The House Of Chocolate

[caption id="attachment_217" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="La Maison du Chocolat"][/caption]

The House of Dior,  Chanel, YSL and Cartier are all Parisian institutions.    And  yes... there is a chocolate equivanent aptly named La Maison Du Chocolat  (The House of Chocolate).

[caption id="attachment_218" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="chocolate display at La Maison du Chocolat"][/caption]

This French chocolate institution was founded in 1977 by Master Chocolatier Robert Linxe and is now probably one of the most well known chocolate shops in the country. There are 10 locations in Paris and we imagine all with amazingly beautiful chocolate presentations.

We searched for a Maison du Chocolat boutique close to our week two  "Right Bank" apartment in the Montorgeuil*.

* The Montorgeuil is currently the hippest of hip areas of Paris. The permanent market street and an urban fashion  hub has created an unforgettable vibe in this spot. For the record, Bien and I  are not part of the Hip intelligentsia of Paris. What ..... with two kids, and a Labrador... far from it.  We just happened to know the owner of the apartment from Right bank of Brisbane. What a wonderful location . More on our apartment stays in  The Left and Right banks of Paris and the walled city of Avignon  in the South of France in an upcoming blog .

[caption id="attachment_219" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="art at the Louvre followed by chocolate art at La Maison du Chocolat"][/caption]

The closest  Chocolate boutique for MDC was relatively closeby at the  Carousel Du Louvre shopping centre beside the Louvre. We actually had a hard time finding it because it looks so much more like a Cartier boutique. Well lit chest height glass display cases fill the windows against a backdrop of a dimly lit store. And it's only on closer inspection that you see the cases filled with Jewels of Chocolate and not actual Jewels and watches.

[caption id="attachment_220" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="chocolate show case"][/caption]

A stylish central island glass service counter is positioned in the store, reminiscent of any top end high street jewelry store.

[caption id="attachment_221" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="chocolate displays - yum!"][/caption]

The  Cases contain a selection of  chocolates with flavours ranging from......

Truffles  were our favourite - We purchased a box of mixed which contained dark, Caramel, Milk and Raspeberry ( we've noticed that Parisians are enamoured with Raspberry.

[caption id="attachment_222" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="chocolate truffle gift box - dark chocolate, caramel, milk and raspberry"][/caption]

Macarons are also popular here and quite a substantial flavour range beautifully displayed.

[caption id="attachment_223" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="all flavours available but apparently the chocolate was worth trying"][/caption]

I had read that the chocolate was well worth a try and although not a huge fan of these little morsels I decided we must at least try the chocolate version. So I mean if you are going to try the chocolate you may as well try the complimentary range - right?

[caption id="attachment_224" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="chocolate and its' complimentary flavours"][/caption]

Actually the macarons were delicious. Lovely crisp shell with a very moist and so delicate centre. Each of the macarons in our pack was filled with a fantastic chocolate ganache. Chocolate (and all the complimentary flavours :)  ) definitely worth trying !

A fantastic way to complete a visit to the Louvre - art and then chocolate art!