More About Christmas Chocolates ans Sweets

Our Christmas Chocolates and Sweets collection brings the French festive season to the UK: Révillon papillotes, calissons from Aix-en-Provence, Lindt Champs-Élysées and Les Pyrénéens, Lanvin L'Escargot, Côte d'Or Mignonnettes and Mini Rocs, Rochers Suchard, Nestlé L'Atelier Christmas bites and advent calendars. Epicerie Corner delivers these Christmas treats nationwide.

Chocolate and Sweets at a French Christmas

In France, the weeks before Christmas fill the shops with chocolate boxes, and every region has its sweet traditions. In Lyon and much of France, no Christmas table is complete without papillotes: chocolates wrapped in shiny paper with a fringed twist at each end, each hiding a joke or a riddle, sometimes with a small cracker (pétard) that snaps when you pull it. In Provence, Christmas Eve ends with the thirteen desserts (les treize desserts), a spread of dried fruits, nuts, nougat, fruit pastes and the almond-shaped calisson from Aix-en-Provence. Across the country, boxes of chocolates are shared after the réveillon dinner, given to hosts and teachers, and left out for visitors through the holidays.

Christmas Treats in Our Range

Papillotes and Calissons

Papillotes Révillon Pétard, with white and milk chocolate, bring the classic French Christmas surprise. Calissons from Aix-en-Provence and Le Roy René Petits Calissons in a Christmas pack are soft almond and candied melon sweets topped with royal icing.

Lindt Christmas Boxes

Lindt Champs-Élysées assortments in classic, dark, Gold and Triomphe editions; Les Pyrénéens in milk, dark and assortment boxes; Lindt Création Petit Dessert and Petits Éclairs, inspired by French pastry; and the Lindor Christmas Edition.

Lanvin, Côte d'Or and Suchard

The Lanvin L'Escargot dark chocolate box, created in Burgundy, Côte d'Or Mignonnettes in milk, Noir de Noir and dark orange, Côte d'Or Mini Rocs in milk, dark and praline, and Rochers Suchard in milk and dark.

Assortments and Advent

Nestlé Les Recettes de l'Atelier Christmas bites in a mixed assortment and milk hazelnut, the Villars 7 Recettes milk and dark assortment from Switzerland, and the Kinder Snow advent calendar for children.

How to Choose Christmas Chocolates

• For a French tradition: papillotes or calissons.
• For the whole family: a large Champs-Élysées box or Villars assortment.
• For a host or teacher: Les Pyrénéens, Lanvin L'Escargot or Lindor.
• With coffee after dinner: Côte d'Or Mignonnettes.
• For children: the Kinder advent calendar, Mini Rocs or papillotes.
• Allergens: chocolates contain milk and often nuts and soya; calissons are made with almonds. Check each product page.

Building a French-Style Christmas Sweet Table

Set out a bowl of papillotes so guests can read their jokes aloud, a plate of calissons with dried figs, dates and nuts for a Provençal touch, and an open box of chocolates with coffee. Clementines and a bûche de Noël, the Yule log cake, complete the scene. Keep chocolates in a cool place, not near the radiator or the fireplace, and bring them out just before serving so they keep their shine and snap. For more festive ideas, browse Chocolate Boxes and Advent.

Christmas Chocolate FAQs

What are papillotes?

Papillotes are chocolates wrapped in shiny paper twisted at both ends, with a joke, riddle or message printed inside the wrapper. They are a Christmas tradition linked to Lyon, and some versions include a small cracker that snaps when the wrapper is pulled.

What is a calisson?

A calisson is a sweet from Aix-en-Provence made from a paste of ground almonds and candied melon, shaped like a small almond or boat, set on a thin wafer and topped with white royal icing. It is one of the thirteen desserts of a Provençal Christmas.

What are the thirteen desserts of Provence?

On Christmas Eve, Provençal families traditionally serve thirteen desserts, symbolising Christ and the twelve apostles. They usually include dried fruits and nuts, white and black nougat, fresh and candied fruit, fruit pastes, calissons and a sweet olive-oil bread called pompe à l'huile.

Do papillotes contain alcohol?

Classic papillotes are filled with chocolate, praline or ganache, and recipes vary between assortments; some festive chocolates in France can contain liqueur. Check the ingredient list on each product page if you are avoiding alcohol or serving children.

When should I order Christmas chocolates?

Christmas products are seasonal and stock can be limited, so it is wise to order early in December. Store them in a cool, dry place until the big day.