One of the best-known names in Lyon's gastronomical world is Jean-Jacques Bernachon.The Bernachon chocolates that are sold worldwide begin as raw cocoa beans in the shop in Lyon, which was started by Jean-Jacques's father. Whether you're talking with a Lyonnais about food, reading a guidebook for this city or just mention 'chocolate' in this geographic area - the Bernachon name will come up.
It deserves its reputation. And, as you might suspect, it's not located in our neighborhood but rather in the prestigious 6eme arrondissement. In the five years we've been in Lyon, we've never actually had Bernachon chocolate...until last week.My friend bought me a bar of the Bernachon Jour et Nuit, which was incredible. (Note: 'was' as in past tense. We savored it, but not particularly slowly!) The Jour et Nuit (day and night) is a rich layer of dark chocolate and a smooth layer of milk chocolate. Unbelievable.
Anyway - were it not for my dear, sweet friend, I probably would have left Lyon without tasting Bernachon chocolate.I am even more thankful for her gift because Jean-Jacques Bernachon passed away this week. The business will stay in the family and be run by the Stéphanie and Phillipe Bernachon. I'm sure the chocolates will maintain their reputation, but I am thankful to have had a bar of Jour et Nuit made under the famous Jean-Jacques Bernachon.
BERNACHON
42, cours Franklin-Roosevelt
69006 Lyon
7 comments:
Ahhh...and now your life in France is complete.
Have some more for me, will you? Sounds amazing.
Sad that he passed away, but at least the company is staying in the family.
We discovered Bernachon through one of Jozef's French colleagues, whose father is a professional chef. Another chocolatier I love is Seve. I sent my mom a milk chocolate bar with candied fruits and nuts, and she loved it - and this is someone who craves chocolate once in a decade or so :-)
Sounds delicious! You'll have to show us the chocolate when we come. I remember a friend telling me about her husband wanting to buy her some expensive chocolates (Godiva, maybe?), and for the amount of money he'd set aside, it would only buy like 3 or 4 pieces. Is there really that much difference, or should I just stick with Hershey's?
The name sounds so delicious, and the cover looks so...pretty!! I wonder what it looks like!
Mmmmm, yes, Bernachon! I liked the bar with salted caramel and also the chocolat blanc (totally different than any other white chocolate I've had). I definitely recommend taking a few bars with you when you leave, and then opening them up when you start to miss Lyon!
When you buy the chocs to take with you, don't forget to drink a choc chaud.Choose a rainy day, perhaps not during these hot afternoons.
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