12 best chocolate shops in Paris to delight your sweet tooth

Paris is a wonderland for chocolate lovers. Start your trip with a chocolate tasting tour in Saint-Germain-des-Prés—the city’s cocoa capital—and marvel at the array of shops with truffles, bonbons, and pralines elegantly on display.

Choose a guided walking tour to learn more about ​​Paris’ rich chocolate history, or get some much-needed chocolate retail therapy. Here’s a sweet roundup of the best chocolates and chocolate shops in Paris—from renowned boutiques to longstanding chocolateries—to pamper your taste buds.

Where: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

When: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Just steps from the Louvre, Angelina is renowned for L'Africain—a divine pudding-like hot chocolate paired with frothy whipped cream. This velvety concoction is incredibly rich and deemed one of the best hot chocolates in Paris. Besides the fact that it’s made from three types of African cocoa, the L'Africain recipe is a closely-guarded secret.

If you’re dining in a group, share other signatures like the meringue-laden Mont-Blanc cupcakes, macarons, or the chewy Paris-New York choux pastry. Plan your rendezvous to this tea salon before popping by the Louvre.

Where: 17 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris, France

When: Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Helmed by 33-year-old Edwin Yansané, you won’t find typical flavors at Edwart Chocolatier. Attend a workshop here and watch how chocolate-making is cleverly done by combining spices and other interesting ingredients. Then, take your taste buds for a ride and savor Madras curry pralines or yoichi (a smoky Japanese whiskey) ganache.

Within the store, there’s also a medley of smooth chocolate spreads. An outstanding choice is Réminiscense—a mix of chocolate and French hazelnuts—or Le Grain made with caramelized hazelnuts and chocolate. If you’re looking for gifts, there are vegan options too.

Where: 231 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

When: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m, closed on Sunday

Situated on the prestigious Rue Saint Honoré, Jean-Paul Hévin’s flagship boutique merits a visit. At some outlets, be greeted by whimsical sculptures like a chocolate-lattice Eiffel Tower or a realistic-looking stiletto heel.

Upon entering the store, swoon at glossy chocolate bars in dark, milk, and hazelnut varieties—some of the best chocolates in Paris. Hévin’s macarons are touted as one of the best in town too. If you’re feeling adventurous, challenge yourself to the pralines with cheese fillings (goat, Roquefort, and Pont l’évêque). They’re definitely an acquired taste.

Where: 108 Boulevard Saint Germain, 75006 Paris, France

When: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Patrick Roger is one of the best chocolatiers in Paris. In 2000, he was knighted with the esteemed Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Today, Roger has made a name for himself through eclectic creations like Amazone (lime-caramel), Rafale (raisin caramel and vinegar), and ginger and Sichuan ganache. He skillfully combines subtle flavors with sublime textures.

Expect the unexpected at his store in Saint Germain. There’s a myriad of rochers and ganaches packaged in trademark teal boxes. Chocolate aficionados should try the liquid caramel half-spheres. The thin chocolate glaze and fruity essence is a match made in heaven.

Where: 40 Boulevard Raspail, 75007 Paris, France

When: Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Behind its elegant storefront, Hugo & Victor doles out a fine selection of chocolate. The muted decor allows the confections to steal the spotlight. Plus, the notebook-style packaging is a lovely nod to the literary-themed boutique.

The half-spheres with fruit caramel are novel choices to begin with. Otherwise, discover interesting pralines with salted caramel, tangerine, and pear fillings. If you enjoy more playful variants, the Earl Grey tea or orange and cloves might pique your interest. They’re specially made the old-fashioned way in a copper cauldron—using almonds from Provence and hazelnuts from Piedmont.

Where: 16 Rue d'Assas, 75006 Paris, France

When: Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed on Sunday

Jean Charles Rochoux’s oak boutique pays homage to all things chocolate. You’ll notice bonbons, pralines, and liquor-filled truffles artfully arranged behind a glass case. For special seasons like Easter, the store is decked with colossal carvings of bunny sculptures, chocolate chicks, and garden gnomes—all crafted at Rochoux’s basement workshop.

