A La Mere de Famille

A la Mere de Famille is the ultimate kid in a candy shop experience. Any sweet lover will have a field day at this wunderbar wonderland of candies, sweets, chocolates, cakes, and any other confections you could think of.

On rue du Montmartre Faubourg in the 9th arr., A la Mere de Famille, dating back from 1761, is truly an old fashioned candy store/confiserie, with pale gray and white tile floors, big glass jars filled with goodies, a dark wood cashiers kiosk, leaded glass chandeliers, and wooden counters with blue & white enamel signs listing the products.


I had discovered the shop a while back, but waited till holiday time to go back to photograph the special holiday treats, and was not disappointed.

Traditional fruitcakes loaded with glazed fruits, jolly white & milk chocolate snowmen with red trimmed scarves, an oversized Champagne glass filled with chocolate cocoa dusted truffles, and callisons (almond paste diamond shaped cookies) in silver & gold were among some of the delightful Christmas offerings.

Another Christmas specialty was the “Le Monarque” cake created in the 15th century in Nantes. Packed in a cute little white box with a carry handle, the description and history of the soft, gooey gateau of almonds with a white glazed top, is on the back in royal blue script.

The true standout was the stunning, glistening glazed fruits of figs, oranges, strawberries, & kiwis that looked like still life Impressionist paintings come to life.

I could spend hours in a store like this, marveling at the colors, textures, packaging, and the selection of hundreds upon hundreds of dazzling sweets.

Shocking but true, I only bought one small gift item but I did raid the sample tray as much as I could without being caught.

A La Mere de Famille
35 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
Metro: Grand Boulevards
Tel. 01 47 70 83 69
Click here for other locations

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com