Sweet, sweet Paris

Every neighborhood in Paris gives a great selection of patisseries and chocolatiers that it is so hard to choose which ones to try! Here are our favourites:

• A la Mère de Famille--Paris’s oldest sweet shop, founded in 1761. We checked out their original store and it was like stepping back in time. One of the best, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates we have had. Pricey but soooo worth it.

A la Mère de Famille, Paris

• Ladurée—founded in 1862, we visited the beautiful café in Champs-Élysées. It was quite hard to pick which flavours we wanted so we just tried them all! There was a bit of a line up but there were enough servers to assist. They also have a tea room.

Ladurée, Paris

• Maison Georges Larnicol—Hubby swears this is the best pastry he has tasted—their trademarked Kouignettes are essentially bite-sized version of the Breton cake kouign amann (like a butter puff pastry). Grandma got a variety (almonds, salted butter caramel, pistachio, rum raisin) and I especially liked the chocolate ganache. It was crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside. Delightful!

Kouignettes from Maison Georges Larnicol

• Angelina’s—from 1903, serves ultra delicious hot chocolate and delectable pastries. We tried their signature pastry Mont Blanc (Meringue, whipped cream, chestnut cream vermicelli). They have several locations and we went to the one at the Louvre, just steps away from Napoleon’s apartments. It is only in this location where they serve the Richelieu--chocolate pyramid with dark chocolate cream, dark chocolate biscuit, milk chocolate and hazelnut mousse on top of crunchy almond biscuit. Heavenly.

Chocolat Chaud, Angelina's, Paris

Mont Blanc and Richeliu, Angelina's, Paris

Other luxury treats to try from century-old institutions:

• Fauchon—flagship shop established in 1886 serving gourmet food

goodies from Fauchon, Paris

• Maxim’s—from the famous restaurant since 1893, they also have delightful chocolates and sweets

treats from Maxim's