La Marquise de Sévigné

La Marquise de Sévigné is a French chocolate brand with a heritage dating back to the late 19th century. The story begins in 1892, when a young couple from Royat in Auvergne, Monsieur and Madame Rouzaud, purchased a small local chocolate factory called 'Chocolaterie de Royat'. Their ambition was to produce high-quality chocolate and build a French industry of excellence. After initial struggles, the brand 'Marquise de Sévigné' was officially born in 1898, when Madame Rouzaud opened a summer shop in Vichy. Inspired by a performance of Cyrano de Bergerac and the Pavillon Sévigné where Edmond Rostand was staying, she chose the name as a tribute to the literary figure Madame de Sévigné. The brand quickly gained popularity in major French cities and resort towns in the early 1900s, becoming a symbol of luxury and French art de vivre. Over the decades, the company expanded its boutiques, including prestigious locations on Boulevard de la Madeleine and Place Victor-Hugo in Paris, and began exporting its products. In 1952, after the death of Clémentine Rouzaud, her grandson Claude-Auguste Rouzaud took over and modernized production. Following a failed acquisition attempt by a large retail group in 1970, the company was acquired in 1973 by the Burrus family, who led the SALPA agri-food group. Under SALPA, the brand continued to thrive, opening a new boutique on Place de la Madeleine and collaborating with fashion designers such as Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, André Courrèges, and Anne Rosat. SALPA also opened a chocolate museum in Strasbourg within its factory. Today, La Marquise de Sévigné remains a brand of the SALPA holding company, specializing in the creation and marketing of luxury chocolates. The brand offers a range of artisanal chocolates, gift boxes, and historical confections, all made in France according to family know-how. Its products are available through its official website and a boutique located at 16 rue Tronchet in Paris's 8th arrondissement. The brand emphasizes its French heritage, artisanal production, and the legacy of the Marquise de Sévigné, whose letters and spirit continue to inspire its identity.

The history of La Marquise de Sévigné begins in 1892, when a young couple from Royat in Auvergne, Monsieur and Madame Rouzaud, purchased a small local chocolate factory called 'Chocolaterie de Royat'. They aimed to produce high-quality chocolate and establish a French industry of excellence. Despite early difficulties in selling their products, Monsieur Rouzaud innovated by creating a beautifully designed catalogue distributed to grocers in the region. However, competing with established brands remained challenging. The brand 'Marquise de Sévigné' was officially born in 1898. That year, Madame Rouzaud opened a summer shop in Vichy during her cure. At a theatre performance of Cyrano de Bergerac, she wanted to express her admiration to Edmond Rostand, who was staying at the Pavillon Sévigné. She remarked, 'Voilà un nom qui ferait bien sur les bonbons' ('There's a name that would look good on sweets'). This fusion of literature and confectionery gave rise to a brand, a style, and great success. Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, became the inspiration and muse for a couple of chocolatiers and a brand of excellence. In the early 1900s, the brand established itself in major urban centers, becoming fashionable, as well as in resort areas favored by a select clientele. Word of mouth spread, and demand grew. From 1900 to 1914, the company gained recognition in France through numerous stores, including those on Boulevard de la Madeleine and Place Victor-Hugo in Paris. It also began exporting its production. In 1952, after the death of Clémentine Rouzaud, her grandson Claude-Auguste Rouzaud took over the succession, improving production in the factories. After a failed acquisition by a large retail group in 1970, the company was acquired in 1973 by the Burrus family, who led the SALPA agri-food group. SALPA then controlled the entire chocolate production chain, from cocoa beans to creation and distribution. They opened a new boutique on Place de la Madeleine in Paris and collaborated with fashion designers such as Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, André Courrèges, and Anne Rosat. SALPA also opened a chocolate museum in Strasbourg within its manufacturing factory. Today, La Marquise de Sévigné is the commercial brand of the holding company Société alsacienne de participations agroalimentaires (SALPA), an industrial agri-food company specializing in the creation and marketing of chocolates. The brand continues to offer artisanal chocolates made in France according to family know-how, available online and at its boutique at 16 rue Tronchet, Paris 8th.

• 1973

  The company is acquired by the Burrus family, head of the SALPA agri-food group, which then controls the entire chocolate production chain.

• 1970

  A takeover attempt by a large retail group fails.

• 1952

  After the death of Clémentine Rouzaud, her grandson Claude-Auguste Rouzaud takes over and modernizes production.

• 1900

  The brand name is definitively adopted after Clémentine Rouzaud sends an assortment to Edmond Rostand.

• 1900

  From 1900 to 1914, the company opens numerous stores in France, including Boulevard de la Madeleine and Place Victor-Hugo in Paris, and begins exporting.

• 1898

  Brand 'Marquise de Sévigné' is born when Madame Rouzaud opens a summer shop in Vichy and names it after the Pavillon Sévigné.

• 1892

  Monsieur and Madame Rouzaud purchase 'Chocolaterie de Royat' in Royat, Auvergne.

• SALPA opens a new boutique on Place de la Madeleine in Paris and collaborates with fashion designers Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, André Courrèges, and Anne Rosat.

• SALPA opens a chocolate museum in Strasbourg within its manufacturing factory.

Luxury artisanal French chocolatier with a heritage dating back to 1898, emphasizing French art de vivre and family savoir-faire.

• Boîte de chocolats fourrés Tour Eiffel

  Assortment of French chocolates, priced at €29.90.

• Coffret cadeau Chocolats fourrés

  Gift box available in 5 formats starting from €18.90.

• Oursons guimauve chocolat au lait

  Marshmallow and French chocolate, priced at €28.90.

1. 1Marquise de Sévigné | Chocolatier à Paris depuis 1898marquise-de-sevigne.com
2. 2La Maison Marquise de Sévigné - Marquise de Sévignémarquise-de-sevigne.com
3. 3La Marquise de Sévigné - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4La Marquise de Sévigné - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org