November = Calendrier de l'Advent

November in Paris is Advent time. You have one month to run around, fall in love and choose an Advent calendar for December. If you love doll houses you'll love Le calendrier de l'Avent. I thought it was a religious thing. Not at all. Its about gifting yourself chocolate and adorable miniature gifts.

Some Paris shops  like papeterie Marie Tournelle already looks like an Advent calendar.

Marie's shop has plenty of Advent postcards

And Advent houses you can fill yourself annually with goodies. In case you forgot an Advent calendar has 24 windows or openings. From December 1st - 24th you open a window and enjoy a gift or bonbon. In my opinion this is trial by fire. Who has the supreme patience to eat just one candy a day? I do not. Never mind. It's a fun concept.

Paris' oldest bonbon shop, La Mere de Famille looks like an Advent calendar waiting to happen.

In the past they have done that. This year for their 50th anniversary, the famed French artist, Sempé created their candy box/calendar. These sell out fast so run grab one.

Last year, enthralled, I bought Angelina's calendar. FYI Its the same design this year. This would make such a nice doll house-style Avent calendar.

Instead it opens like a book. The candies inside were not thrilling I'm sad to report. Rather plain chocolate disks and wafer biscuits, but the packaging is lovely indeed.

Chapon is repeating last year's design but I'll bet the goodies inside are très riche like their chocolates.

French cosmetic companies take full advantage of the Advent calendar.

A perfect opp to offer irresistable mini versions of perfumes and cosmetics. Yum Yum

I decided to stick with just chocolate for the December Paris map letter. Henri Le Roux, famous for creating caramel au beurre salé on 24, rue des Martyrs told me they do not stop selling their Advent bonbon boxes at the end of November. Hooray! In fact if they still have any, you can still get one on December 31st! This is great news.

Down the street at 9, rue des Martyrs I found a Provence-themed Advent box at Maison Bremond 1830.

Their box is a treasure chest of typical Provencal treats like nougat, calisson, candied almonds, biscuits and flavored vinegars and olive oils. Wow!

They kindly gave me their box to test. I ran home and immediately tested everything except the oils and vinegars. Why wait till December 1st? Why wait at all. I would never pass the marshmallow test.

Time to sketch out the December Paris map. I thought I would have a chocolate border...

No space. And a good thing when I think of the chocolates I would have to eat to get it right.

For Noël or whatever you want to call it, I'm offering on Etsy a Paris map special. 6 previous maps plus a new gift card. Take a look.

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