Thomas' take: Chocolatier

CHOCOLATIER

Could someone please explain to me how Paris is filled with such amazing chocolate shops, bakeries, cheese shops and cafes and still the French are thin.

Even with the mercury hitting 100-degrees in Paris, I could still eat chocolate. I have a long list of chocolate shops I love in Paris but the 2 that stood out to me on this trip are the artisans that used their incredible talents to create art in the form of chocolate. I have to admit it puts our little waxy chocolate Easter Bunnies to shame.

Chef George Larnicol is known for his whimsical chocolate sculptures, don’t be surprised to see Lady Bugs, shoes, cars, etc. His average sculpture, from what I could tell, is a very good scale, measuring about 8 to 10 inches tall. Chef Larnicol also sells wonderful salted caramels, buttery kouign-amann (breton pastries) and colorful macarons at his store. He has 2 locations that I know about,132 boulevard Saint-Germain and now on the Rue de Rivoli.

Maison Georges Larnicol 

132, boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris 

Tel. +33 (0)1 43 26 39 38 

Métro: Odéon

Patrick Roger, self proclaimed "chocolate artist,” seems a bit wonky and fun for a successful French businessman. I did not have the opportunity to meet him on this trip but maybe in the Fall when I return. I am enamored with someone with such talent that can take a seemingly basic and fragile material and create monumental artwork. And if the 200-pound orangatang is not practical for your carry on luggage try some of his beautifully executed and elegantly displayed smaller creations. He has several locations but I always seem to end up at the Saint-Germain or Victor Hugo locations.

Patrick Roger

108 boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris

Tel: +33 (0)1 43 29 38 42

Métro: Odéon