The art of French chocolate eggs: Heritage Series
Happy leftover Easter chocolate eating week to all who celebrate
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell!
One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Paris in April 2019 was the proliferation of elaborate chocolate eggs in chocolate shop windows. They were so delicate, so flawless, so decorative that their existence almost seemed impossible.
And not just eggs: there are bells, hens, fish and mussels, and other cute little animals, all cast in high-quality chocolate.
France has a culture that celebrates the artist’s flight of fancy. It’s well-known that the chocolateries don’t just roll out the same old designs every year—they proudly present that year’s exclusive themes, designs, and flavors.
And this is not just for Easter, it’s for every major chocolate-adjacent holiday: Valentine’s Day, Christmas of course, and even Halloween. The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in the 18th century or early 19th century (opinions vary) and have continued ever since.
How are these eggs made? First by pouring a thin layer of melted chocolate into egg-shaped molds (or two half-eggs) and allowing it to harden. Once the chocolate has hardened, the mold is removed, leaving behind a hollow chocolate egg.
Often the chocolatier will then fill it up with different layers of chocolate, hazelnut, or praline, or dip it into another layer like a sugar coating, or put jelly beans and smaller molded chocolates inside so they cascade out when the egg is broken. And of course, they decorate it with a little face or a colorful mirror-glaze coating, etc. Sometimes, as in the Alain Ducasse example below, they carve away from the the original mold, giving the chocolate a claylike effect.
I want to share a few of this year’s creations from the top chocolate makers in France so you can get a sense of the range of creativity—and the depth of care—that goes into these offerings. Just because Easter is over doesn’t mean you can’t still order some of these astonishing works of chocolate art to enjoy in your own home!
La Maison du Chocolat: Egg Sportif
I mean. The copy from their website in the photo caption says it all.
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse: Turned Easter Egg
This handmade design only ships to Paris, by courier! But you can have some mixed boxes shipped to America and mainland Europe.
Chocolat Bonnat: Hyperrealistic eggshells
Bonnat is one of my must-visit chocolate shops in Paris (or Voiron, where they’re based) because they don’t ship outside France at all and don’t have tons of stockists. The chocolate bars make great souvenir gifts because they’re so exclusive and the packaging is gorgeous.
Debauve & Gallais: Easter bell
Not an egg, but obviously I have to feature a bell! The legend goes that all the church bells in France stop ringing on Maundy Thursday because they fly to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. On their way back to their churches on Easter morning, they drop chocolates for all the children of France. Makes about as much sense as a bunny!
This year, I hosted a lively, cozy Easter lunch at my home in Boston, where eight adults and a child crowded around my dining table meant for four. I set Cluizel chocolate Easter eggs at each place setting, and sprinkled smaller ones in Easter grass down the center of the table.
My guests were delighted with their little take-home gifts and I had fun bringing some of my husband’s French culture (my culture-in-law?) to an American Easter celebration.
Do you guys know about these iconic chocolate eggs? Have you ever bought one? What’s your favorite amongst the above? Mine is the bell, of course. ;)
xx Jane
All so Lovely and Creative - A Hershey's Choc Bar just cannot compare💁🏻♀️😉🤎Lovely Set Table🥂🍾🌞
Very nice post and picture of your table