tl;dr the chocolate macarons and pastries are sure to delight, and they are worth the premium price
When it comes to preeminent Parisian chocolatiers, few names are as ubiquitous as Jean-Paul Hervin. The confectioner earned the coveted Meilleurs Ouvriers de France recognition in 1986, and he opened his eponymous shop shortly thereafter. Now, the brand has expanded worldwide, and Hervin has been recognized as Best Pastry Chocolatier in the World by the World Pastry Stars in Milan. All that to say, Hervin's chocolate is rabidly hyped.
I visited Hervin's outpost near the Jardin du Luxembourg, and the Armani-like interior immediately floored me. The polished concrete floors and golden walls are minimally decorated. Black-suited staff guard the crystaline countertops. Accent lighting shines onto rows of chocolates, cakes, and confections.
My family stopped in late on a weekday, and many a window-shopper among us was converted into a full-blown customer. We opted for a variety of take-home treats, which were tastefully packaged into navy-and-gold takeout boxes. The Super Amer Macaron was intensely ganache-y, like a sophisticated take on brownie batter. I also loved the Praline Feuillete, a mild chocolate-covered sphere of biscuit, mousse, and hazelnut (a truly premium alternative to Ferrero Rocher). The raspberry-iced Framboise gateau au chocolat was less up my alley, although I did appreciate the top-notch components. The packaged chocolates were no slough, either, and made for excellent souvenirs.
The service was sophisticated without ever coming off as snobbish. We ended up spending over 30 euros, but our haul was well worth the premium. If you're looking for Parisian pastries to truly knock your socks off, Hervin is a solid bet. read more