Maison Boissier opens Galerie Vivienne boutique-museum

Maison Boissier has just set up shop in one of Paris's most beautiful covered passages, the Galerie Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement. This confectionery house, founded in 1827, has given itself a new counter worthy of its bicentenary history, with a small museum upstairs that recounts nearly two centuries of French savoir-faire. Marrons glacés, the absolute pride of the house, take pride of place in a dedicated cellar, alongside the revisited confections of yesteryear that Parisians have adored for ages.

It's hard to imagine a better setting than a covered passageway listed as a historic monument. The Galerie Vivienne is like stepping into a timeless bubble, with its Facchina mosaics running across the floor and its elegant glass roof filtering soft light. Built in 1823, this gallery, with its neo-classical Pompeian decor, is as much a part of Parisian heritage as the adjacent Jousseaume bookshop, which has been going strong for ages. Between designer boutiques and tearooms, Boissier is an obvious choice in this setting steeped in history.

What's immediately striking is the boutique-museum concept, a departure from the simple point-of-sale. On the first floor, you'll find the usual delicacies, but it's upstairs that things get really interesting. Sylvie Douce and François Jeantet, the current owners of the house who bought it in 2000, have laid their hands on a treasure trove of archives: collector's tins that tell the story of Boissier, antique molds that bear witness to the techniques of yesteryear, cloth bags and a whole host of promotional items that are well worth a visit. Mind you, it's not huge, but the discoveries are fascinating.

You'll discover the world of Bélisaire Boissier, the confectioner who had the brilliant idea of inventing the technique of glazing marrons glacés in the early 19th century.

The highlight of the show is the famous chestnut cellar, which mimics a wine cellar. Behind a glass case, you can admire the different vintages selected by the house. Chestnuts from Ardèche, with their tender texture and fruity taste, share the limelight with those from Piedmont, softer and more delicate, and those from Campania, downright sweet with a hint of roasted chestnuts. In all, thirteen different specialties, some of which have been flavored with cognac, vanilla or even chocolate. You can taste them on the spot, in a special area, just as you would fine wines. The idea is rather well thought-out.

Boissier's famous poudriers also feature prominently in the showcases. These iron boxes, which resemble vintage make-up accessories, are part of the brand's DNA. The historic colors - that typically Boissier blue, green and pink - are mixed with brighter hues such as canary yellow and fuchsia. Inside, you'll find bonbon boules, the smooth, fruit-filled balls that made the company's reputation among elegant 19th-century Parisians. Cherry, strawberry, mint, lime, these little marvels were already seducing theater and opera-goers at a time when carrying sweets was a fashionable thing to do.

As for chocolate, the range is rather well-stocked: petals, beggars, tablets, fondants, crunchies, there's something for every taste. Sylvie Douce, who is none other than the creator of Salon du Chocolat, took over the business with her husband François Jeantet in 2000 when it was on the brink of collapse. Since then, the couple have worked with some fifteen partner artisans, almost all of them French, to perpetuate this savoir-faire. For their chestnuts, they use the same supplier as Patrick Roger and Pierre Hermé, so quality is no laughing matter.

Each visitor is offered a candy tasting, so that they can taste before they buy. The company's philosophy is that you should first taste with your eyes, then with your palate. This sensory approach, combined with the cultural dimension of the place with its small museum, transforms discovery into a veritable gourmet and heritage stroll. Take your time in this covered passageway, far from the hustle and bustle of the main boulevards, and immerse yourself in a world where elegance and sugar go hand in hand.

This new address completes the company's Parisian network, which already includes two boutiques, rue du Bac in the 7th arrondissement and rue de Passy in the 16th arrondissement, plus a number of corners at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and La Samaritaine. By setting up shop in the Galerie Vivienne, a stone's throw from the Palais Royal and the Bibliothèque Richelieu, Boissier is reconnecting with the history of covered passageways, which enjoyed their golden age in the 19th century, precisely when Bélisaire Boissier opened his first counters on boulevard des Capucines, before spreading out to the capital's most beautiful thoroughfares.

This move to a location so steeped in history also paves the way for the company's bicentenary celebrations in 2027. A unique exhibition will recount the beginnings of the confectionery and highlight the career of Bélisaire Boissier, the provincial confectioner who conquered Paris with his ingenuity and became the official supplier to the imperial haute bourgeoisie. Victor Hugo, Émile Zola and Alexandre Dumas were all fans of his creations.

This address clearly appeals to the curious in search of sweets from a great historic house who like to take their time, to lovers of Parisian history and beautiful objects, to gourmands looking for prestigious gifts or simply to those who want to discover exceptional savoir-faire in an enchanting setting. People come here to enjoy an experience, not just to buy sweets on the run. If you're looking for low prices, you'll have to pass. This is a luxury artisan confectionery, with prices that match the standing and quality of the products. Of course, it's more expensive than supermarkets, but can you really compare handcrafted marrons glacés from the best chestnut-growing regions with industrial products? Quality comes at a price, and at Boissier, it comes at the right price for expertise.

The Maison Boissier boutique in the Galerie Vivienne is located at 64, with access from 6 rue Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 1.30pm and 2pm to 7pm. To get there by metro, Bourse (line 3), Grands Boulevards or Richelieu Drouot (line 9) and Palais Royal (line 1) stations are just a few minutes' walk away.