When in Paris leave time, and space in your stomach, for pastries. The attention to detail French chocolatiers put into all of their products is impressive and the desserts, although generous in size, are best not shared. These are the ultimate gourmandise, as the French would say.

One of the big names in French pastry is Yann Couvreur. He found himself in the world of pastry after doing an internship at a pastry shop across from his family’s book business as a teenager and then going on to learn from the best across France. Many of his cakes feature an image of a fox, an animal he would cross every night in the forest around his home and that today represents the brand. Order the Merveille, a dessert made with a light milk chocolate mousse with praline and salt and layers of meringue which is even better than the sum of its parts.

There are many locations across Paris and even the world (I visited Yann Couveur in Seoul this year as well). This one was a stop on a long walk along the beautiful Canal Saint Martin. it is a small shop but there is space along the window to watch the locals doing their morning shopping.

Many chocolatiers offer beautiful hot chocolates using whatever couverture chocolate they use for their pastries, usually melted down into hot milk and served in white porcelain cups. So you can imagine I came in with high expectations. Ah, but not here. The hot chocolate came from one of those glass machines where the hot chocolate is eternally turning and being heated and reheated, not a good start. Although the store had just opened, the machine was almost empty and its remaining liquid was tipped unceremoniously into a paper cup. As you can imagine, I went from having high hopes (Yann Couvreur is one of the best), to slowly falling into a dark place of regret and dread. The hot chocolate was overly thick, with pieces of milk chocolate skin throughout. It tasted of cocoa powder and vanilla but not much else. I finished every bit of the Merveille I ordered (I admit I even licked the plate) but left the hot chocolate, as I recommend you do as well.

Yann Couvreur,  137 Ave Parmentier, 75010, Paris, France. Hours: 8:00-20:00 www.yanncouvreur.com @yanncouvreur