Two independent chocolatiers to visit in Liège (and not just for Valentines!)

It's Valentines day, and whether you are in a couple or not, we feel today is an excellent excuse to enjoy chocolate!

While the larger Belgian chocolate companies, (such as Neuhaus, Galler, Godiva, Leonidas, Marcolini,) are present in Liège, we'd like to take the time to bring to your attention two exceptional independant chocolatiers in the city.

For those with more traditional tastes, we highly recommend you visit Franz.  A family owned business, situated downtown at 24 rue St. Gilles (a few steps from the crossroads of the "Pont D'avroy") We think of Franz as the one to go to for an authentic taste of the Belgian classic style.  Produced in small batches by hand, the chocolates are given the attention they merit, and this comes through in the taste!  One item not to miss in your selection: the Manon.

image source: passagelemonnier.be

Those with more cosmopolitan or avant-garde tastes should make their way to the très chic Benoit Nihant, located in the Passage Lemmonier.  Here, exotic flavours involving spice, tea, herbs and flower infusions can be found, and are expertly handled.  Mr. Nihant has recently expanded into making chocolate directly from the bean, and is one of the few chocolatiers in Belgium who does so.  We've tasted the bars resulting from this effort, and were impressed!

So there you have it, short and sweet: If you're looking to find a taste of Belgian chocolate in Liège, these are two locals who love what they do, and that love shows through in the fine quality of their products.  It's certainly why we've fallen for them.