Jean-Paul Hévin: Master Chocolatier and Pastry Artisan
A visit to the Saint-Honoré neighborhood wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the Jean-Paul Hévin Pastry Shop, just a 3-minute walk from the Relais Saint-Honoré. Jean-Paul Hévin is celebrated as one of Paris’s finest chocolatiers, boasting over 25 years of experience. Starting as the Pastry Chef at Joël Robuchon in 1976, Hévin quickly developed a passion for chocolate. His dedication was recognized in 1986 when he earned the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Workman of France).
Indulge in the Delicacies of Jean-Paul Hévin
Jean-Paul Hévin’s stores offer three main types of indulgences:
- Cakes, primarily made from chocolate
- Chocolates
- Macarons
With five locations in Paris and 20 worldwide (including 11 in Japan), Jean-Paul Hévin’s creations are cherished across the globe. His expertise in chocolate has won him a dedicated following, particularly in Japan, where his confections are highly esteemed.
Testing the Finest Chocolate Cakes
At the Jean-Paul Hévin shop at No. 231 rue Saint-Honoré, we were greeted warmly by a knowledgeable team. We sampled five of their finest chocolate cakes:
- The Chocolate Tart: Almond and dark chocolate pastry with a bitter chocolate ganache.
- Tonka: Praline streusel, almond biscuit, and tonka bean mousse with Venezuelan dark chocolate.
- Goa: Almond biscuit with yuzu juice, Darjeeling tea mousse, and Brazilian Grand Cru dark chocolate.
- The Turin: Almond shortbread with black currants, almond cream, and brown mousse.
- Passion: Praliné, dark chocolate ganache with rum, and dark chocolate mousse with passion fruit juice.
Our taste test revealed Tonka as the top choice, praised for its complex texture and fireworks of flavor. The Chocolate Tart followed closely, admired for its powerful cocoa taste. The other cakes—Goa, Passion, and Turin—were also delightful, even for those who aren’t particularly fond of chocolate cakes. With prices ranging from €4.90 to €6.20, these pastries are a steal for such high quality.
Top Macarons in Paris: Jean-Paul Hévin
In a macaron taste test of four renowned brands, Jean-Paul Hévin emerged as the winner. While two brands were immediately eliminated for their overly sweet or industrial-tasting products, and Naoki macarons appealed to those who prefer subtle flavors, Hévin’s macarons stood out for their perfect balance of crisp shells and rich fillings.
His praline macaron was particularly impressive, offering a delightful texture with powerful chocolate flavor. The sesame, crème brûlée, and grapefruit macarons also garnered praise.
Price per macaron: €1.60—a small price to pay for perfection.
Jean-Paul Hévin
231, rue Saint-Honoré – 75001 Paris
Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
