The best chocolatiers Nantes

The Coutant chocolate factory will soon celebrate its 50 years of existence in Nantes, in the gourmet district of Copernic. This artisanal chocolate factory is known for its seriousness and its quality, never denied until today. In the district, regulars but also newcomers and other tourists regularly stop in front of the attractive store. Held by the sympathetic Véronique and Laurent Carretero and their faithful team, the artisanal creations are born under the sign of the subtlety and the balance. Every month, the store window changes according to the seasons, the holidays and the news from Nantes. Among the many creations, let's mention the Muscadettes nantaises (a ganache with muscadet brandy) or the macaroons (coffee, chocolate, Grand Marnier, blackcurrant, caramel, passion, lemon, etc.). The house also makes delicious florentines, these nougatine and candied fruit palets placed on a chocolate disc. Original creations of impeccable quality. Try the home-made chocolate bites like the Duchesses (orange ganache, caramel coulis and pistachio almond paste). Created by Mr. Coutant, the Anne de Bretagne crowns (70% cocoa, raisins, almonds and hazelnuts) have become famous. One comes of course to discover the traditional chocolates house, but also the chocolates of origins (Ivory Coast, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Peru and the innovations 2022 with Uganda or Papua. Always with the surprising Equacacao directly from Ecuador from the producer to the processor! In boxes, bags or bars, we succumb to the pleasure of chocolate. The Coutant fondant (chocolate fondant with 64% cocoa from Peru, chopped roasted almonds: excellent!) is a hit. Try also the new shortbread with raspberry inserts... In summer, homemade sorbets are available for our greatest pleasure. In 2022, we can now enjoy the new Nantais Coutant cake (4 or 6 parts according to the gourmands). The little bears made of marshmallow and dark or milk chocolate were also created! Not yet 50 years old, but still very creative.

In the Graslin district of Paris, Capkao has set its sights on cocoa, bringing on board the expertise and talent of two complementary partners: pastry chef Nicolas Riveau and chocolatier Anthony Bourdillat (son of Angevin chocolatier Stéphane Bourdillat). These two enthusiasts met at the Valrhona school, where they were both instructors. The idea of this pretty establishment, which is both a laboratory and a boutique where you can discover their delicious and creative creations, was born from their experiences at fine addresses (such as the Crillon with Christophe Adam). Their Capkao brand offers a wide range of chocolate bars (including the gourmet white chocolate and raspberry), spreads, delicious beketés (little chocolate candies with corn, dark chocolate, etc.), pralines and ganaches, including Souvenir d'enfance (vanilla yoghurt ganache with raspberry confit), Original (black sesame praline with fresh ginger) and Breton (buckwheat praline). As for pastries, you'll love the creamy vanilla flan, the pavlova, the chocolate financier, and cakes with evocative names: Cap sur l'Ardèche, featuring chestnuts, or Cap sur les States au chocolat. The welcome is warm, and Nicolas and Anthony take the time to explain their know-how. Good news: in 2022, L'Atelier Capkao has just opened. Pastry and chocolate-making classes can now be booked for 3 to 8 people maximum. Count on 2h30 of sharing and conviviality. And, of course, you get to take home your own creation! Anthony teaches the chocolate classes and Nicolas the pastry classes.

After successfully opening their chocolate pastry shop in Vertou in 2011, Stéphane Pasco, helped by his sister Isabelle in this beautiful adventure, set up a boutique in Nantes in the summer of 2019 to the delight of the people of Nantes. And to showcase the pastry chef's productions, they have created a sort of jewel case: a dark setting where the colours of delicious cakes, tasty cakes, pretty macaroons with pastel and acidic reflections are revealed, not forgetting the farandole of succulent chocolates. Taste pastries such as the Facilité, a favourite, salted butter caramel/milk chocolate mousse/salted peanuts/Brittany sand, or the Signature, a taste journey with sunny colours, vanilla light cream/ mango compote/ginger mango/coconut rock/shortbread, savour the delicacies for examplethe Pistachio-Amarena Cake, the airy and melting lightness of morello cherries, and taste chocolates such as Agapé, passion fruit ganache, a subtle sensation of eating the fruit. The expression "when art is tasted" takes on its full meaning here. Stéphane Pasco works pastry like a plastic art. And like in an art gallery, he exhibits his creations. You can admire his latest work all in chocolate in the shop window... We would eat it!

