There are 19 locations of Chapon Chocolatier in and around Paris, and I’ve visited several of them. My favourite is the boutique in the 7th arrondissement. I used to live just around the corner, so visiting always feels a little like coming home. It’s probably their smallest location, maybe even one of the quietest, but I see all of that as positives.
The hot chocolate is excellent; thick, rich and decadent, especially on a cool day. There is no space to sit inside, so it’s served in a paper cup that inevitably carries a faint cardboard smell, which I always feels takes away from the drink. But the good news is, that it is easy to take away with you. Walk across to Jardin Luxembourg and enjoy your drink there. The gardens which cover 23 hectares have many green metal chairs scattered throughout that anyone can pull up to, sit, relax, and take in the views. Highly recommended.
What Chapon is truly famous for, and the reason you should absolutely visit, is for their bar à mousse au chocolat. Served almost like an icecream and scooped into a cone shaped cup, each mousse is made with a different origin and cocoa percentage. It is unbelievably good.
The packaging at Chapon is gorgeous and stepping into the shop feels like opening a treasure chest. They have bonbons and chocolate covered nuts. Teddybear shaped marshmallows dipped in white, milk or dark chocolate. The walls are lined with bars made form cacao beans sourced from around the world. I especially love the back wall lined with vintage chocolate moulds. If they were for sale, I’d buy those too.
Chapon Chocolaterie, 69 rue du Back, 75007, Paris Open daily from 10am to 7 or 8pm depending on the day. www.chapon.com
