While wandering the streets of Paris one afternoon, I came across this small, unassuming chocolate shop and thereafter consumed the best chocolate I have ever had.
Their chocolates are the perfect size to really savor the flavors (and crave more), have the perfect ratio of dark, bitter chocolate to sweeter fillings, and look beautiful. I especially loved the chocolates with the pistachio and épice fillings.
The lady working there was super helpful (if you speak French, it's a huge plus - her English is limited) and sweet, helping me pick out a good mix of chocolates based on my preferences. At ~ 25€ for a box of 12 chocolates plus a box of 6 pavés, it's pricey, but not break the bank (looking at you, La Maison du Chocolat). The store itself is small, with a bit of the clutter of a workshop, from the chocolate saucissons hanging in the windows to the chocolate sculptures and piles of boxed chocolates. Beyond the excellent chocolates, the friendly atelier vibe of the shop added greatly to the wonderful, magical experience of buying chocolates in Paris.
I went to two other acclaimed chocolate shops in the 7th and St-Germain arrondissements, and while they were also quite good, Chaudun Michel stood out as the clear winner. They're chocolates as they should be - presented with understated elegance in a portion size that really allows you to enjoy the complexity of flavor in each piece. read more