Duceau Chocolatier

In the heart of Angoulême, on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, the Chocolaterie Duceau is a gourmet destination closely linked to the town’s history. The establishment traces its origins back to the 18th century and retains its period décor within the shop, which adds greatly to its charm.

Since 1994, Jean-Christophe Crosnier has been carrying on this tradition whilst developing a creative approach to chocolate. His creations combine different types of cocoa with fruit, spices, teas and even caramel, seeking a balance between flavours and textures.

History and origins

According to the company, Duceau’s history dates back to the mid-18th century, when Jules Duceau founded the chocolate shop in Angoulême that still bears his name. The historic shop retains its Louis XVI-style wood panelling as well as early 20th-century paintings, providing a truly heritage-rich setting for this gourmet establishment.

In 1994, Jean-Christophe Crosnier and his wife took over the business. Trained as a pastry chef and chocolatier, he chose to devote his expertise to chocolate and gradually developed a range of original creations.

The Craft

At Duceau, chocolate remains at the heart of the creative process. Jean-Christophe Crosnier works in particular with cocoa beans sourced from various producing regions, including Venezuela, the Caribbean, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar and Indonesia.

The company seeks balance rather than simply piling on flavours: fruits, spices and teas complement the chocolate without seeking to mask it. The range thus combines timeless classics with regularly updated creations.

Products

The shop offers, in particular:

• Chocolate bonbons: ganaches, pralines and other creations to be enjoyed individually or as an assortment.
• Boxes: assortments of dark and milk chocolates, perfect for discovering several of the company’s creations.
• La Marguerite d’Angoulême: a creation that has become emblematic of both the chocolate shop and the city.
• La Charentaise: another speciality from the chocolate shop.
• Bars and crunchies: indulgent treats to enjoy yourself or give as a gift.
• Seasonal creations and selections: the range changes with the seasons.

The signature product

The Marguerite d’Angoulême deserves special attention. This chocolate creation, inspired by Marguerite de Valois, has become one of the company’s signature gourmet treats and is an integral part of Angoulême’s culinary identity.

It is a particularly interesting speciality to discover if you wish to bring back a chocolate from Angoulême that embodies a genuine local character.

The visitor’s experience

The experience begins in the historic shop on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, where the wood panelling and period décor lend the tasting session a sense of heritage.

On certain occasions, the company also offers a tour of its workshop with Jean-Christophe Crosnier. This experience provides a more hands-on insight into the chocolatier’s world and the secrets of the trade.

Where can you find the products?

Duceau chocolates are available in the historic shop: 18 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 16000 Angoulême

The company also has an online shop where you can place an order and collect it directly from the shop.

Key points

Duceau represents a fusion of chocolate and Angoulême’s heritage. Founded in the 18th century and taken over in 1994 by Jean-Christophe Crosnier, the company today combines a long local history with contemporary chocolate creations.

For a first taste, La Marguerite d’Angoulême is a particularly interesting choice: a gourmet speciality that allows you to take home a little piece of Angoulême’s history.