One of my favorite things to do in Paris is just wander around, often in neighborhoods that aren't really known for anything special. There's always something interesting to find; shops specializing in vintage hairbrushes and combs, a locksmith for doors installed only during the reign of Napolean III, or the recently-departed Reptiles World (sic), which was one of my favorite places to pass the time while waiting for a train at the nearby Gare du Nord.
And of course, I'm usually on the lookout for food, and am especially keen when I come across a shop specializing in candymaking or chocolate. If I get lucky, I discover some little treasure, often in the most unlikeliest of places.
Le Furet Tanrade was opened in 1728, and it's still one of the sweetest little chocolate shops I've found in Paris.
Sure, their chocolates aren't nearly as sleek or refined as their Left Bank counterparts, but I appreciated their handmade charm all the same. Especially the petits dark squares filled with a crisp morsel of mint fondant cloaked in brusque, dark chocolate. And the chocolates filled with caramel and feuilleté were certainly as delicious as those found in swankier boutiques.
One chocolate that piqued my curiosity was flavored with chanvre, a word I wasn't familiar with. Although I've been previously familiar with the green leaf embedded atop the chocolate in my younger days, she offered a sample since she was having difficulty explaining exactly what was inside. (The French word for what I thought it was is a four-letter word in English...madame might not have appreciated my translation.)
But then, in that little shop, I learned my Word-For-The-Day: the ganache was infused with hemp.
(For the record, I'd advise against overseas shipping.)
But should you find yourself near the Gare du Nord or Gare d'Est, and need to pass a bit of time (or want try to get a bit of a buzz)...or if you just want to take a journey to a less-visited quartier of Paris, Le Furet Tanrade certainly makes a tasty stopping point.
Le Furet Tanrade
63, rue de Chabrol (10th)
Tél: 01 47 70 48 34
Métro: Poissonière
This gives new meaning to the phrase 'chocolate high"!
Barbara: I got a message from a nice young man in the US who was 'experimenting' making chocolates with le petard (which is another way of saying Mary Jane in French.) I declined, since if La Poste managed to get that delivery to me, I'm afraid it might be followed by a visit from Les Gendarmes!
ah, but david is it the 'good stuff' lol? most hemp oil here in the US positively states on the label that it's THC-free.
now i suppose this takes the magic brownie recipe up a notch.
I bet that was Alice B. Toklas's favorite chocolate shop!
Have you been to Hervion Chocolatier in Vincennes? I don't know if it's okay or great, I was there with a Paris-born friend who assured me it was especially wonderful. I like chocolate but am just starting to learn. Thanks for your edifying posts!
I think I wandered into this place once. I do not recall seeing chocolate there but they had some very interesting and slightly unusual confitures. I remember liking one that was named 'Sous le Soleil,' although I cannot quite recall what was in it. It had an extra something though (not hemp!).
I have been to this place a few times...did you read the clippings on the windows about the owner? He once staged a small rebellion in his shop window, sat there and refused to eat, or something like that. It has been about 2 years since I read it all. And although I have yet to try them, he makes savory éclairs, which have piqued my curiosity.
Alisa:
That's pretty odd...I'm not sure I believe you.
A French person going on strike?
I positively like the way you talk about Paris...
That you seem to know even better than us poor parisians lost in the "metro boulot dodo" routine...
G. Bless U.
why would I lie? Wierd stories are ALWAYS true - who could make that stuff up? :)