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Thursday, February 21, 2019

Paris Chocolate Shop map + a Twofer

Every time a Paris map or letter gets finished and shipped out I want to celebrate 🥂🍾!

Two letters out every month means two celebrations 🥂🥂. One can't complain. Last night I rewarded myself with l'escargot + pistache gelato from Picard - a green dinner. If you come to Paris and don’t taste any Paris chocolates you’re missing out. There is no better place for top chocolate shops than the 6th.

Three on rue de Seine + three on rue Bonaparte
The February Paris chocolate map IS your guide.

Here's a well-kept Paris secret - it’s perfectly OK to walk into the best chocolate shops in town and BUY ONLY ONE CHOCOLATE! I kid you not.

 At Pierre Marcolini it will set you back 1€. The French, more than anyone, understand the concept of a 'peche mignon' (a guilty pleasure). Indulging yourself with one perfect chocolate is applauded and respected. Make the tour of the 6eme chocolate shops collecting single samples and no one will look down their noses at you. At all. Considering the heights of snobbery here this is something. on Valentine's day at Galeries Lafayette there were Free chocolates to taste at the Pierre Hermé! Someone's hand grabbed one. Yum

Another secret - the density and richness of a single French ganache bonbon is equal to your average steak IMHO...though some meat-eaters might not agree. You don't need to wolf down the entire box either at one sitting. It may be near impossible. Better to fait attention and appreciate. I knew someone who ate a single chocolate every night. Of course they were French chocolates.

This morning I went to the preview for ATELIER DES LUMIERE VAN GOGH, LA NUIT ÉTOILÉE'. I was inspired to paint some 'Van Goghish' bonus watercolors. Subscribe to Paris maps this month and you'll get a TWOFER - the 1st all-Paris chocolate map, the little Van Gogh teapot aquarelle and your guide to the 6eme shops. Plus a brochure from the show! Yum 
With Love ❤️ From Paris 🐻 Xxxx



16 comments:

  1. I adore your chocolate map, Carol! Yes, these are the places I used to take visitors around in Saint Germain-des-prés, although we'd taste a couple each on each stop. Totally agreed on the quality of French chocolate - it's a must when visiting! I'm dying to go to the Van Gogh exhibition - looks fab.

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    1. Ahh...your fabulous chocolate tours Jill!
      You are the queen of Paris sweets ❤️🍫

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  2. My husband’s French grandmother had a glass of champage and a piece of chocolate each evening and lived to be 106! Sounds like a good idea to me.

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    1. A very good idea if ine has the restraint to stop at just one chocolate...
      It must help if its a nightly habit...🥂🍫

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  3. I would love that Vincent VG show..!
    Of course the map:)It's on my wall:):)
    Teapot..♥

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  4. Very touching show...I must do the report❤️

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  5. So enjoy your postings---always a delight each day.

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  6. Bonnie L10:13 AM

    Fantastic map, Carol❣️ You deserve a glass of champagne for all of your hard work. Hope you had a chocolate from every stop on the map...at least one...

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    1. I wish I'd had a bit of chocolate for every drawing...
      I had such cravings and only the most basic bar in the house.
      It was not easy 😳🍫

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  7. Love those chocolate shops - always bring home lots to savor and share. Can't wait to see the Van Gogh show & hope it's as spectacular as the one we saw at La Villette. Williams Sonoma is now offering (selling at a very high price) chocolates from Maison du Chocolate but I guess it would be one way to get your French chocolate fix without flying over to Paris (which I'd much rather do).

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    1. Hmmm...Maison du Chocolat has many shops in the US and you can order mail directly, but anywhere they are quite pricey $$$$/€€€€

      https://www.lamaisonduchocolat.us/brand/la-maison-du-chocolat-usa.html

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  8. Bonnie D12:47 AM

    My fav...Debauve et Gallais
    First visit Christmas 1995.
    Again 2015.
    Still my heart
    So delicious!
    Those gorgeous boxes with royal blue.
    Ahhhhhhhhh...

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    1. Ah Ha....good on you Bonnie
      I never had the nerve to buy anything at Debauve et Gallais.
      "You're a braver (wo)man than I Gunga Din!"
      Rudyard Kipling ;))

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  9. I love your email/blogs - so inspiring and delightful.
    I am finally subscribing and thanking you in advance for the "Twofer".
    Merci!

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  10. I had forgotten the ability to buy just one chocolate...and usually that's all you need. We used to live in Paris and try to go back once a year. I just subscribed to your email list!

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  11. I am so close to just blowing the emergency fund and flying to Paris to see Van Gogh. Biggest sigh!

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