By Elizabeth Baker
Paris offers tourists culture, fine cuisine and a rich history, but the city also offers some of the best chocolates in the world. When not touring such famous Parisian attractions as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Arc de Triomphe, be sure to visit these chocolate shops, which employ a wide variety of flavors, shapes and textures in their chocolates.
Patrick Roger
Patrick Roger chocolates are considered some of the best in Paris.
Patrick Roger, a famous French chocolatier, opened this Parisian boutique in 2004. In addition, Patrick Roger was awarded Best French Artisan in 2000. The shop sells a variety of chocolates, including ganaches, clusters, rochers and nuggets, using a wide variety of ingredients, from fruit peels to nuts and raisins. Patrick Roger chocolates are also famous for their unique use of spices and flavors--varieties include chocolates made with Sichuan pepper, Earl Gray Tea, lime juice and burnt sugar. The chocolate shop is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, and while Patrick Roger chocolates are expensive, they are worth the extra money.
Patrick Roger
108 Boulevard St. Germain
Paris, France
Tel: 01 43 29 38 42
patrickroger.com
Michel Chaudun
Michel Chaudun is the former head of La Maision du Chocolat, and is considered by many to be one of the world's most popular chocolatiers. His chocolates include traditional chocolates, such as truffles and bars, to whimsically-shaped chocolates, such as chocolates shaped to resemble sauccisions, or sausages. Chaudun also made a chocolate for the Palais de Tokyo which resembled famous performance artist Laurent Moriceau. His shop is a must-see for any chocolate aficionado visiting Paris.
Michel Chaudun
149 Rue de l'Universite
Paris, France
Tel: 33 01 47 53 74 40
Michel Cluizel
Michel Cluizel is a famous chocolatier whose family has been making chocolate since the mid-20th century, when they opened a family-run shop in Normandy, France. Cluizel's chocolates are favored by chocolate aficionados for their distinct and balanced flavors, and the cocoa used in Cluidel's chocolates is specially blended by Cluidel in his chocolatier. The store sells a wide variety of chocolates, from truffles to dark and milk chocolate bars, and whole cocoa beans are also sold at Cluidel's shop.
Michel Cluizel
201 Rue St. Honore
Paris, France
Tel: 33 01 42 44 11 66
chocolatmichelcluizel-na.com
About the Author:
Elizabeth Baker has been writing professionally since 2002, specializing in health, education, food and travel topics. Her work has appeared in "The Claremont Review," "The Bullet," "The Mercury" and "Positive Teen." Baker has a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing from Gettysburg College and is a graduate student in the University of Iowa's nonfiction writing program.
