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The BONBONNIERE ST HONORE
A Remarkable Chocolate Shop
by Ceri Au
To lose oneself in Paris is to find certain
adventure. Along the grand boulevards or small cobble-stoned
back-alleys, a wealth of the unexpected, or as the French would say
“imprévu,” await those who seek its treasures.
The 8th district is a bountiful
collection of some of the most popular tourist attractions the world
over. Bordered by the Seine in the south, this quartier boasts such
historic gems as the oldest statue in Paris, the oblique in Place de la
Concorde, the Elysee Palace —home to the President of the French
Republic— the Arc de Triomphe and the tomb of the unknown
soldier. But beyond the throngs of the Champs Elysees Avenue lie the
small boutiques and cafes that are frequented by local Parisians,
places not often visited by tourists. Heading North along the rue
Marigny, that hugs the most eastern end of the leafy Elysee Palace
compound, turn onto the rue Miromesnil and look on the right hand-side
for #27, home of the Bonbonnière St Honore.
From the outside, this little chocolate shop
is deceptively plain, easily missed when closed for lunch, the maroon
blinds hiding the delectable delights within. Upon entering, however,
the aroma of cocoa products engulfs you, inducing a deep yearning to
taste each and every specimen on display. Confections in pyramidal form
line the walls of the shop, innumerable varieties of truffles, nut
clusters, liquor-filled spheres, oblongs and cubes. Bars of nougat in
pastel shades of pink, green and cream, overflow from a wicker basket.
Sample the wares before making any final
purchasing decisions: savour the creamy caramel fillings, the subtle
sweetness of dark-chocolate dipped nut-ensembles. Let the chocolate
melt delicately upon your tongue, a satiny kiss of gourmet perfection.
The Bonbonniere Saint Honore is a modern-day
representation of the historic legacy of chocolate makers in France .
Indeed, chocolate first arrived in the country in 1615 when Anne of
Austria married Louis XIII, introducing this culinary indulgence to the
French court. In its own right, the Bonbonniere Saint Honore is linked
to Parisian chocolate notoriety, as it is the sister store of the
Bonbonniere de la Trinite of the 9th district, established
in 1925. The rich tradition of artisan chocolate production renders a
visit to a Parisian chocolatier a definite must.
Buying a box of chocolates for oneself, or
to share with family and friends back at home, is not an empty gesture.
Many Parisians abroad often request a box of “Lumieres de
Paris” as a simple reminder of a special place back home.
With a ribbon-tied package beneath your arm,
exit the Bonbonniere Saint Honore, and head northward, with eyes peeled
and curiosity peaked, ready to stumble upon another hidden treasure of
the 8th district.
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