Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Various Chocolate and Pastry Shops in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Photos & Highlights
- Discover the evolution of chocolate, from bean to delicacy, with ample tastings
- Led by a professional chef or food writer
Select a date
Tour Description
Truffles, pralines, ganache...What's the difference? Beginning in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, your pastries and chocolates tour with a food expert will answer these questions and more. You'll indulge your sweet tooth at several chocolate shops, and maybe even stop to admire the whimsically detailed chocolate sculptures at a classic chocolaterie. As you taste their wares, you'll discuss the process behind the transformation from cocoa bean to the various chocolate delicacies sold in shops today, and maybe touch on chocolate's transformation from luxury good to affordable treat.
Next, you'll go on to discuss the rich dessert history associated with Paris and, more importantly, the evolution of the celebrated Parisian treat, the macaron. Stopping at a variety of these confectionery shops, you will compare and contrast the flavors, products, and techniques used. You may visit a top boutique to sample their flavorful take on the macaron, or try a colorful array at a family-owned boulangerie. From marvelous meringue and tartes to rich pure chocolate, this walk will tantalize every one of your senses.
This edible adventure through an upscale and iconic Left Bank neighborhood will enhance your appreciation for this sweet treat, as well as open your eyes to the complex science involved in the chocolate-making process.
Experts
- You have a serious sweet tooth. Not only will you get your fill of sweets on the tour itself, but you’ll come away with a list of shops and other specialties to try during your time in France.
- You want to visit the beautiful Left Bank of Paris in a fun and different way, by discovering its sweetest shops.
- You love deep diving into particular subjects and want to learn about the history of pastries and chocolates in France.
- Macarons- what trip to Paris would be complete without tasting an elegant macaron? Your guide will introduce you to some of our favorites.
- Chocolate-some of the world’s best chocolate makers have set up shop here, you would be remiss not to pay a visit.
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Seasonal specialties-bûche de noel in December, tarte aux fraises in late spring, part of life in France is savoring what is available according to the season.
- While the number of tastings can vary depending on the guide and your tastes and interests, we can guarantee you will not come away from this tour hungry. As one client recently put it, "We thought we would never want to eat again!". You may want to plan for something savory after the tour is over, however, to mitigate the sugar rush!
- We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run, hours and availability may vary.
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour. We don’t recommend this tour for gluten allergies or those with illnesses which make them sensitive to sugar.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Paris, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about … prior to a visit, check out our online lectures at Context Learning.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The walk begins near the Église St-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank, and stays in a concentrated area in the neighborhood. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Is this tour good for kids?
Yes! We have some excellent family friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children, and what kid wouldn’t want to spend half the day eating chocolate?
There are 7 in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
Unfortunately not. The small independent shops we visit on our tour are small and prefer we keep our group sizes to 6 maximum for the best experience.
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We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Some of the shops we visit are small and many will have a step up to access them. The general route may include small streets with narrow sidewalks; please contact us if you have any questions regarding accessibility.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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411 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We loved it all, and the docent was more expert than we expected. Very personable, knowledgeable, and committed to providing us an experience that we enjoyed. So much fun! Also, the shopkeepers along the way all seemed to enjoy and respect her. At one point, one of the staff came running out to give her a giant teary hug, which we appreciated very much. High quality person. The amount of food was just right: meaning, completely over the top, of course. Great variety and organization and progression to it all. I feel that I understand and appreciate chocolate and French pastry a lot more now.
Marci
Reviewed on:
Nov 8, 2016
This survey repeats! What I said previously: We loved it all, and the docent was more expert than we expected. Very personable, knowledgeable, and committed to providing us an experience that we enjoyed. So much fun! Also, the shopkeepers along the way all seemed to enjoy and respect her. At one point, one of the staff came running out to give her a giant teary hug, which we appreciated very much. High quality person. The amount of food was just right: meaning, completely over the top, of course. Great variety and organization and progression to it all. I feel that I understand and appreciate chocolate and French pastry a lot more now.
Marci
Reviewed on:
Nov 8, 2016
<p>Hi Marion,</p>
<p>I wanted to share this feedback we recently received. The client enjoyed the tour but had some suggestions for improvement. She's traveled with Context many times in the past so her insight may be helpful.</p>
<p>I should reiterate that since we met for coffee, you've gotten some wonderful feedback. It's obvious to me you are a fantastic docent and we trust you fully. So please don't be alarmed by her criticisms.</p>
<p>Below the feedback (ignore the mention of baguettes—it's a chocolate tour!). Let me know what you think.</p>
<p>Best, Sara</p>
<p><em>Marion was professional and congenial, but she did not impart very much information and we did not visit very many shops. We had a choquette at a boulangerie, but did not learn about baguettes, etc. We had a hot chocolate at Angelina's, and a paris brest at Patisserie des Reves. My granddaughter had a madeleine at Bon Marche, and we finished with a tiny chocolate at Marion's favorite chocolate shop. I think she was delightful but shared too much information about herself and not enough interesting tidbits for a 9 year old. I also felt I could have visited the same spots and had the same experience since we did not amplify the visits.</em></p>
Ann
Reviewed on:
Nov 5, 2016