The addictive pralines and gianduja-enrobed almonds are best-sellers. If you’re a rum lover, consider the Medan truffle, with caramelized raisins flambéed with aged rum. For those who appreciate a sinful chocolate spread, the homemade hazelnut-praline pate à tartiner is a head-turner.

Where: 133 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France

When: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed on Monday

Lauded as one of the top French chocolatiers in 2010, Jacques Génin is an iconic chocolate-maker, pastry chef, and cookbook author. Drop by his modern franchise and you’ll see artsy square chocolates too pretty to devour.

Made with only high-quality natural ingredients and minimal sweetening, Génin’s confections are mouthwatering, to say the least. The ganache à la menthe uses only fresh mint leaves, while the ganache au miel de châtaignier incorporates local chestnut tree honey. Stop by on weekday mornings (without jostling tourists), and pick up some single-origin bars and chocolate nougats.

Where: 14 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France

When: Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, closed on Sunday

Robert Linxe, the mastermind behind La Maison Du Chocolat, opened his first shop in 1977. The chocolates here are full of surprises, with Asian spices, fresh fruits, and herbal infusions. For those who dislike bitter chocolate, this chocolaterie thankfully never uses more than 65 percent cocoa.

If you’re too spoilt for choice, the rich truffles—plain or flavored—should be your first picks. Some contain champagne while others offer wacky twists like apricot infusion or olives and salt. Chocolate fanatics should tackle their creamy ganaches and premium mendiants (chocolate discs studded with nuts and dried fruit).

Where: 235 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

When: Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed on Sunday

If Belgian chocolate is your guilty indulgence, look no further than Pierre Marcolini’s chic chocolate store. The sustainably-sourced chocolates are a result of Marcolini’s fine bean-to-bar craftsmanship for over two decades. Enter and admire rows of bonbons infused with an assortment of fillings—from Earl Grey to Moroccan pink pepper berries.

The glistening chocolate hearts are a signature and the raspberry one is worth digging into for its dark chocolate ganache, raspberry pulp, and lemon zest. Otherwise, go for classics like the salted caramel truffles or their chocolate bars. Bliss out!

Where: 45 Rue Saint Paul, 75004 Paris, France

When: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Monday

Backed by three generations of chocolate-makers, Les Trois Chocolats harmoniously pairs French styles with a Japanese twist. The recipes feature ingredients such as sesame, roasted kinako, matcha, yuzu, and Sakura sugar chocolate. The output is mind-blowing from ganache with miso fleur de sel to black ganache with cherry blossoms—not your usual varieties.

Don’t miss the house specialty: the "3 Chocolates". It’s a powdery cocoa cube with dark chocolate, vanilla biscuit, and a milk chocolate mousse sandwiched altogether. If you’re in the Marais area, stop by and marvel at these Franco-Japanese treats yourself.

Where: 40 Rue De La Roquette, 75011 Paris, France

When: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In the Bastille district, this chocolate atelier exudes Willy Wonka vibes. Manufacture de Chocolat Alain Ducasse was refashioned from an old garage and retains the traditional art of chocolate-making. Step into this industrial-like factory and watch the “vintage” machinery at work. It’s also one of the few workshops where chocolate is handcrafted from bean to bar.

You’ll find an incredible range of ganaches and pralines, plus over 50 different chocolate bars. The Discovery Box is a great recommendation to take home if you’re contemplating what to buy. Relish refreshing flavors like lime, vanilla, coconut, passionfruit, and pistachio.

Where: 149 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris, France

When: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Michel Chaudun’s cacao cavern is a delight for the senses and palate. The wood panels offer a charming 19th-century vibe. Similar to Patrick Roger, Chaudun is also a famed chocolate sculptor. Don’t be surprised to see chocolate couture bags, vintage heels, and chess pieces lining the shelves of Maison Chaudun.

As you browse through the displays, find anything from dark or milk bars to square truffles. A popular one to seek is Fidgi (dark chocolate with passion fruit ganache). If you love caramel, Veragua (chocolate, praline, and caramel-layered bonbon) is a choice pick.

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