Take refuge in Frederic’s shop, where you can revive flagging legs with a cup of rich hot chocolate. No instant stuff this; but basically just melted chocolate, including the speciality Fredericisime, with no sugar and just a little honey, that you might not like but will knock your socks off. Along with the large and imaginative chocolate selection there are hot chocolate spoons, chocolate spreads, and ice creams. I must try the “Belgian sunshine” - I like a chocolatier with a sense of humour!

www.frederic-blondeel.com/en/presentation/
Quai aux Briques/Baksteenkaai 24, 1000 Brussels
+32 2 502 21 31
Google map: bit.ly/x8SWpl

* Bec is our Been there local for Brussels. You can view her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/brussels-local-rebecca.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/Becinbrussels

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Founded in 1919 in Brussels, since 1942 Mary has been the chocolate supplier to the Belgian royal family. There are only three shops in the country, and the brand has
shunned expansion and stuck to its retro-style packing, discreet service and pralines named after Princesses past and present. This is about class, but there is nothing to be concerned about on price! Chocolates are still made by hand by around ten employees in a former armaments factory.
A browse through the brochure reveals that chocolates should be kept between 15 and 18 degrees, avoiding rapid changes in temperature. “In truth, however, our chocolates seem to disappear rather quickly.” You bet they do.

www.marychoc.com/
Rue Royal/Konigsstraat 73, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
+32 2 217 45 00
Google map: bit.ly/zyRZ1L

* Bec is our Been there local for Brussels. You can view her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/brussels-local-rebecca.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/Becinbrussels

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The Museum of Chocolate on the Grand Place is well worth a visit, complete with free samples!

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The little chocolate shops around the Grand Place are divine. The shop owners will let you sample some of the chocolates, too - so you can end up doing a chocolate crawl for free!

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Venture to Godiva in Brussels for sublime chocolate.

www.godiva.be/index.asp

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Go to the Chocolate shop Planete Chocolat in Brussels where you will truly be in chocolate heaven.

There is a demonstration of how chocolate is made every Saturday afternoon. The smell hits you when you are in the shop and makes your heart race and takes you back to being a kid.

I always feel like Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate factory when I enter the shop. So much choice and so much colour.

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Chocolate, of course. Head to Pierre Marcolini, the finest chocolate maker, at Avenue Louise, 75M or at Place du Grand Sablon, 39. Prices range from €8.50 for a sachet of chocolates to €64 for a Sac Intense - a tiered box of chocolates.

www.marcolini.com/

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