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| Chocolate padlocks at A la Mère de Famille |
For the past couple of weeks, I've been pounding the pavement and scouring the city for the most original Valentine's Day chocolate. Peering through store window after store window, all the while trying to keep my cravings at bay, I've seen chocolate hearts, shoes, dresses, cigars, wafers with "I Love You" written in multiple languages, hearts appearing to be on fire, Eiffel Towers, birds with heart-shaped nests, and, did I mention, hearts?
Just when I was about to throw in the towel and give up on finding anything truly innovative, I paused in front of A la Mère de Famille on rue de la Pompe to look at what I thought would be more chocolate hearts. Studying the window, I noticed some chicken wire festooned with red roses, white hearts, and .... what's that? Padlocks with initials engraved on them!? Suddenly, the image of a couple pledging their eternal love to each other on the Pont des Arts popped into my mind. But rather than clamping a real padlock on the bridge, A la Mère de Famille proposes that people declare their undying love with chocolate padlocks. Not only is this idea extraordinarily clever, it's also the perfect alternative to the ones that mar the cityscape of Paris.
The padlocks, decorated with a simple heart or made-to-order with your initials, are 19 euros and have my vote for the most original Valentine's Day chocolate in Paris. Please click here if you would like to see photos of the other chocolate contenders. Disclaimer: As I wasn't able to visit all of the chocolatiers in Paris, I'm sure that I missed many other creative Valentine's Day designs. If you see something that sets your heart on fire, please post a photo of it on "Out and About's" Facebook page!
A la Mère de Famille
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| Real locks rusting on the Pont des Arts |
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| The Pont des Arts - covered with locks and snow! |