very picky chocolate question

All the chocolate posts are great, but I need to triage and be selective during on our trip to Paris, since husband-the-chocolate-fiend will be working most days. He loves 70-85% cacao chocolate, is okay with milk chocolate provided it%26#39;s good, hates gooey fillings including truffle chocolates, but loves them with stuff he can chew, like nuts, caramel, blah blah. This is a late birthday present; price range: $200 more or less. Any suggestions?

Also, has anyone done this chocolate barge tour near the Bibliotheque Nationale? Is it worthwhile?

Thanks as usual.

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I%26#39;d go to any of the La Maison du Chocolat outlets, tell them exactly what you told us. Then I%26#39;d let them make a selection up to your price limit.

Actually, I wouldn%26#39;t do that. I%26#39;d go to Gerard Mulot and select my own favorites from them, but it%26#39;s not a place for leisurely shopping by and large. The place gets pretty crowded and the sales staff are usually very busy.

You can for the most part forget milk chocolate, I think. It%26#39;s not that common in France. (I suppose it could be more common than I think it is since I don%26#39;t like and never look for the stuff...)

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If you%26#39;re not going to go all out have have an 85% cocoa dark chocolate lifesized model of him made.......

I would go to

RICHART

258 bd St Germain

75007 PARIS

Tel 33/1 45 55 66 00

Metro : Solférino

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I%26#39;d vote La Maison du Chocolat as well, and was discussing it and other chocolate must do%26#39;s with a serious chocoholic just this week. Here in the US try Norman Love%26#39;s chocolate%26#39;s. He one of the best in the world.

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lamaisonduchocolat.com/services/…12.pdf

Take a look at this ! If not exactly cheap these arrangements look VERY interesting - have anybody in here participated ??

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Charles Rochoux in St Germain

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Jean Charles Rochoux (formerly of Michel Chaudin, another GREAT chocolatier) is one of the best chocolatiers in Paris today, and his products are less industrialized than Maison du Choco. Chocolate bars with figs, candied orange peels, carmelized nuts and the like.

He is on the rue d%26#39;Assass near the rue de Rennes

The best caramel in dark choco in the city is at Debauve et Gallais on the rue des St Peres (and yes, I have tried them all). It is called the duo.

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A little store in the 9eme, called l’Etoile d’Or - the Golden Star - operated by Denise Acabo. One of THE best places to buy the best caramels on the planet (from Le Roux in Quiberon) and the only place outside of Lyon to buy Bernachon. And one of the purveyors of Bonnat.

My friend who lives in Paris is a chocolate snob (he like to say expert ;-)) He swears that Bonnat is the best chocolate in the world and only consumes their 75% cocoa variety. Bonnat is one of the top few chocolatiers in the world today who creates its chocolate from the cocoa bean itself.

l’Etoile d’Or is on 30 rue Fontaine near the Pigalle metro stop.

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Thanks all. Now, if I could just find the perfect creme brulee....

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt; Now, if I could just find the perfect creme brulee.... %26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

You can! You just have to devote the rest of your life to the search. Have faith!

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Ladurée does very good chocolates in addition to the wonderful pastries.