I’m a huge fan of cities at Christmas. The twinkle lights, the department store windows, the chill in the air. While Paris doesn’t quite hold a candle to my beloved New York (it’s tough to do better than a city where it snows…) there are a few things I love to do in my adopted city in December: tour the department store windows (this year, my favorites are at BHV), see the tree lit up in front of Notre Dame, attend a Christmas concert or two… and sip hot chocolate in a beautiful Parisian courtyard.
On most days, I would have no reason to visit Les Jardins du Marais, despite the fact that it’s right across the street from my beloved Korus. But this winter, Hugo & Victor has set up a chocolate stand in the middle of the courtyard of this gorgeous hotel, peddling delicious hot chocolate and a few other delicacies.
People who know me know that chocolate is not usually my thing, but I made an exception for two reasons: firstly, hot chocolate is the exception to my no-chocolate rule, especially when it’s not too sweet. And secondly, Little Sister was in town last week and was craving some cocoa.
She paired the chocolat viennois (aka hot chocolate with mounds of whipped cream) with a decadent chocolate eclair.
I, meanwhile, went for something a bit off-brand for Hugo & Victor but no less delicious: a waffle spread with crème de marrons, a chestnut paste that’s sweetened with sugar and vanilla and is synonymous with a French Christmas.
It was, all in all, the perfect way to start the season.
Les Jardins du Marais – 74, rue Amelot, 75011