In a city famed for its world-class cheese, flaky croissants, and delightful steak frites, Paris should be on every avid foodie’s wish list. But one thing Paris doesn’t get enough credit for is its incredible chocolate shops. It’s a dream location for chocolate lovers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.
The French capital is awash with chocolatiers carefully crafting the finest pralines and truffles. Over the years, I’ve become so enamored with the mouthwatering chocolate offerings that I’ve even added some of them to my Eating Europe Paris food tours.
If you’re planning a trip to the City of Love and are eager to sample some decadent chocolate bars and tasty bonbons, take a look at my picks for the best chocolate shops in Paris!
Photo credit: Edwart Chocolate Shop
Tuck into some delicious and unorthodox chocolate-based treats at Edwart, a quirky French chocolate shop with several locations scattered around Paris. I had the pleasure of visiting the Marais branch and was blown away by the entire experience.
As I stepped into the compact, modern store, I was greeted by Edwin, the owner of Edwart. I’ve never met someone with such passion and enthusiasm for what he does; he shared so many insightful tidbits about chocolate-making and his creative process.
With everything from intriguing Madras curry pralines to candied ginger smothered in dark chocolate available, I was in awe of the blend of classic and original confections.
First up was the milk chocolate hazelnut praline. Soft in texture with a gentle crunch from the nuts and filled with intense, earthy flavors, the taste got better with every bite.
Next on my list was Edwin’s signature thin bonbons, which are made to subtly exhibit each element of the flavor palette. Filled with super sweet, velvet-like ganache, the milk chocolate bonbon was what led me to purchase an entire box to take home.
Edwart (€€) – 17 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris, France – Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Photo credit: À la Mère de Famille
À la Mère de Famille is practically a Parisian institution by now, having been serving up artisanal chocolates since 1761 from its enchanting, vintage-inspired store in the 16th arrondissement.
I couldn’t help but be charmed by the old-school green facade and adorable window displays, and I ventured inside to get a closer look at the chocolate-filled shelves covering every inch of the shop.
Looking at the beautifully presented rows of orange and brown chocolate boxes and colorful candied fruits, I could see why this place was packed with patrons. The specialty boxes caught my eye, and I picked up one of the crunchier collections filled with pralines and dolfentins.
The latter was particularly enjoyable. Made of bitter dark chocolate, floral honey, and sliced roasted almonds shaped into thin discs, the dolfentins were light compared to some of the others, making them far too easy to overindulge in!
À la Mère de Famille (€€€) – 35 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France, Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Photo credit: Jean-Paul Hevin
A must-visit chocolate shop with a pastry chef serving some of the finest baked goods and sweet treats to rival any patisseries in the city, Jean-Paul Hevin is a chocoholic’s paradise with locations across Paris.
I paid a visit to the store in Vendôme after spending the morning in the Louvre, and boy, I wasn’t disappointed. Inside, I was amazed by the shimmering gold walls and the chocolate treats presented so immaculately in radiant boxes that they looked like part of the decor.
Though I often stop by for a hot drink (these guys whip up some of the best hot chocolate in Paris), it’d been a while since I’d tried some of their other cocoa offerings.
The little golden box of truffles looked especially appealing to me and made for the perfect midday pick-me-up. Rich and indulgent, just a few of these melt-in-your-mouth truffles can feel as fulfilling as a dessert.
Underneath the outer exterior of smooth cocoa bean powder was a chewy and slightly sticky center, which was neither overly sugary nor robust. Almost as good as the flavor, the truffles also gave off the most irresistible aroma.
Jean-Paul Hevin (€€€) – côté cour, 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
Photo credit: Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse
Another splendid spot for a cocoa-based delight is Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse. Similar to many of the best chocolatiers in Paris, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse has 20+ stores in the city, though I tend to stick to the branch in the Faubourg Saint-Germain district.
From the always-friendly service to the exceptional quality of the products, it’s easy to see how this store has cemented such a wonderful reputation among Parisians. This simple but sleek chocolaterie also serves superb ice cream if you’re in town during the summer season.
Their Peruvian dark chocolate bar has become my go-to here during my last couple of visits and is always what I reach for when I’m craving high-quality chocolate but don’t fancy something too sugar-filled.
Because this particular bar hasn’t been subject to the extensive grinding and kneading process as most chocolates, it has a little more bite to it. The raw, almost fruity notes of the Peruvian beans shine through, and each bite has a hint of tanginess.
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse (€€€) – 35 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France, Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:300 pm
Photo credit: Debauve & Gallais
Debauve & Gallais has been providing Parisians with dreamy croustillants, chocolate-coated nuts, and unique artisanal bites for over 200 years. I’ve yet to stop by their store on Rue Vivienne, but their Saint-Germain-des-Prés store is top-notch and among the best chocolate shops in Paris.
Sophisticated and elegant, with its wooden interior and marble columns, the store transports me to another era each time I visit. Founded by a pharmacist of King Louis XVI, Debauve & Gallais continues to offer products fit for royalty.
