I was strolling down on main street, the Meir in Antwerp when I spotted this billboard.
The day before yesterday a famous chocolatier from Bruges has opened the doors to his brand new shop in what is probably one of the prettiest locations in Antwerp, the Royal Palace at the Meir. The palace was built in the mid 1700’s and was bought by Napoleon in 1811 who had it decorated in French Empire style. During the first World War it was the home of King Albert I. The palace and it’s furniture was donated to the Flemish people by King Boudewijn. The palace has been restored to it’s former grandeur and is going to open to the public the first weekend of May.
I had a brief conversation with Dominique Persoone, the man behind this amazing chocolate shop. He told me it’s a unique feeling to make chocolate in Napoleon’s kitchen! Opening the shop is one year overdue, so as you can imagine he is probably THE most tired yet happiest man on the face of the earth.
So here’s a scoop for you ladies and gentlemen, allow me to open the doors to chocolate Heaven!
The minute I walked in, the delicate scent of chocolate teased my nostrils.
Follow me …
The place is so pretty it made me gasp.
Well, … I told you it was Heaven, didn’t I?!
And this is "Napoleon's" kitchen …
Can you smell the chocolate?
17 comments:
A most wondrous place! How could they fail to make the most magic chocolate?
Not only can I smell it...I can taste it! Oh it is heaven. I love the way the counter front looks like pieces of chocolate.
Wow, that looks amazing - I'm not sure which looks better, the store or the chocolate!
You should contact the Smithsonian Magazine in Washington, D.C. and ask them if they would be interested in doing a story using your photographs of the building and the new chocolate shop. This is the kind of thing Americans would go ape over! As usual, your pictures are lovely. I never get tired of seeing the world through your eyes.
Wow, I don't know what is more exciting, the chocolate or the fact that it is in Napoleon's building..... beautiful!!!! I agree, you need to have these photos published!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Holy cow! I would love to literally follow you! The place is gorgeous! ANd I'm a sucker for any chocolate - I bet this is the best!!!
Wow,Wow, Wow! I want to go, I want to go! This is on my places to see in Belgium list. You really captured the place well. I can smell the chocolate. :)
Now I have a new place to go on my 'bucket list'. What an amazing place - and such lovely photographs!! I hope you have approached the owner with hte notion of selling him your work for his adverts.
this is incredible! What a delicious place to visit. I hope you gave him your blog address so he can see what an incredible job you did posting about his heaven! And...to boot....a free advertisement! I hope he gave you a box of his finest chocolates! You should revisit and become BFF!
Yes indeed - it is chocolate heaven and the place is so very pretty.
I have heard of Belgian chocolates, but my goodness... seeing is believing. Now I have no choice but to start planning a trip to Belgium. That place is amazing!
The portrait that you took of the chocolatier is perfect! I agree with some of the other commenters that you should definitely be published.
I just showed this post to my girls. They are oohing and ahhing and drooling over the photos. It's like being in Willie Wonka's factory.
I agree with Linda, you should become very good friends with Dominique Persoone.
wow! smell the chocolate? I can practically TASTE it!
It all looks so beautiful and the building is just amazing..
BG
Oh my goodness, you've got my mouth watering with your pictures. What a beautiful place to have a fine quality chocolate shop.
Pure decadence!
Oh my ... I think I need to come over and see you so you can take me there!
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