The best chocolatiers in Paris

© Louis Fouquet ©Debauve et Gallais ©Nicolas Ceroni 

Whether they're creative, responsible, or downright chic, perhaps all three, these Parisian chocolate shops have set the bar very high. Here's a (non-exhaustive) overview of the French chocolate gems that have mastered the art of the sweet break, nestled in extraordinary boutiques.

Associated with pastry chef Aurélien Rivoire, Yannick Alléno mixes his 3-starred chef know-how in his gourmet address, which revolutionizes the codes of chocolate making and creates surprise. Result: an avant-garde chocolate mixing ecological obsession and exceptional sourcing, which marks a new stage in the History of cacao with a capital H. The must: calories are limited but not the taste, since the chefs bet on birch bark sugar instead of refined sugar, limited as much as possible. Better for the planet and for the figure!

To absolutely bite into: the unmissable and elegant Stick (from €5.50), at the same time tender, melting but also finely crunchy. We love the boxes that present them to us in multi-colors, but also with the luxurious trompe-l'œil in the shape of vanilla pods, which contain an exquisite chocolate filled with a subtle Tahiti vanilla caviar (from €22).

Alléno & Rivoire, 9 rue du Champ de Mars, Paris 7e from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

25 rue du Vieux Colombier, Paris 6e, from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

35 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9e, from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

© Alléno & Rivoire

Our beloved multi-starred chef is also a choco-addict! To satisfy his guilty pleasure, the maestro of the stoves has partnered with chocolatier-roaster chef Quentin Francis-Gaigneux. The idea? To respect a 100% artisanal and made in Paris manufacturing process. The nec plus ultra of cocoa beans from the four corners of the world is transformed on site into bars and chocolates to bite into thanks to machines found in old confectioneries.

To absolutely bite into: we adore the Mendiant bars (from €14), which come with the most mouth-watering toppings (pistachios, almonds, nougatines, candied fruits…). But also the unmissable and addictive Roc’s (from €17), a mix of dried and candied fruits, puffed cereals and lace crêpe flakes, all coated in dark or milk chocolate, to be consumed without moderation!

Manufacture de Chocolat Alain Ducasse, 40 rue de la Roquette, Paris 11e. Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

©Alain Ducasse 

In the Genin family, chocolate is a passion! Jade, the daughter, has entered the arena of gourmet delights, crafting her first collections in her boutique adorned in white and gold, just a stone's throw from the Opéra Garnier.

Irresistible Treats: Indulge in Jade's fiercely delicious delights, such as her signature Pyramidions (starting from €16), embracing ganaches in a feast of flavors, her rock chocolates (starting from €19) perfect for continuous nibbling, and her spreadable cubes (starting from €20), utterly irresistible.

Jade Genin, 33 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris 2nd. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 7:30 pm.

Formerly the pharmacist to Louis XVI, Sulpice Debauve concocted chocolates to cure the migraines (or indulge the cravings) of Marie-Antoinette, giving birth to the first bite-sized chocolate! Since then, they've been suppliers to French royalty and have delighted Parisians for over 200 years with their own chocolate shop where tradition reigns supreme.

Irresistible Treats: Indulge in the famous Marie-Antoinette's pistoles for a "royal treatment" (starting from €25) or the croquamandes - caramelized almonds coated in chocolate - specially created for Napoleon (starting from €30).

Debauve & Gallais, 30 rue des Saints-Pères, Paris 7th, open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm. 33 rue Vivienne, Paris 2nd, open Monday to Friday from 9:50 am to 2 pm and from 2:45 pm to 7 pm, and Saturday from 10:30 am to 2 pm and from 2:45 pm to 7 pm.

Madame Cacao illuminates Rue du Cherche-Midi with the vibrant yellow of its storefront. This gourmet haven is adorned inside with artisanal Portuguese tiles in yellow-orange tones, presenting chocolate treasures like jewels.

Irresistible Treats: 'Lucien the Rabbit' comes in an XL size filled with a medley of praline mini-rabbits (€55), available in miniature (€14 per 120g bag) and filled with marshmallow like the famous teddy bear (box of 8, €28).

Madame Cacao, 10 rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris 6th. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.

Claude Monet's guilty pleasure was Louis Fouquet's chocolates. This makes Louis Fouquet an institution in Paris for all cocoa enthusiasts. To embark on a gourmet journey in the Golden Triangle, head to the brand new boutique inaugurated between Ungaro and Prada on Avenue Montaigne. So chic, my dear.

Irresistible Treats: Indulge in absolutely insane praline chocolates (starting from €8 per box), adorable chocolate bars to carry everywhere. Special mention for the hazelnut praline milk chocolate bite (€7).

Louis Fouquet, 6 avenue Montaigne Paris 8th. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.

Just steps from the Saint-Martin canal, William Artigue's new boutique attracts passersby with dozens of chocolates displayed in the large window. After honing his skills at Patrick Roger, Jacques Genin, and Arnaud Larher, the handsome chocolatier opened his own shop in late 2023, where his gourmet treasures are crafted on-site. The enticing aroma of cocoa is irresistible from the moment you step in!

Irresistible Treats: A refined selection of permanent and seasonal chocolate candies (€1.50 each, box starting from €25) with ganache, candied fruits, chestnuts, praline, wafer, marzipan, or the terrific sharing bites to keep to yourself (€15)!

Chocolaterie William Artigue, 30 rue Yves Toudic, Paris 10th. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7:30 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 6:30 pm.

Daring to leave everything behind to become a chocolatier? Sandra Mielenhausen and Nicolas Rozier-Chabert took up the challenge. After a career in marketing for her and communication for him, the couple became the new faces of "bean to bar", meaning from bean to bar. A true guarantee of quality and assurance of better traceability. And to enhance their food credibility, the chocolate entrepreneurs settled on rue du Nil, the gastronomic district of Le Sentier, alongside Terroirs d'Avenir and L'Arbre à Café.

Irresistible Treats: The Chuao tablet for dark chocolate lovers (€13.50) and the peanut praline bar, a stylish snack to slip into your bag (€9.50).

Plaq, 4 rue du Nil, Paris 2nd. Open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday from 10 am, and Sunday from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

In just a few years, Edwart has made a name for itself in the Parisian chocolate world. Its brilliant founder, Edwin Yansané, elevates the finest cocoa beans from around the globe with audacity. From mustard seed to cumin to spirits, he loves to surprise with unexpected combinations.

Irresistible Treats: The popcorn praline tablet, a small atomic bomb (€11) and the barrel earth box, unique ganaches made from aged rums and whiskies (€39).

Edwart, 244 rue de Rivoli, 1st. Open Monday from 11 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 8 pm, Tuesday from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 8 pm, Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 8 pm, and weekends from 11 am to 8 pm.

Former computer engineer, Carine Dhers switched from the screen to the tablets. In her workshop-boutique, this committed chocolatier makes certified organic chocolates on-site with the help of people in vocational training.

Irresistible Treats: The peanut sesame dark chocolate and praline tablet (€9) and the jar of macadamia nut spread (€16).

Mon jardin chocolaté, 28 rue Raymond Losserand, Paris 14th. Workshop with direct sales boutique open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.

@monjardinchocolate

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