No matter how often I visit, I always stock up on their most famous creation: chocolate coins, which were popular with a renowned French woman, Marie Antoinette. Rumor has it that Debauve & Gallais crafted these thin chocolates to help the Queen take her medication.
Now known as Pistoles de Marie-Antoinette, these tasty, crisp coins come in an array of exciting flavors, though I have two that I tend to go back to. The almond milk edition is mild and light, while the cinnamon kind has a subtle spicy and woody flavor.
If you really want to splash out during your visit, take a look at Debauve & Gallais chocolate sculptures, which look almost too good to eat. Coming in a selection of shapes, including bells inspired by those inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, these make for quite the souvenir.
Debauve & Gallais (€€€) – 30 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris, France, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday, 10:30 am to 7:00 pm
Photo credit: Jacques Genin
Named after its devoted, chocolate-loving founder, Jacques Genin is a gorgeous store in the 3rd arrondissement that has also opened an establishment on the Left Bank.
Old meets new inside the store, as weathered stone walls lie alongside contemporary cabinets of appetizing chocolates and pastries. Over the years, Jacques Genin has become known for its sugar-covered, fruity candies, but the gourmet chocolates continue to be my first choice.
I’ve been particularly fond of the dark chocolate praline and its divine pistachio fillings. There’s something about the citrussy undertones of the Madagascar chocolate that pairs so well with the hints of vanilla from the nuts.
Whenever I’m looking for something a little sweeter, I like to go for one of their milk chocolate pralines. They come in a slew of fabulous flavors, including a cool, crispy mint variety and a lightly sour grapefruit concoction.
Jacques Genin (€€€) – 133 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France, Tuesday to Friday and Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm
Photo credit: Pierre Marcolini
Get your hands on some Belgian chocolates at Pierre Marcolini, a world-famous chocolate shop with five locations in Paris, the most famous of which lies between the Seine River and the Jardin du Luxembourg.
A small but well-stocked store; as I stepped inside for the first time, I was met by a pastel-colored selection of macarons and boxes of pristine chocolates.
Even on the busiest days, the staff here have always welcomed me with a smile, making this spot even more deserving of the praise it gets.
As much as I love their chocolate-covered marshmallows and almond croustillants, the gianduja bars are unbeatable. A mix of chocolate and hazelnuts ground together to form a paste, gianduja is akin to Nutella but tastes even better and is made from natural ingredients.
Luxuriously creamy, silky smooth in texture, and buttery in taste, the flavors and textures of these gianduja bars get me every time (and how filling they can be). Luckily, they come in bite-sized servings, so I never feel too bad about myself and my sweet tooth.
Pierre Marcolini (€€€) – 89 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris, France, Monday to Thursday, 10:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Photo credit: La Maison du Chocolat
Paris is peppered with branches of La Maison du Chocolat, my favorite of which sits on the edge of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, the city’s chocolate epicenter.
Founded by Robert Linxe, a top chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolat now has Nicolas Cloiseau at the helm. Cloiseau has earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chocolatier, the country’s finest chocolate maker, which is a pretty good indication of how amazing this place is.
Every time I visit this store, I can’t help but be smitten by its seasonal creations, freshly made eclairs, and drool-worthy displays. I’m a huge fan of their mini boxes. Featuring two luscious chocolates, these are an excellent way to get a quick fix without picking up an entire tray.
Most of the times I’ve had them, I found a praline and a ganache inside the tiny, bow-covered box.
The praline was filled with a honey-like paste and covered in smooth, milky chocolate. Conversely, the ganache had an acidic, zesty center, enhanced by the deep, sharp taste of the dark chocolate coating.
La Maison du Chocolat (€€€) – 8 Bd de la Madeleine, 75009 Paris, France, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Photo credit: Patrick Roger
Patrick Roger is among the most high-end spots on this list, though the insane quality of the chocolates and the craftsmanship that goes into each creation prove that it is easily one of the best chocolate shops in Paris.
Just a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, Patrick Roger’s boutique store boasts some of the coolest decor out of all the Parisian chocolate hotspots. The floor-to-ceiling tree imagery covering each wall is what gets me every time.
The staff is incredibly helpful and always gives me a rundown of the most popular chocolate varieties at the time of my visits.
Having previously sampled the truffles, pralines, and chocolate-covered almonds, I kept things simple and picked up a bar of milk chocolate the last time I was here.
Proof that the classics can be just as fulfilling as the elaborate, one-of-a-kind offerings, this bar had a remarkably soft and almost fluid consistency. Rich without feeling overpowering and lusciously sweet and creamy, I can’t imagine a better-balanced bar of chocolate.
Patrick Roger (€€€€) – 45 Av. Victor Hugo, 75016 Paris, France, Every day, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
From the dozens of chocolate shops lining the boulevard of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the lesser-known gems in the surrounding arrondissements, few cities can compete with Paris’ extraordinary chocolate scene.
Don’t take my word for it, though; check out these spots for yourself that have every chocolate lover talking at the moment or join one of my Julia Child food tours.
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