Paris Pâtissiers Innovate for Valentine’s Day

If you happen to be in Paris- the world’s most romantic city- for Valentine’s Day, you may find yourself strolling along the Seine in unseasonably sunny weather, as this winter has been quite mild.

Even if you’re not feeling particularly romantic, Valentine’s Day is a fun opportunity to check out the elaborate treats devised by the city’s top artisans. Le jour de la Saint-Valentin serves as an excuse for the fine chocolatiers and pâtissiers to innovate with over-the-top sweet treats. This year Pierre Hermé is going pink with macarons flavoured with orange blossom, rose and ginger; Alain Ducasse’s chocolate boutique near the Bastille has made a simple chocolate heart, meant for sharing, that’s like a jewel in a box; and chocolate sculptor Patrick Roger has created lace, um, undergarments…

At La Grande Épicerie, the newly renovated food hall at Le Bon Marché, the pastry team has even perfected a baguette shaped like a heart. In fact, they’ve unveiled a special treat for each meal of the day, so you can celebrate l’amour at lunchtime with a duo of savoury éclairs made with crab; treat yourself to nutella or raspberry lunettes at snack time; and in the evening, indulge in a gâteau that’s playfully named “L’Amour Chou”- a sinful mountain of rose-flavoured cream and puff pastry.