Bonbons & Boulevards: Discovering Paris Through Chocolate

Patrick Roger is known as much for his bold chocolate sculptures as for his exquisite confections. Each boutique feels like a gallery, where glossy ganaches share space with dramatic, larger-than-life creations in cocoa. His work pushes the boundaries of chocolate, transforming it into both indulgence and art.

Michel Cluizel – Petite Manufacture, Madeleine: Just around the corner from the golden dome of La Madeleine, this jewel box boutique invites you into a world where romance meets refinement. Every creation at Cluizel’s Petite Manufacture is a love letter to cacao—from lush single-origin “plantation” bars to delicate ganaches and pralines crafted with precision and heart. The space itself, with its warm wood accents and intoxicating aroma of chocolate, feels less like a shop and more like a quiet Parisian secret waiting to be discovered.

Jean Paul Hévin crafts chocolate with the precision of a jeweler and the soul of a poet. His Paris boutiques blend elegance and indulgence, offering Grand Cru ganaches, matcha-infused bars, and famously rich hot chocolate. Each visit is a refined sensory experience—where taste, texture, and aroma come together in quiet, exquisite harmony.

Fauchon, on Place de la Madeleine, is Parisian indulgence wrapped in signature pink and gold. Each bonbon is a bite-sized expression of luxury: bold, elegant, and meticulously crafted. With over a century of savoir-faire, Fauchon turns chocolate into a refined affair of taste and style.

Marquise de Sévigné has been weaving chocolate into French history since 1898, named for the 17th-century noblewoman known for her witty letters—and her love of chocolate. With roots in the Belle Époque, the brand blends timeless elegance with tradition, offering bonbons and pralines in signature blue boxes. Today, its Rue Tronchet boutique carries on the legacy of refinement and storytelling in every bite.

Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse – Faubourg Saint Germain: Located on the Left Bank, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse offers a serene escape for true connoisseurs. The boutique is minimalist yet warm, where dark wood, stone, and the scent of roasted cacao set the scene for indulgence. Settle into the café’s corner and sip a silky, bean-to-bar hot chocolate or savor ganaches crafted from rare, single-origin beans—each one echoing Ducasse’s devotion to craftsmanship and flavor. It’s not just a chocolate stop—it’s a slow, luxurious pause in the rhythm of Paris.

La Chocolaterie de Jacques Genin – Le Marais: In the heart of the Marais, this bright, contemporary boutique is a retreat for serious chocolate lovers. Inside, you’ll find delicate ganaches, buttery pastries, and Jacques Genin’s renowned caramels—all crafted with obsessive precision. Sit in the café and indulge in their famously rich hot chocolate, served steaming and velvety, best enjoyed slowly. Every bite here is a moment of calm, elegance, and deep flavor.

Cafés Richard – Saint Germain: Located in the vibrant heart of Saint-Germain, Cafés Richard blends Parisian café culture with refined chocolate indulgence. Known for their rich, 72% hot chocolate—smooth, intense, and deeply satisfying—it’s a favorite for those seeking something beyond the usual espresso. Their chocolate squares, crafted to reflect the spirit of Paris, offer a bite-sized journey through the city’s flavors.

Le Gaspard Bar at Hôtel La Réserve: In the heart of the 8ᵉ, just off the Champs-Élysées, Le Gaspard Bar offers a chocolate experience as elegant as its surroundings. Chef Jérôme Banctel’s signature hot chocolate—created with legendary chocolatier Patrick Roger—is a luxurious affair: thick, velvety, and crowned with vanilla chantilly. Served with hazelnut truffles and golden mini waffles, it blurs the line between dessert and art. This is Parisian indulgence at its most refined.