I was invited to a chocolate themed dinner party at a local château a few weeks back. There I met the owner of the oldest and most renowned chocolate company in Bordeaux: Cadiot Badie. His name is Willy; I mean Serge :0) I had blogged about his incredible store a few weeks back. After reading the post, he invited me to the actual chocolate factory last week to take some photos of his Umpa Lumpas at work…
I find so incredibly reassuring and uplifting, the fact that some people are still trying to keep traditions like these alive. They work with the very best ingredients they can find to produce something that ultimately brings people so much joy (and extra pounds). Serge runs around his little world like a kid in a candy store (no pun intended) and I truly admire his passion.
The day I was there, they were making simple ganache, rhum cherries dipped in dark chocolate (we call them Guinettes) as well as chestnut chocolate bouchées. All the Umpa Lumpas looked very happy and calm. I’m sure they get to eat quite a lot of the stuff behind Willy’s back…
Anyway, here are some pictures. We’ll go visit them next time you come visit ;0)
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
This looks beautiful! How can you work in a place like that? I mean i would just eat all the chocolate 🙂
It’s quite easy though. I used to work in a pastry shop and after a while, anything sweet just feels discusting… It must be the smell…
These photos are gorgeous!
Thanks Emma! 😊
So wonderful! This makes me wish that I worked at a chocolate factory 🙂 Just imagine being able to create something so delicious and beautiful for others to enjoy
It’s actually quite easy when you know the basic rules of chocolate making. You can make fantastic truffles at home for exemple… Have You ever watched a movie called “chocolat”? If you haven’t, get it today! You’ll love it I promise!
C’est magnifique!
Gorgeous photos!
Thank you! They make one hungry, don’t they? Oh and the smell Mimi, the smell… I just gained 3 pounds in one photoshoot 😜
Love the pictures! Lucky you, being surrounded by so much chocolate!!!
I know Colleen, right?! The thing is, I can go months without chocolate, but when I have cravings, NOTHING can stop me 😉
Oh my! I’m salivating just looking at the pictures!
That’s the effect chocolate has on most of us 😉
Trop bien… Trop beau !!!! Biz
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A mouthwatering post Stéphane!
Thanks Jane. Glad you liked it. They gave me loads of free chocolates too. I’m afraid it’s all gone now… 😉
Disgraceful ! 😉
My mouth is watering & I now have a craving for Cho late covered cherries & it’s 6 h30! ….What beautiful photos! Looked like a wonderful visit. Sorry to have missed that!
Next time maybe. Have you visited their store Allées de Tourney? You should take your tours there…
Sorry, forgot to ask….do you happen to know where in the US one can find those special chocolate sprinkles that you’ve shown? I’ve looked on-line, but not found a source yet. Thank you!
You know, I don’t know where you would. They make these themselves with a special machine… Sorry. Maybe ask a chef in one of your local pastry shops…
Truly a French heaven indeed. Divine!
Thanks Tanya!
Ahh hahahaha! I though your lead-in photo was a caterpillar! Wonder photo series!
In the thumbnail I got, that is, on WordPress. 🙂
Now that I look at it… 🙂
How beautiful. Lucky you!
😉
When we return someday, promise to take us there.
Miss you
I will Patty. Their shop in town could easily be featured in a Disney movie, I swear…
The workers look so happy, it must be the chocolate fumes!! The cherries looks incredible and my morning coffee would be all the better with a beautiful truffle. Beautiful photos as always Stephane
Yum! Truffles are some of my favorites too Sandra 😉
So exciting and all that delicious chocolate. What fun.
😉
Impressive! 😍😍😍
What a fabulous opportunity!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
To you too dear Judie!!!
What a fabulous time. I would love to be able to create chocolate like this. Heaven. 🙂
Me too!!
Oooh, I really like the effect the chopped chocolate has on the cherries after they dry……will have to use that technique whenever I do chocolate covered whatever. Thanks!!
I agree! And I love the texture it gives it too 😜
Perfection!
😊😉
Heaven. All I want now is take a dark chocolate bath. And I hope Serge is not as scary as Willy Wonka.
Serge is much nicer I promise 😉
That´s so good to hear 😉
What an exciting visit. And all that chocolate!! 😄
There was so much of it, one could have bathed in it… 😜
This is what heaven looks like 🙂
I think so too 😜
Well, your photos are so amazing that one feels like in heaven while watching any of them 🙂 Thank you for giving us this opportunity 🙂
You are most welcomed my friend 😉