Easter 2019 in Paris: The Top Chocolate Creations

Legend says that Easter eggs began with the Chinese, who gave them as gifts to celebrate spring. Here’s our baker’s dozen. Bravo to the chefs, salut les artistes!

Café de la Paix

Using milk chocolate from Brazil (Riachuelo 51%), Sophie de Bernardi, head pastry cheffe at Café de la Paix and Intercontinental Paris Le Grand, pays homage to Alfred the house mascot – named for Alfred Armand, architect of The Grand Hotel (built circa 1862). Available from 15-28th April, 2019, priced at €35.

Diary Date: Sunday, 21 April, book Le Grand Brunch and take part in the great Easter Egg Hunt, €125 per person with a flute of rosé champagne. 50% discount for hunters age 4-12; free for the under 3s. Reserve: [email protected]

5, place de l’Opera, 9th. Tel: +33 (0)1 40 07 36 36

The Easter Egg at the Ritz Paris. Photo credit: Aimery Chemin

The Ritz Hôtel Paris

François Perret’s L’œuf Five O’clock reminds me of Lewis Carroll, but Perret tells me proudly, “I’ve reproduced an edible version of the porcelain tea-cups used in Salon Proust every afternoon.” Chocolate Venezuela Carupano 70% Limited Edition. Priced at €85. Order from 6-21 April 2019, and collect from the Ritz Concept Store.

15, place Vendôme, 1st. Tel: +33 (0)1 43 16 30 30

Easter at The Ritz Paris

Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse Manufacture 

This sculptural collection includes an exciting chocolate praline bonbonnière – filled with choco-fishes – inspired by the globe trotting adventures of Monsieur Ducasse – ideal for the traveling chocoholic with its bespoke shockproof case. 500g – 65 € in dark or milk chocolate. Available from all Ducasse Chocolate boutiques, outlets (Gare du Nord) and the e-boutique.

40 rue de la Rouquette, 11th. Tel: +33 (0)1 48 05 82 86

The “oeuf bonbonnière” at Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, Manufacture à Paris. Photo credit: Atelier Mai 98

Patrick Roger

“An egg’s not just for Easter,” insists the quirky MOF chocolate artist known as “the Rodin of chocolate.” So, do pass by the boutiques (or order online) and discover the amazing world of Patrick Roger and the stop-you-in-your-tracks window displays of giant chocolate sculptures, as well as the fragrant aromas.

Patrick Roger’s “Oeuf sur le plat”

Cyril Lignac

This celebrity chef is a French “national treasure”– watch him in action on M6 Les Rois du Gâteau (Kings of Cake).

For Easter 2019, the duo Lignac / Benoit Couvrand present “Rabbits Hop Hop Hop” (€26) and Marshmallow vanilla milk chocolate Rabbits (Lapins Guimauve) (€7.50). And it’s difficult to resist the sensual brushed traditional egg filled with pralines and fish (€35) or the creamy, dreamy, limited edition Le Saint-Honoré – to serve 6 (€43).

133, rue de Sevres, 6th & boutiques in the 11th, 15th, 16th & 17th arrondissements

Easter 2019 Collection, Cyril Lignac. Photo: Aurely Cerise

Four Seasons Hôtel George V

Pastry chef Maxime Fréderic has memories of hot air balloons floating in the blue Normandy skies of his childhood. “The balloon is magic, everyone stops to look and admire even for a few seconds.”

His awesome work of art (€75) bearing the logo “De l’Amour et du Chocolat” (Love and Chocolate) has a working chocolate handle, made with Madagascar and Brazilian beans 75% exclusive to Four Seasons Hôtel George V. Taste everything (including the €35 choco-cloud) in the pop-up Easter boutique from 13-22 April, 9h-20h.

