The Sweetest Little Shop in Paris: La Maison Méert

I was strolling through the streets of le Marais district in search of le Musée Cognacq-Jay one fine day last September when I chanced upon a little jewel. For there on the corner of Rue Elzévir and Rue de Parc Royal, its glossy black façade gleaming in the autumn sun, stood the sweetest little shop in Paris, La Maison Méert. 

Enticing Confections

Located a few short blocks from the regal Place des Vosges, I was soon to discover that it offered more than just a romantic storefront. For as I approached its welcoming window, a wonderful selection of freshly-baked sweets greeted me. And if these delicacies weren’t enough to entice me to enter, the charming, angelically-decorated, aqua-coloured cookie boxes sealed the deal. Crossing the threshold, I felt as though I had stepped back in time. For before me stood the most magical display of confections that it overwhelmed my senses. I didn’t know where to begin.

Chocolat

So, I put one foot in front of the other and approached the chocolate counter. Before me lay a wonderful assortment of flavour-filled delicacies. And their labels, indicating the source of their cacao, read like an exotic map of the world, listing places such as Madagascar, Venezuela, Brazil and Ghana. And many of these shiny, brown gems were named after notable French people, most real, some imaginary. I settled on Amélie and Léopold to help satisfy my cravings. Both were absolutely heavenly!

Pralines

That settled, I continued my exploration of this enchanting confectionery. A stack of bright, fuchsia, cylindrical boxes, mirroring the aqua ones I had seen in the window, caught my eye. Upon closer look, I discovered that they were filled with Rose Pralines: rose-flavoured, candy-covered, almonds. A perfect souvenir to return home with, I thought.

Double-Take

My sweet-tooth satiated, I departed Méert, with my bag of goodies. As I turned to take one last look at what I now consider to be the sweetest little shop in Paris, I did a double-take. For, on the corner of the building, above the gold shop signage, I noticed that there were two street signs. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that each bore a different name. So, what was now Rue Elzévir, had once been Rue Des Trois Pavillons. A little investigating informed me that, since 1545, this street has actually had four different names. And it was last renamed in 1867 when, due to its proximity to Imprimerie Nationale – the National Printer – it took on the name of a 16th-century family of Dutch printers.  Another fascinating Parisian discovery on that warm September afternoon.

La Maison Méert  16 Rue Elzévir, 75003 Paris, France

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