The history of chocolate conquering France is a beautiful love story. Since its introduction to the court, chocolate became a must to all French palaces. An adventure that continues today, as French chocolate has been a reference of quality throughout the world.
Introduction of Chocolate to the French Court
Once in Europe, chocolate began to cross borders and started to be known in England, Germany, the Netherlands and France of course. French court discovered the chocolate for the first time in Bayonne, at the wedding of Maria Theresa of Austria and Louis XIII.
But it took few more years before chocolate conquered the French palaces. King Louis XIV was the first one to introduce chocolate to the court of Versailles. The small chocolate drink became inescapable to the king and his aristocracy. Chocolate remained a luxury product in France, that only some privileged persons had the honor to have on their tables.
Chocolate Becomes More Democratic and to Conquer France
In 1609, expelled Jewish merchants from Spain by the Inquisition moved their workshops in Bayonne (France). Thus, small population of South- West of France had the chance to experience chocolate for the first time. The taste for this delicacy spread throughout France so quickly that in 1659, Mr David Chaillou opened the first chocolate factory in Paris.
In 1732, Mr Debuisson created the first table to grind cocoa beans, a tool that became essential and made easier the preparation of chocolate. Logically, the first industrial chocolate factory was set up in the Pyrenees in 1814. In 1884, the first breakfast with chocolate and vanilla cream was invented in France.
