The art and design of Le chocolat des Français.

A short walk from the Louvre, along Avenue de l’Opera, is a small corner storefront. Its large glass windows pop with color, in stark contrast to the muted Parisian limestone surrounding it. A peek inside, reveals walls covered with a crowd of characters, each drawn by a thick black line as if enlarged from the pages of a zine. Against this graphic backdrop, shelves in vibrant hues display a cornucopia of small canvases, spaced far enough apart to breathe, like pieces in a gallery commanding attention. A closer look into this boutique shows that these are not a collection of miniatures, but packages of chocolates.

Le chocolat des Français offers more than sweets. The Paris confectionary marries fine chocolate with artistic expression, each bar wrapped in bold illustrations. It’s literal eye candy.

“Art is an integral part of the DNA of Le chocolat des Français,” says Paul-Henri Masson, who, along with friends Matthieu Escande and Vincent Muraire, cofounded the company ten years ago. “We simply wanted to combine these two worlds, to create products that were as beautiful as they were delicious.”

Beyond the wrapper

“Our mission is to be identified as the chocolate brand dedicated to artists,” Masson explains. And that they do with Our Friends, the Artists. It’s a collection of truncated portfolios of the artists whose work adorn their chocolate bars. Each artist page includes a brief bio, link to the artist’s site, selected artwork, and of course, images of their Le chocolat des Français packaging.

Masson recalls the pride of working with established artists in the company’s early days, though today he explains, “We are talent scouts, looking to unearth the talent of tomorrow, who have not yet been identified by other brands.” No small feat, Masson admits, “Staying unique is a daily challenge.”

But while every artist and package may be different, the red thread connecting them is chocolate at heart: inspired by joy and positivity, delivered in multicolored and saturated appearance. It’s always light, offbeat, and humorous. And while we can’t share the taste without import taxes, we can let you judge the art for its own sake.