Creme Brulee' that you cannot find in the U.S. Also, those Rocher bon bons that are individually wrapped are awesome. Even though I am a chocoholic, I thought I would die at Angelinas drinking that rich hot chocolate WITH a pastry...talk about sugar overload! My friend and I are leading a group of 10 women friends on a shopping trip to Paris this December, and you better believe we will be hitting all of these places to share with them all of these favorites!