31 avenue George V, 8th. Tel: +33 (0)1 49 52 70 00

Hot-air balloon in chocolate at the Four Seasons Hôtel George V. Creation: Maxime Frederic

Shangri-La Hotel

Ahoy there! Michaël Bartochetti’s Easter plans include a virtual trip on a pirate ship! His 26cm limited edition “Croc o’Trésor” combines Caribbean and Jivara chocolate. The interior holds pieces of gold – heave ho my hearties get your order in before Jack Sparrow – available from 2nd April from La Bauhinia Restaurant. Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 19 91 or by email: [email protected]

10 avenue d’Iena, 16th

Shangri-La Hotel Paris. Easter creation 2019. Photo: Romeo Balancourt

La Mutinerie Chocolaterie

Visit the boutique/tea room where Luc and Léa, the marvelous millenial chocolate makers, present their eclectic 100% pure collection including these fabulous figurines – fish – rabbit – chicken (€29.95 each). Also available from La Grand Epicerie, Paris, Rive Gauche & Rive Droite from 28 March-1 May and via Chronofresh.

15 rue Henry Monnier, 9th. Tel: +33 (0)1 53 43 81 60

La Mutinerie Chocolaterie

Eric Kayser

The 6th generation baker (born in the Lorraine region) takes inspiration from “Lapinou” the Easter hare who – tradition says – delivers eggs to the children of eastern France, and also symbolizes spring, renewal and fertility.

Cocoa biscuit, crunchy feuillantine, praline, milk chocolate, cut with kalamansi (small exotic citrus fruit). Add light coffee frosting and leaping white chocolate, “lapinous” in silhouette – 4 people (€25), 6 people (€35).

And, because brand Kayser’s all about the bread, “Pain Ekmek” studded with dark 54% chocolate, hazelnuts and tonka beans is seasonally available until the end of April (€4).

Lapinou, Maison Kayser. Photo: Massimo Pessina

Café Pouchkine

From Russia with Love! Chocolate temptations by executive pastry chef Patrick Pailler. Until 29 April 2019 at Pouchkine boutique/café and also Printemps, 64 Boulevard Haussmann. The delicate “quilted” eggs are available in grand cru dark chocolate (67% cocoa, notes of hazelnuts and tonka beans) or milk chocolate (40% cocoa, vanilla notes). Inside, nougatine, caramel ganache and hazelnut praline mini eggs. 260 grams. Priced at €32.

16, place de la Madeleine, 8th. Tel: +33 (0)1 53 43 81 60

Easter 2019 at Café Pouchkine

Terrass Hôtel (en famille)

On the bucolic rooftop terrace, overlooking le tout Paris, enjoy pre-Easter 100% chocolate tea-time featuring Petit Carreaux de Paris chocolate. No reservations. Taking place the 7th, 14th and 21st April, 2019.

However, you can reserve “Le Brunch Festif” on Easter Monday 21st April, which promises chocomania as in chocolate fondue/easter egg hunt/and “Terrass Kids Club” surprise entertainment. €45 + €10 per child.

12-14 rue Joseph de Maistre, 18th. Tel: +33 (0)1 46 06 72 85

Terrass Hôtel

Pierre Hermé

When the “Picasso of pâtisserie” discovered the iconic Christofle MOOD elliptic shaped cutlery holder, he thought it resembled an Easter egg and decided to chocolatize it!

Using pure Belize Origin, Cayo District, Xibun Plantation 64% Cocoa, Hermé interprets the exquisite table setting piece in two versions: silver for Maison Christofle and chocolate for Maison Pierre Hermé Paris.

MOOD CHOCOLATE Christofle x Pierre Hermé – 18 cm (400g) – €49
MOOD CHOCOLATE Christofle x Pierre Hermé – limited edition size 30 cm (1.950 kg) – €240

And note the concept store, 86 Champs Elysées, 8th for tea time “Infiniment Chocolate” 18-22 April for €29. Tel: +33 (0)1 70 38 77 38

Christofle x Pierre Hermé, Easter 2019

Lead photo credit : Easter 2019 at Café de la Paix