New in Paris: Chef Cyril Lignac Shares his Passion for Chocolate

Chocoholics will delight in the chocolate offerings of La Chocolaterie. It specializes in all things chocolate from bars to pastries to take-out hot chocolate in glass bottles.

The chocolate bars are classified in three ways: origines,inclusions and bonbons. “Origines” include pure dark or milk chocolate carefully chosen from places as diverse as Venezuela and Trinidad. Lignac and Couvrand tasted over 50 chocolate “grand crus” and decided to use four which were chosen for their characteristic quality and distinctive flavour profile.

The same level of care in choosing chocolate extends to the natural ingredients of almonds, sesame seeds and hazelnuts that are used in the “inclusions” and “bonbons” line of offerings. Some of the unique and exotic combinations in the “inclusions” are sesame seed and green tea, tart chocolate and fleur de sel. Milk chocolate lovers will find favourites in the “bonbons” category, like milk chocolate filled with soft caramel and two original creations of caramel and marshmallow or raspberry with coconut. In total there are 15 tablettes (bars) to choose from– delicately wrapped in every soft pastel color imaginable.

The chocolate is made at a “secret laboratory” in St. Ouen just outside Paris. Couvrand works with 35 artisans to develop his pleasing creations. He learned his craft during his 10 years of work at Fauchon.

Lignac and Couvrand realized their dream of having a convivial, modern meeting place devoted entirely to chocolate. At the special opening event, Lignac expressed his wish that La Chocolaterie become a part of daily life and more than just another chocolate boutique.

“For me, chocolate has always been something to share, to soothe our daily duties,” Cyril said of his passion.

He hopes people come from early morning until evening with their laptops, books or just to relax together while enjoying his chocolate creations.

Lignac now has you covered from soup to nuts. Try lunch at his restaurant Le Quinzième for a gourmet experience in the 15th, where you are treated like royalty. Want a more “down home” experience? Try his restaurant Le Chardenoux in the 11th. Need a special dessert? He has four pastry shops located around Paris.

For the ultimate chocolate reverie, there is now the just-opened Chocolaterie in the 11th.

Le Quinzième: 14, rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris. Tel: +33 (0)1 45 54 43 43. Open from Monday through Friday. www.restaurantlequinzieme.com

Le Chardenoux: 1 Rue Jules Vallès, 75011 Paris. Tel: +33 (0)1 43 71 49 52. Open every day for lunch and dinner. www.restaurantlechardenoux.com

La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac: 33 rue de Sèvres 75006; 24 rue Paul Bert 75011; 55 Boulevard Pasteur 75015; 2 rue de Chaillot 75016. www.cyrillignac.com

This article was co-written by Kathy Morton and Debra Fioritto. Certified by Atout France as “France specialists,” the duo are travel planners for New York-based Tour de Forks. Recipients of the Julia Child Endowment Fund Scholarship, they design personalized epicurean adventures in France. Past clients include Ina Garten of Food Network and Barefoot Contessa fame. Kathy Morton is also the France Today Ambassador for Charlotte and Raleigh, NC.