Whether you're madly in love, carefree single or lovesick, it's hard to escape Valentine's Day.
If it is judged for its commercial spirit by some, others see it as an opportunity to spoil their loved one, bring a little self-esteem or even celebrate in the company of friends.
Enough to challenge pastry chefs and chocolatiers, who after the logs and galettes des Rois, continue to show imagination, this time to say “I love you” with relish.
Chocolates, champagne or pretty boxes filled with macaroons... Our selection to gently convey the fire of feelings.
To discover
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Chocolate, a trusted choice
A tradition rooted in our habits for generations, it is customary to offer chocolate on February 14.
A gesture that we never tire of and which never ceases to inspire chocolatiers.
Valrhona for example, in homage to the great classics of French pastry, has created a box in which each candy bears the flavors of a dessert (millefeuille, Paris-Brest, crème caramel, etc.).
For his part, Pierre Hermé called on the talents of Japanese illustrator Yukiko Noritake to imagine a flowery setting, into which to slip an assortment of signature chocolates, like L'Infiniment praline pignon de cedar.
To discover alone or accompanied.
For those who are more undecided, the starred chef Olivier Nasti has teamed up with the Kaviari house to deliver a box combining a nice selection of chocolates and a prestigious Oscietra caviar.
Our selection of treats for Valentine's Day
In images, in pictures
See the slideshow29 photos
See the slideshow29 photos
High-flying cakes
Chocolate is also discovered in the form of desserts, like the one called Les Mots d'amour, signed Lenôtre.
A heart-shaped sweet, glazed with chocolate and containing an exotic compote, a crunchy feuillantine with hazelnut praline, and a soft cocoa biscuit.
The whole thing is nestled in a creamy dark chocolate mousse.
The Ladurée house gives pride of place to fruit with a kiss-shaped dessert: its original silhouette houses an almond dacquoise, a strawberry compote and a mascarpone whipped cream flavored with vanilla and orange blossom.
Finally, the chef of the Grande Épicerie de Paris, Thibault Leroy, focuses on fruit, with a tart composed of a sweet pastry, an exotic caramel and pieces of fresh mango.
The whole thing is topped with a spoon biscuit, a mango compote with lime zest and finally, a dulcey chocolate decoration, made by the house chocolatier, Mathieu Mooc.
Love and bubbles
Bubbles are also in order this Valentine's Day.
For this occasion, the Gosset house has created a brut rosé champagne with a salmon color and aromas of fresh red fruits, a marriage between chardonnay and pinot noir grape varieties.
For its part, the Tessendier distillery delivers a gin combining aromas of strawberry and hibiscus flower, called Mr Gaston Pink gin.
And for evenings under the sign of sobriety, French Bloom delivers a box combining two flagship products from the house specializing in alcohol-free products: a sparkling wine composed of de-alcoholized organic French chardonnay wine, organic white grape juice and aromas natural, like lemon.
The second bottle is also made from a blend of de-alcoholized French organic chardonnay wine and red grapes, giving it notes of rose petals, freshly picked berries and delicate peaches.
To share in good company.