A storied Parisian chocolate house has set up shop in Back Bay, marking the first time La Maison du Chocolat has opened a U.S. boutique outside New York City in the 36 years since it first arrived in Manhattan. The new boutique sits at 776 Boylston Street, next to the Mandarin Oriental, Boston, and it pairs imported French ganaches, macarons and cakes with locally sourced croissants and caffeinated beverages.
The Boston opening was reported by MassLive, which noted the boutique now gives La Maison du Chocolat seven locations across the United States. According to the outlet, the shop sells chocolate drinks, caffeinated beverages and gift boxes alongside its core lineup of chocolates and pastries. The brand made its original American debut on Madison Avenue in New York in 1990, according to a PR Newswire release marking that flagship's 25th anniversary; Boston is its first U.S. location outside New York.
A Back Bay Address Built for Luxury
The Boylston Street location was no accident of geography. Per a LoopNet listing, the address is identified as Mandarin Oriental, Boston and lists hotel-style amenities. The Boston store is managed by boutique manager Erxy Rosario, according to the company's own store listing. The shop's arrival also puts it near Copley Place, just down the street.
Paris-Made Chocolates, Local Coffee
Despite the local croissant pairings, the core sweets sold in Boston include chocolates, ganaches and macarons. The brand's chocolate work is associated with Chef Chocolatier Nicolas Cloiseau, who joined the company in 1996 and has applied his inventiveness to its creations since 2012, per the company's own history.
The brand's founding story traces back to 1977, when Linxe opened the first La Maison du Chocolat shop in Paris and earned the nickname the ganache wizard, MassLive reported. Linxe is credited with focusing on dark chocolate and crafting complex ganaches, a shift documented by Manhattan Sideways. Two of the house's signature creations, the Salvador and the mint ganache, have each received a gold medal from the Academy of Chocolate, according to MassLive's reporting citing Taste Atlas.
Corporate Backing and a Global Footprint
The Boston debut adds to La Maison du Chocolat's international footprint. The company operates in markets including France, the United States, Japan and Hong Kong, per MassLive's report.
Boston shoppers won't have to wait long for a second, faster option. La Maison du Chocolat plans to open a kiosk at nearby Copley Place that will serve as a quicker alternative for grabbing the brand's signature sweets, MassLive reported, though an exact opening date for that kiosk has not been announced.
Hours and What's Nearby
The Boylston Street boutique is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, according to MassLive. The opening also fits into a wider refresh of Boylston Street's food and retail scene this year, with Daily Provisions' planned Back Bay cafe at 501 Boylston Street scheduled to debut in fall 2026. The 2015 PR Newswire release identified the brand's New York flagship.
