Just around a corner, on a small alleyway in the 2nd arrondissement, is a gift from the French chocolate gods: Plaq. Plaq is the from the French word “plaque” which is an older way of saying chocolate bar. Plaq founders Sandra and Nicolas were apparently inspired by Canadian bean to bar chocolates Qantu and Palette de Bine, among others and today source beans from around the world to make their chocolate, from bean to bar. They put a particular emphasis on sustainability in their sourcing, favouring beans grown in agroforestry and turning them into 2 ingredient chocolate: cocoa beans and sugar only.
Before starting Plaq, Sandra was in the fragrance industry and Nicolas in graphic design. In December 2017, they started making chocolate. They hired pastry chef Celine Lacoeur in 2019 for their chocolate shop and the rest is history.
At Plaq, they source and work beans to maximise flavour. Organic sugar, and sometimes powdered milk (cow, goat, sheep, oat, coconut) and coco butter as well as dried fruits, coffee etc. are added, depending on the day. They stay clear of soy lecithin, industrial cocoa butter, artificial flavours, vanilla and any sort or palm oil.
The whole process, from bean to bar, takes place in their little shop on Rue du Nil. Some of their origins include India, Tanzania (Kokoa Kamili), Peru (Gran Nativo), Belize (Maya Mountain) and Venezuela (Chuao) and one of my local (ish) favourites PNG’s Ransiki. They age their chocolate for 2-4 weeks before turning them into bars which are packaged in recyclable and biodegradable packaging.
When you enter if you look to the right, you can see the chocolate making process. Look to the left and you can admire and shop their full range of bars and chocolate products. Straight ahead is the menu and display of chocolate cakes to enjoy “sur place” on one of the white chairs or stools lined up outside along their store front, perfect for people and chocolate watching.
There are two options for the hot chocolate: with water or with milk and both you can either have as a shot (3.5 euros) or in a mug (7 euros), with or without chantilly (whip cream). They also sell cacao pulp juice (either plain or sparkling) for 5.5 euros. The big question you need to answer is just how much chocolate can you eat in one sitting? This is important to consider because you will want to order everything. I settled on La Mousse Tres Chocolate (the very chocolate mousse – which was très delicious), but they also have chocolate fondants, cookies, cakes, macarons… The hot chocolate, as you would expect, is gorgeous and I would have it everyday if I could. It is rich and fun and each sip takes you on a little journey. The temperature was perfect, the amount was perfect and the atmosphere only added to my enjoyment. The world needs more Plaq.
Plaq is also located in the 2nd in one of the best bits of Paris. Start at Les Halles and walk up Rue Montorgueill, maybe even stopping for lunch or breakfast beforehand at one of the numerous cafes there. When you are done, Plaq is located on a street that has several beautiful sustainably sourced food shops including a boulangerie, creameries, poissonieries, restaurants and a fantastic organic grocer with the most beautiful selection of mushrooms I have ever seen. After all this, spend some time in Librairie Gourmande, a food focused bookstore that I wish I had in my neighbourhood.
If you don’t make it to the 2nd, Plaq is also sold at a range of other café’s across Paris including in the 19th, 11th, 9th, 6th and even in Lille, Bordeaux and Nantes, among others. Click here for the full list. https://plaqchocolat.com/pages/revendeurs
But if you can, make the trip to the original. I’ll be back as soon as I can!
Where?
La Manufacture Plaq is at 4 Rue du Nil, 75002, Paris
Open: Monday 11:30-19:30, Tuesday-Friday 11-19:30, Saturday 10-19:30 and Sunday 10-18:30
Insta: @plaqchocolate
Web: Plaqchocolat.com
