Do you love chocolate as much as you love Paris? Moi aussi, so make sure you’ve read these tips on the most indulgent ways to combine that sweet tooth with culture and relaxation in the French capital:
- Visit the annual Salon du Chocolat
Every year around October/November, Porte de Versailles on the edge of Paris holds the most amazing week-long chocolate fair… the largest event of its kind in the WORLD. It’s attended by chocolatiers from France and as far afield as Vietnam, Japan and Peru (see the listings on the website for the latest information). In addition to talks, workshops, demonstrations and – even more importantly – tastings, there are some incredible chocolate sculptures and my personal favourite, the chocolate fashion show to round off your visit.
- Explore the Choco Story chocolate museum
I stumbled across this en route to somewhere else on my last trip to Paris and couldn’t believe that I hadn’t already been there. It was closed for the night, which gives me the perfect excuse to come back soon, but has something for adults and children, presenting some history, ‘all you can eat’ tastings, sculptures, demonstrations and kids’ workshops.
- Treat yourself to a relaxing chocolate massage at Le Spa Dans Le Noir
Familiar with the Dans Le Noir concept? This spa is part of the same company that runs the Dans Le Noir restaurants, where you dine in the dark. Sounds odd, but Dans Le Noir has proved quite successful in appealing to people who want to find out how they might enjoy a meal differently when they can’t see it. The idea is that your other senses become heightened, which makes Le Spa Dans Le Noir equally intriguing. The chocolate massage (for 1 or 2 people) is said to harness the beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa. It’s official, chocolate can actually be good for you.
- Don’t miss Angelina’s legendary hot chocolate
This is as far removed from the watery powdered version sold in supermarkets as it is possible to get. The secret recipe hot chocolate served at Angelina’s tearoom on Rue de Rivoli is a blend of three types of African cocoa, which makes it incredibly rich and definitely one to be savoured. But if all the temptation around means you can’t quite manage one, it’s also available bottled to take away and enjoy later.
- Stock up on gourmet chocolate by Alain Ducasse
If the chef’s Michelin-starred restaurants are out of reach – and even if they aren’t – you can always treat yourself to one of his gourmet chocolate bars or boxes of pralines / truffles / ganaches for a fraction of the price. His ever-expanding list of addresses now includes both the Gare de Lyon and the Gare du Nord’s Eurostar boarding area, which is perfect for last-minute gifts and ideal if you’re anything like me and can’t trust yourself not to eat them otherwise.
- Stay at Hotel du Cadran, the hotel with the chocolate shop inside
What I was going to suggest was the Hotel du Cadran near the Eiffel Tower with its Daniel Mercier chocolate shop in the lobby, but apparently the chocolate shop no longer exists. Quelle dommage!
Feel free to share your own recommendations below.
Eleanor of Angleterre 