Debotté, a Nantes institution for three generations, a must for visitors, and still loved by the people of Nantes! The store on the Quai de la Fosse still amazes with its woodwork, chandeliers, friezes and scales classified as national heritage. Today, the two brothers have taken over: if Gérald is the chocolate maker, Josselin is the pastry chef. They have collected and preserved the paternal secrets of these strong and refined chocolates whose aromas seem to be part of the decor. Among the specialties of the house, the Mascaron, a dark chocolate rock filled with a crunchy praline and milk chocolate puff, created at the time when these mythological figures bloomed on rich facades to ward off evil spirits! Its magical power still seduces gourmets... Among the new products, try the Espelette pepper ganache with its heart of strawberry jelly, the 4 flavors sticks and the matcha tea chocolate. You will also find the famous berlingots from Nantes, and the Muscadet nantais which combines marinated grapes and dark chocolate. Josselin has inherited the family gift. His "pièce montée" is soft and light. You can taste his macaroons, Nantes cakes and other delicacies in the salons of the rue de Budapest or the rue Crébillon. Don't forget to buy your tea and coffee in the store on rue Copernic. And from now on, Debotté's homemade bread is also a beautiful baguette to take away! And in 2022 new ! the Mascaron pie is born : Breton shortbread, Mascaron with hazelnuts (Piedmont), dark chocolate ganache and dark chocolate plate ! Several formats exist, in stores or on order. We love this institution... When the weather is fine, you can also discover our homemade vacherin and other sweet treats!

Carli NANTES, a patisserie-chocolatier since 1948, enchants your taste buds with its refined creations. Recognized as one of the world's top 100 chocolatiers and awarded the Tablette d'Or every year since 2019, Carli is a symbol of French elegance and savoir-vivre. In its 9 boutiques in Nantes, Ancenis, Chateaubriant, Saint-Nazaire, Vallet, Cholet, Blain and Sainte-Luce, discover a delicious selection of chocolates made from quality cocoas. You'll be making a responsible purchase, as these delicacies comply with sustainability standards and come in recyclable and reusable packaging.

This boutique showcases the original creations of Thuriès. This chocolatier-harvester is a former Companion of the Tour de France, MOF pastry chef-chocolatier-confiseur and ice-cream maker. Here, gourmets discover chocolates made with cocoa from plantations in San Fernando (Ecuador) and the South-West. We love the variety of the chocolates. Fruity, floral, dark, milk, etc. The store's Truffelines (a base of crêpe dentelle and praline), Bouchons (dark praline chocolate bonbons) and Noisirons (confectionery with honey, candied fruit and hazelnuts) are also very appealing. But we're also looking forward to other delights, such as demi-macarons, caramel, pralines and spreads. Something for everyone!

And a six! Here is indeed, on the brand new mezzanine of the Nantes train station inaugurated at the end of November 2020, the sixth boutique of Vincent Guerlais, a chocolate maker that we no longer present! What a pleasure to be able to buy the delicious pastries and no less tasty chocolates of this craftsman of Nantes gastronomy while admiring the breathtaking view of Nantes with the emblematic Lu tower! Before or after your train journey, pastries and special creations await you for breakfast or a snack, to be complemented by coffee, tea, fresh orange juice or other fruit juices to take away. Try for example the Bostock, a soft brioche with almond cream and a nectar of strawberry sengana from Alain Milliat and let yourself be taken to Brazil, Colombia or Venezuela with a bar of Pure Origine chocolate in its exotic case. A treat for the taste buds!

The Castelanne chocolate factory in Nantes is a must for chocolate lovers. This chocolaterie offers a wide range of chocolates and confectionery made by master chocolatiers. The Castelanne.com online store lets you order your favorite chocolates and have them delivered to your home. Be sure to visit this high-end chocolate factory during your stay in Nantes.