Instant Self-Love Indulgences: Turning an Ordinary Parisian Night into a Refined Gourmet Home Retreat

I work a lot from home, and I truly enjoy staying in when I don’t have to chase experiences. This is part of my Paris life. After years of investing in short-term rentals just to catch a glimpse of local life as a tourist, I’ve come to cherish even more the joie de vivre of being at my own Parisian home.

Of course, there are moments when I feel a little dull, yet too lazy to go out. Those are the moments I prepare instant self-love treats that lift my mood, make me feel good at home, and guarantee a restful night’s sleep.

Quality products are the foundation of high satisfaction, but small personal curations transform ordinary life into an instant at-home retreat.

Recently, I had a craving and went to pick up some ice cream from Chocolat Alain Ducasse—luckily, they opened an outlet last year in my neighborhood. I ended up getting a few more items than I had planned, and I was delighted.

This is not a sponsored post; I’ve loved Alain Ducasse dark chocolate bars since 2017, while preparing my thesis for the Hautes Études du Goût diploma at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.

From 2016, snapshots of my HEG program days, including chocolate analysis in Reims. Honored to be part of the testimonial for this HEG program at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.

Whether savored alone or together, these three indulgences create an instant quiet luxury retreat at home:

1) Dried Fruits Dark Chocolate bar× Aged Bas-Armagnac

The richness of Alain Ducasse 75% dark chocolate, layered with dried orange, figs, raisins, and almonds, beautifully complements the complexity of aged Laberdolive Bas-Armagnac, revealing aromas of ripe fruits, warm spices, and nuanced old-oak tannins. Two exceptional maisons coming together create a pairing that simply belongs.

Chocolat Alain Ducasse is my top choice for dark chocolate bars for its lingering finish unmatched. The secret lies in the blend of cacao from three origins, giving it remarkable complexity while leaving no trace of sweetness from sugar. Nowadays, my personal criterion for dark chocolate is simple: if I can distinctly taste sugar, it’s out. I’ve successfully converted a few of my Hong Kong friends with discerning tastes into fans of this chocolate. For those who haven’t tried it yet, give it a try and let me know what you think!

Laberdolive is ideally tasted in a glass that is generous and rounded at the bowl, with a gentle narrowing at the rim to allow the Armagnac to breathe, letting its aromas unfold while its texture softens on the palate, far more gracefully than the shot glass in the photo above. In the picture, we used our Saint-Louis crystal glass for old Bordeaux wines, which as well suited the aged Armagnac .

Laberdolive is a highly regarded producer within the select circle of spirit connoisseurs, located in the Landes in the Bas-Armagnac appellation. The family has been crafting Armagnac since 1893. Years ago, my beau-père received some 1976 vintage directly from the family estate, Domaine de Jaurrey, and we are lucky to now have access to these golden drops. “Laberdolive” refers to the producer and family name, while “Domaine de Jaurrey” is the estate where the spirit is crafted.

Rosewood Hong Kong Darkside Jazz Bar has an excellent collection of vintage Laberdolive and a chocolate table, yet still nothing like Alain Ducasse chocolate at home.

2) Peru Dark Chocolate Ice Cream × Green Passion Fruit

This combination offers a sensible, complementary contrast. Alain Ducasse’s chocolate ice cream is intense yet not overly milky or creamy, with a slightly icy texture that adds a refreshing balance to its rich flavor.

Pouring over fresh green passion fruit (regular passion fruit works too but the green ones were extra aromatic) from the marché and savoring each bite turns the experience into a truly indulgent treat and makes it entirely worth the calories.

Made from organic Normandie milk, the ice cream is topped with ganache and crunchy cacao nibs, adding a delightful textural contrast. It might be a little pricier than supermarket options, but after all, they are in a different league. Compared to ordering a mediocre dessert at a bustling Parisian café, it is still excellent value. At my age of slower metabolism, I pay careful attention to what I put in my tummy.

3) Evening Mocha Gourmand: Dark Chocolate × Decaffeinated Coffee 

Sometimes I drop a small piece of my favorite dried fruit dark chocolate into an empty glass and pour in decaf coffee. I usually just use an Alain Ducasse decaf capsule in the Nespresso machine, an easy little treat that won’t disturb my sleep.

The result is a gentle, indulgent dessert mocha without any sugary heaviness, offering subtle nuances that perfectly wrap up my evening. Stirring the chocolate, inhaling the warm aromas of the dried fruits, especially the orange zest, and savoring the first sips brings a calm to my soul.

With a few thoughtful curations and quality products, these little indulgences create a restorative gourmet retreat without the hassle of going out or navigating crowds. Staying home in Paris becomes a new kind of self-love indulgence and doesn’t have to be boring. Paris is far from lacking in gourmet treasures, and enjoying them at home is very much part of the local culture. The joy is in experimenting, trying new things, and savoring the process. Next time you travel to Paris, consider bringing these experiences to your own hotel or homestay.

---

If you’d like tips and guides on gourmet shopping for your next Paris homestay experience, feel free to contact us and subscribe to our newsletter to receive a PDF gourmet shopping guide. Please specify in your message the type of food categories you are most interested in.