Now that temperatures are dropping and stores are beginning to put up their holiday lights, Paris is feeling more festive by the day. These colder days (and nights) are the perfect excuse to indulge in a luxurious sweet-treat: hot chocolate, or, as the French call it "chocolat chaud".
When did the Chocolat Chaud become a trend in France?
This South American delicacy became famous in Spain first. In France it was totally unknown until 1615, when the Spanish Infanta Anne of Austria married our King Louis XIII. Little by little, the wealthy French are starting their day the Spanish way: hot chocolate in hand!
When chocolate entered the habits of the court of the Palace of Versailles it became the most fashionable beverage and gradually dethroned coffee and tea!
Until the 18th century, chocolate was reserved for the bourgeoisie, but thanks to the industrial revolution chocolate was democratized. Over time, chocolate is mass produced and becomes an affordable consumer good.
Over the years, cocoa has taken on many forms: tablets, powders, bars, mousses, spreads, ice creams, etc. and the many brands have multiplied!
Although its consumption has changed a lot since its sacred origins, today, chocolate is accessible to all of us for our greatest pleasure!
Find our favourite 5 places to warm up and get a sugar rush with a Chocolat Chaud (and more)
Angelina
The parisian classic
Angelina has 5 locations in Paris, and the most famous one is at 226 Rue de Rivoli, which is where this tea-house has stood for over a century!
If you want to make sure to try their Angelina's Chocolat Chaud in their famous salon make sure to make reservations in advance on their official website HERE
In order to fully profit from the experience, make sure to get the Mont-Blanc, a chocolate pastry which means ‘white mountain’ in French. The Mont Blanc is Angelina's signature pastry.
The recipe was created at the beginning of the 20th century and has remained unchanged since.
Crispy and dry French meringue under a smooth creamy dome of light whipped cream, covered by chestnut vermicelli. Its shape was apparently inspired by the tranding women hairstyle at the time: the sleek short square bob.
Carette
Instagrammable and mouthwateringly beautiful!
Almost as old as Angelina, Carette is another parisian institution that you cannot miss. Jean Carette and his wife Madeleine installed their first shop in 1927 at the famous Place du Trocadéro, just steps away from one of the best places to admire the iconic Eiffel Tower.
There is another small Carette shop at the Place de Tertre in Montmartre, but our favourite is the one at the Place des Vosges! The elegant interior is pure Louis XVI style and it makes us think of the time when the square was still called Place Royale. (Royal square) ⌾ 25 Pl. des Vosges, 75003 Paris
Appart of the chic decor and the delicious chocolat chaud Carette offers beautiful (and tasty) pastries, brunch, ice-cream, macarons, delicious finger sandwiches and more!
If you wish to discover Le Marais remember you can book your private Marais stroll with us HERE and please don't forget to remind us your wish to stop at Carette, we will be more than happy to show you the way!
Ara Chocolat
For chocolate connaisseurs that go off the beaten path
Ara Chocolat was founded by Andrés and Sabrina, a Venezuelan couple. It is a micro batch Parisian chocolate shop and one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in France! They make chocolates from carefully choosen beans buyed directly to small cocoa growers and cooperatives in Latin America.
They make you travel "through chocolate" with the differences among cacao varieties!
Their intense, rich, smooth and scrumptious Chocolat Chaud is water based and is made with different cacao varieties every week... You will taste fruity, floral, nutty or even woody notes!!
This award winning chocolaterie is nestled in a tiny storefront in the north of Paris (54, Rue de Dunkerque, 75009), just steps away from the charming area of Montmartre and the metro station Anvers.
Hoct & Loca
To go into a chocolate coma…
Martin, as a former executive in the mining industry was taken to travel the world. This allowed him to discover the breadth and richness of chocolate.
Originally from Quebec and Parisian by adoption Martin has decided to listen to his heart to make you fall “in love with chocolate”! This is how Hoct & Loca was born and this shop will not let you down!
From chocolate strawberries 🍓 to hot chocolate 🍫 you can get anything your heart desires in this place!
If you want a Chocolate Brunch, you can find it in their shop every day of the week or you can even get it delivered to your parisian address!
Hoct&Loca is located in the heart of Paris at 99 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004. It is steps away from metro station Châtelet and the Seine river.
If you take our private Paris tour by Bike don't hesitate to request that we make a stop at this sweet shop for you to get some energy to bike around!
BKNK
For the book lovers
This Coffee shop + Publishing house: BKNK, aka Book Nook, has teamed up with publishing house Beta Publisher to create a friendly and original place bringing together a coffee shop, but also the premises of this young Parisian publishing house.
Morgane & Camille, two friends, travelled to NYC where they discovered a Starbucks Roastery. This made them think of creating their own personal concept in Paris and give books an important place too. A retro style wallpaper, leather couches, every detail is thought out and every corner of Book Nook tells a piece of the story of the creation of this unique place.
Located 8 min. away walking from the Moulin Rouge, Book Nook is a perfect place to start your day at and get a boost of energy before climbing the hill of Montmartre. (11 rue Blanche 75009)
Along with your Hot Chocolate and book we recommend you to taste the vegan and gluten-free banana bread with chocolate!
Here, everything is homemade and prepared with love. What could be better than a hot beverage, a small pastry and an excellent book?
We hope you can take advantage of our selection of places to have a good Hot Chocolate during your next visit to Paris. Remember that if you book any of our private strolls your guide will be happy to show you the best places around if you wish a gourmet break.
We wish you a sweet visit with a chocolaty boost of energy!