Paris-Bruxelles chocolates

Under normal circumstances I would have written a post about Saint Nicolas. But today is a not the usual December 6 festive day in our family. My husband's mother passed away, and we are saying goodbye to her today. She was an extraordinary and incredible lady, beautiful and very special. She loved all aspects of life, and Belgian chocolates were one of her many very favorite things.
Here are two window displays of Belgian Marcolini chocolates, one in rue Scribe in Paris, the other on Brussels' Sablon Square.
http://www.chocoparis.com/pierre-marcolini/

November 15

                                   photos Daniel Ritière
Photographer Daniel Ritière's facebook page lead me this morning to Belgian November 15 celebrations in Lima, Peru. Belgian embassies all over the world celebrate with goodies from home. In Lima,  Belgian chocolates are tastefully spread out over tricolor drapings. 
What exactly is this all about?
"Since 1866 the day has been marked by celebrations in honour of the Belgian monarch. 15 November is the feast of Saint Leopold in the German liturgical calendar, while it is the feast of Saint Albert in the Roman Catholic calendar.Belgium’s first two kings and the country’s fourth King were called Leopold. The third King of the Belgians was called Albert as is the current king. Both Karel Count of Flanders, who took over as Regent at the end of the German occupation in 1944, and the late King Boudewijn kept up the tradition of royal celebrations on 15 November.Initially, it was called 'Day of the Dynasty' or 'Feast of the Dynasty'. However, an official circular issued in 1953 decreed that the correct name for the festivities is 'King’s Day'.Although 15 November is a holiday for civil servants, it isn’t an official public holiday.

15 November is also the annual day of celebration for Belgium’s 70,000-strong German language community."http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/Belgian-royals-celebrate-King_s-Day_58128.html

Jeff de Bruges, chocolates of course

When traveling, I am always delighted when - without looking for anything in particular- I just happen to stumble upon what I consider a photo op for This is Belgium.  Jeff de Bruges is one example. I do not recall ever having seen Jeff's chocolates in Belgium. This shot was taken in rue Daguerre, Paris, a favorite street in the 14th Arrondissement. 


Explanation by Jeff  himself on http://www.jeff-de-bruges.com/tout-sur-jeff.html

Question : "How was Jeff de Bruges started ?"

Philippe Jambon: " With passion, as, from a very young age running around in the chocolate makers' workshops, I was able to observe the magical effect of chocolate. Since then, when creating Jeff de Bruges, I have relentlessly imagined a thousand and one ways of turning our stores into uniques places, gourmets' worlds, where fine and delicious chocolate could also be accessible and fun to bring pleasure and quality to all "

Question: "You are French and have created a Belgium chocolate brand, isn't that surprising ?"
PJ: " Even though I have French roots, I have been immersed in both French and Belgian chocolate culture;  I feel close to this country and I found it dynamic but also different to associate these two types of knowledge. "

Question: "Why did you choose the name « Jeff de Bruges » ?"
PJ: " When your name is "Jambon" (ham in English) and you want to sell chocolate, you have to be practical and realise you will not be able to give your own name to the brand. In fact, it all started in Bruges, as the first chocolate factory was installed in that town. Furthermore, choosing as a symbol the town also know as the "Northen Venice" seemed appropriate for a chocolate brand. My passion for Jacques Brel and the song entilted "Jef" did the rest and I imagined the name "Jeff de Bruges".

Easter chocolates

On holidays Brussels always lives up to its reputation as chocolate capital... you can not possibly miss it. People taking photographs of chocolates, guided chocolate tours, tourists relaxing in front of Wittamer. On the square "Sablon",  all brands are present :   Leonidas, Wittamer, Marcolini, Godiva, Neuhaus

February 14

Belgium being the home to the chocolate capital of the world, territorial integrity requires me to disclose that this pair of lovers was shot yesterday in Paris on Saint-Germain-des-Prés, not far from the Odéon.

Visitors from Malaysia

As the capital of chocolate land, Brussels harbors every brand one can come up with ... Neuhaus, Mary's, Leonidas, Corné, Marcolini, Godiva, Wittamer....

Many of the shops proudly display  pictures of their most famous visitors, be it heads of State, movie actors, artists, musicians....Watch for the pictures and story in my following postings!

Today I just want to show visitors from Malaysia in front of one of the chocolates shops near the Grand Place.