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Awhile back, we told you where to find some of the best chocolate in Paris, and many of those celebrated chocolate houses have tea salons attached serving chocolat chaud à l'ancienne -- with real, high quality chocolate and milk, not scary powder. We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the fierce belief among the Frencher-than-the-French tourist that the best place to drink hot chocolate is the legendary and overrated Cafe Angélina on the rue de Rivoli. A certain kind of (especially American or Japanese) tourist will in fact be scolded by his/her snobby and like-minded acquaintances if he/she does not return with reports of a trip to this tourist trap. More on that below for those of you who cannot resist the peer pressure. But here are our suggestions for a handful of more deserving places to tuck in and drink un chocolat chaud -- one of the great comforts and pick-me-ups of winter in Paris.

Cacao et Chocolat

29 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris, France

This shop, with three convenient (for tourists) branches in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Marais, and on the Ile Saint-Louis, has a chocolate bar where you can throw back a quick shot of hot chocolate. They also… have hot chocolate to go in a city where even the frequenters of the Paris branches of evil Starbucks don't often leave the store clutching paper cups. But chocolat chaud to go is a handy solution for those days when you can't deal with elbowing French citizens for a bit of personal space inside the boutique; take your cup to a bench or a bridge somewhere to sip it in peace



Café Angélina

226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Your spoon will stay straight up in the unctuous l'Africain hot chocolate at Angelina's, the most famous hot chocolate in Paris (especially among American and Japanese tourists). This hot chocolate makes… us sick to our stomachs, and the company depresses us. But if you want to waste the time and calories not taking our word for it, be our guest.



Café Martini

11 Rue du Pas de la Mule, 75004 Paris, France

This cramped little café just off the Place des Vosges looks like nothing but a cozy little cafe, but it's our favorite place in the neighborhood for a chocolat chaud à l'ancienne -- just a modest portion… of milk and chocolate, reduced to a nice syrupy thickness, the perfect liquid courage needed to face the cold and trudge your way home on a chocolat high.



Jean-Paul Hévin

231 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

The tea salon at Jean-Paul Hévin is a deservedly popular place to take your afternoon chocolat chaud. The famous chocolate maker's hot chocolate is so famous that he even refers to it that way himself.… But we forgive him. There are chocolate pastries for a double dose, as well as light lunches.



La Charlotte de l'Isle

24 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, 75004 Paris, France

Popular with Americans since the New York Times called it "the absinthe of hot chocolate," the rich cup of chocolat chaud at this quirky and self consciously charming cafe on the American infested… Ile Saint-Louis is worth a stop. Avoid puppet show Wednesdays



Les Cakes de Bertrand
7 Rue Bourdaloue, 75009 Paris, France

This small and adorably prissy salon de thé in a converted chocolate factory near Notre-Dame-de-Lorette looks like a candy shop and has much going for it, not least of which is the lovely Chocolat… Chaud Maison. Served in porcelain pitchers and made à l'ancienne with 70% chocolat and milk, it's properly dense, not overly sweet, and will keep you going until midnight by adding a slice from one of their yummy cakes. You can order chocolate bars and a line of retro-inspired Cakes de Bertrand accessories.



L'Heure Gourmande

22 Passage Dauphine, 75006 Paris, France

Brought to your table in a pitcher and frothed up before your eyes, the chocolatey but "light" chocolat chaud à l'ancienne is worth a trip to this popular tea salon in the covered passage Dauphine in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.… If you want whipped cream, ask for the viennoise

(πηγή: gridskipper.com)