Chocolat...It's French for Heaven

[caption id="attachment_163" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Laduree Shop"][/caption]

This was the most unexpected surprise of our Chocolate pilgrimage. We were just strolling down the Champs Elysée from the Place De la Concorde on our way to the  Arc de Triomphe.  We planned to have side trip to "Fouquet" on the avenue  on the recommendation of Charlotte (a  Belgian chocolate fanantic we met in Bruxelles ) to share a hot chocolate and people watch. " Quatre chocolat chaud monsieur s'il vous plait"?.

The plan was abruptly interrupted when  a pale green facade with a small yet   stunning window  display of  patisserie, confection and chocolate perfection  beckoned us.  This window teased us into peering in the front door. We had planned to see Laduree at Rue Royale however here we were and we were hooked.  The tight doors swung open. We were in. Laduree as all the books suggested was irrestistable.

[caption id="attachment_164" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Laduree is pastry and chocolate heaven"][/caption]

Inside,  darkness flooded room . The only lights in this Salon were those fixed on the exquisite delights of Laduree  displayed on marble (Chocolate eclairs, chocolate mille feuille, gateaux, macarons and a selection of Truffles and chocolates).

[caption id="attachment_179" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="Laduree offer of pastries"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_166" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="macrons in all flavours and beautifully displayed"][/caption]

Ladurees decor  was classic. The best of all the Chocolate destinations we'd seen so far.  As were the crisply pressed black uniforms of the Mademoiselles Ladurees.  Their efficient ,clinical and polite  service always  finishing   with "Ces tout"?  It was hard to answer  "Oui, that's all" as you just wanted to buy all the pasrties and chocolates in this boutique.

[caption id="attachment_174" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="amazing creativity at Laduree"][/caption]

Laduree is best known apparently for its Macarons which it claims to have created. They offer a standard range of Macarons including chocolate, hazelnut, rose, pistachio, raspberry and lemon and add a new flavour for each season.

[caption id="attachment_167" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="the window display at Laduree"][/caption]

The atmosphere and the amazing cakes made it easy to see why Sofia Coppola used Laduree in her movie Marie Antoinetteto illustrate the decadence of the 18th century French royal court. The cakes are like works of art - almost impossible to make a choice and almost certainly too gorgeous to actually eat. But eat we did and they were amazing!

[caption id="attachment_172" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="one of our choices at Laduree"][/caption]

At the back of the store there is a Macaron bar (see below) - an almost fantasy of underwater mermaid life the decor is worth seeing.

[caption id="attachment_169" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="macarons  bar at Laduree"][/caption]

Laduree offers a huge range of chocolate and chocolate gifts - all packaged in beautiful colour coordinated pastels boxes and ribbons.

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If it seems like these delicacies may look great but not taste great we can testify that we tried several on offer including this most beautiful strawberry below and it was devine!

[caption id="attachment_176" align="aligncenter" width="620" caption="a strawberry from Laduree that looks as good as it tastes!"][/caption]

Laduree, merci beaucoup. You made our Parisian day.

Oh and there are several other Laduree locations in Paris - we will just have to check them out and let you know if they are as good!