The best chocolate shops in Paris

This young chocolatier and confectioner, who trained under the excellent Patrick Roger and Jacques Genin, has chosen to align his creations with the seasons. At Chocolaterie William Artigue, all the ingredients ate carefully selected and the cocoa beans are roasted by Nicolas Berger. Between Easter and Christmas, visitors leave this stylish boutique with hazelnut pralines, roasted cereal ganaches, chestnut cream, quince or caramelised pear pastes and come spring, it’s all about red berries.

Where? 30 Rue Yves Toudic, 10th arrondissement 

Decorated in white with gold accents, this dazzling, jewellery-box-like shop, was opened in late 2022 by Jade Genin, daughter of Jacques Genin. After working with her father, she has now launched her own boutique. The pyramid-like creations, which are made with Xoco Gourmet chocolate, are delightfully refined and take inspiration from all over the world: flavours include an incredible sea-salted ganache with nori seaweed or electrifying ginger, flavourful pralines with black sesame or oats and zaatar. Jade Genin is a major new name in the chocolate scene.

Where? 33 Avenue de l'Opéra, Paris 2nd arrondissement

Away from the bustling Rue de la Roquette, you’ll find the workshop of Alain Ducasse, a major figure in French gastronomy. The 320-square-metre space is very different from many of the luxury boutiques on this list: tucked away at the back of a courtyard, the décor is industrial, with concrete, brick, and steel used throughout. These décor choices pay tribute to the idea of craftsmanship, an idea which is also evident in the chocolate creations. Here, they roast top-quality cocoa beans – Chuao from Venezuela, Porcelana from Peru, Java, and more – which are transformed into sumptuous discovery boxes (ranging from 4 to 90 pieces, priced between €17 and €138)!

Where? 40 Rue de la Roquette, Paris 11th arrondissement

Jean-Paul Hévin was awarded the title of MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France, a recognition given to artisans who are seen to be the very best in their field) in 1986 and previously worked with legendary chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon: in short, Hévin’s been at the top of the confectionery game for decades. Utterly uncompromising when it comes to quality, he is one of the few who roasts his own cocoa beans, ensuring full control of the entire chocolate-making process. This cocoa maestro is known for dazzling combinations, including chocolates filled with cheese and aphrodisiac ganaches. Even his more traditional chocolates showcase his exceptional expertise.

Where? 231 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1st arrondissement

Sandra Mielenhausen and her partner Nicolas Rozier-Chabert left their careers in communications and marketing to launch Plaq in September 2019, a minimalist chocolate shop that works directly with cocoa beans. In this workshop/boutique, with its whitewashed beams and large windows, you’ll find chocolate bars crafted entirely on-site from start to finish (starting at €9). Our favourites? The ‘Pure Intense Dark’ from Belize (84% cocoa) and, for something gentler, the ‘Pure Sheep's Milk’ chocolate bar!

Where? 4 Rue du Nil, Paris 2nd arrondissement

A self-taught chocolatier with a thousand stories, Jacques Genin spent years supplying top hotels and restaurants with chocolates and confections before opening his first boutique and tea salon in 2008, complete with a workshop upstairs. Arranged in elegant silver boxes, his assortments showcase exceptional refinement: dark praline squares with buckwheat, a divine combination of Pantelleria capers, Piedmont hazelnut praline, and 71% Madagascar chocolate, and dark chocolate filled with a mint ganache. This is truly remarkable chocolate.

Where? 133 Rue de Turenne, Paris 3rd arrondissement

Trained under the esteemed MOF Franck Fresson, Marc Chinchole is a true enthusiast who insists on controlling the entire production process, from sourcing fair-trade cocoa beans to crafting the chocolates. L'instant Cacao small, colourful praline squares are exceptional. His flavours run from the exotic (there’s a green one made with two types of lemon, and a surprising and addictive yellow one made with gomashio, a Japanese condiment made with sea salt and sesame seeds) to the indulgent (there's an intense cashew, hazelnut, gianduja and feuilletine.

Where? 3 Rue des Petits-Champs, Paris 1st arrondissement

Nathalie Menou and Catherine Lemoine, former owners of the rock bar Les Taulières, swapped cocktails for cocoa. At Kosak, their colourful, pop-inspired micro-shop, these connoisseurs of fine chocolate curate the best global bean-to-bar brands. Our top picks come from the incredible Czech chocolatiers Ajala Chocolate, Vietnam’s Marou, and New Zealand’s Hogarth. These bars are worth their weight in gold.

Where? 106 Rue Caulaincourt, Paris 18th arrondissement.

Maison Bonnat is a legendary chocolate institution founded in Voiron back in 1884. Since then, it has been a pioneer in mastering the entire production process, from cocoa tree to chocolate bar. Stéphane Bonnat, heir to the fourth generation, continues this dedication to high-quality beans. Their crowded shelves are stacked with vintage creations, but it’s their famous colourful bars with Art Nouveau logos that really stand out: white for the historic grand cru selections from Venezuela and Ecuador, dark green for Mexico, and light green for Peru.

Where? 189 Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th arrondissement.

Back in 2016, Fabien Rouillard (former pastry chef at Lucas Carton) skillfully took over this charming old-school establishment, originally opened in 1974 by Gérard Mulot. The result? Chocolates crafted from cocoa beans roasted by the De Loisy family, offering beautiful precision, balance, and creaminess. Warning: once you open a box of Maison Mulot chocolates, you may find all powers of self-control escape you.

Where? 76 Rue de Seine, Paris 6th arrondissement.