Paris: A guide for the sweet tooth

Ah Paris. City of Light. Also, a city of amazing sweets. But to really experience the sweet side Paris, get off the beaten path and seek out some of the more unusual “sweet things” she has to offer. From pink pralines to exquisite marshmallows, you’ll be surprised at the range of tasty sweets that expends far beyond macarons!

When you’re tired of the run of the mill viennoiserie (croissants, pains au chocolat, pains au raisins) for breakfast, head to Lisbon. Well, not the one in Portugal but the next best thing – Comme à Lisbonne. Specialising in “Pasteis de Nata” (custard tarts) this tiny storefront in the Marais offers the authentic taste of Portugal right in the heart of Paris.

Right around the corner, get your fix of “praslines/ pralines” (roasted then caramelized almonds in various flavours) at Mazet. Founded in 1913 by Léon Mazet, the Maison recently opened their gorgeous Marais boutique in the rue des Archives. With exquisite décor and sublime packaging, these make lovely gifts.

If it’s “pralines” you are interested in, you can’t visit the Marais without stopping in at Maison Pralus, the home of the praluline – a brioche studded with gorgeous pink pralines. Unusual, unexpected, unmissable!

To satisfy serious chocolate cravings, head to the Left Bank to Pierre Marcolini’s store on the rue de Seine. Marcolini opened his first store in 1995 in Brussels after winning the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in Lyon and now has stores all over the world. The store carries an impressive range of single-origin chocolates.

Not far away, Patrick Roger offers a jaw-dropping experience – from giant 80kg chocolate sculptures to tiny elegant boxes of chocolates resembling jewels, Roger’s stores must be seen to be believed!

For a lesson in history with your chocolate fix, head to Debauve & Gallais, founded by Sulpice Debauve (a former chemist to French king Louis XVI who provided chocolates to Marie Antoinette prior to opening the boutique) in 1800. As purveyors to the French Court, the company received the royal warrant in 1819 and supplied Kings Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis Philippe. Stepping back in the store is like stepping back in time.

If you simply can’t resist Pierre Hermé, look beyond the macarons. I can’t tell you what to choose from his amazing selection of cakes, but I might suggest the Infiniment Vanille if it’s there. Sublime. If it’s something more classic you are after, look no further than Gérard Mulot’s Opéra cake.

Finally, you’ll need to head to Pain de Sucre back in the Marais for a taste of what seems to be an emerging trend in Paris – guimauve (marshmallows). Not your Jet-Puff variety these puffs of perfection are delicately flavoured and coloured and will chance your mind about marshmallows forever.