Jacques Genin
Jacques Genin is a privately held Parisian artisanal chocolate maker selling handcrafted ganaches, pralinés, caramels, pâtes de fruits, and tablets direct-to-consumers via its Marais boutique, e-commerce site, and international DHL shipping, serving gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Jacques Genin does
Jacques Genin, legally operating as Villa Paolina SARL, is a Parisian artisanal chocolate maker founded by Jacques Genin, who is described in source material as a self-taught fondeur en chocolat and one of the world's best in the craft. The company's core offering is a handcrafted portfolio of ganaches, pralinés, caramels, nougats, pâtes de fruits, chocolate tablets (tablettes), and seasonal specialties such as marrons glacés, all produced entirely by hand in a single workshop (Le Labo) at 133 rue de Turenne in the Marais district. Production uses only three mechanical coating machines; everything else is manual, with sugar reduced to the strict minimum and no additives, preservatives, aromas, or flavor enhancers. The signature input is a proprietary 71% minimum cocoa Madagascar dark chocolate couverture co-developed with Valrhona over six years.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer model through its own e-commerce site (jacquesgenin.fr), its flagship boutique in the Marais, same-day courier service in Greater Paris, Chronofresh for metropolitan France, and DHL international shipping to 15+ countries across Europe, the UK, USA, Switzerland, and Asia. Pricing is premium and unit-based: gift écrins range from €14 (9 pieces) to €140 (144 pieces); caramels, nougats, and Mosaïque assortments are priced between €35 and €80 per box; tablets retail at €9-€16; specialty items such as marrons glacés and barres gourmandes reach €135. The primary customers are individual gourmet chocolate consumers and gift buyers seeking luxury, additive-free products. The company is privately held, founder-owned with no external institutional investors, and is transitioning into a second generation with Jacques Genin's daughter Jade joining from a legal career to lead confectionery and product development.
Operationally, the company is deliberately small and capacity-constrained: management publicly commits to 'reasonable volumes' and rejects scaling that would compromise individual quality consciousness. Brand narrative is reinforced by a long-running literary partnership with author Ingrid Astier, who writes all website copy, names the chocolates, and hosts cultural events at the boutique. There is no evidence of AI/ML technology, no external funding, no B2B or wholesale channel, and no public revenue disclosure; the unit economics rest on high gross margins per gram, gift-driven DTC demand, and the founder's reputation.
Jacques Genin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Jacques Genin
- Legal name
- Villa Paolina, société à responsabilité limitée
- Website
- https://jacquesgenin.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Jacques Genin is a privately held Parisian artisanal chocolate maker selling handcrafted ganaches, pralinés, caramels, pâtes de fruits, and tablets direct-to-consumers via its Marais boutique, e-commerce site, and international DHL shipping, serving gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Jacques Genin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisanal Chocolate
- NAICS
- Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing (31135), Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate (311352)
- SIC
- Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Chocolate & Confectionery Shops (THAFAGAD), Chocolate & Confectionery Patisseries (Bonbons, Truffles, Macarons) (THAFAFAL)
Keywords
Where Jacques Genin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Jacques Genin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: Revenue generated through direct sales of artisanal chocolates, confections, and chocolate tablets through both online e-commerce platform and physical retail boutiques in Paris. Products include ganaches, pralinés, caramels, nougats, fruit pastes, chocolate bars, and tablets sold in various sizes and configurations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ganaches & Pralinés gift boxes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Caramels |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Nougats |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pâtes de fruits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mosaïque assorted chocolates |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chocolate tablets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty items |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels2 records
Jacques Genin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Jacques Genin is a Parisian artisanal chocolate maker that handcrafts premium chocolates, ganaches, pralinés, caramels, nougats, pâtes de fruits, and chocolate tablets entirely by hand in its Marais workshop. Products are sold directly to consumers and gift buyers through a company-owned boutique in Paris, an e-commerce site (jacquesgenin.fr), and international shipping.
Product overview
Jacques Genin is a Parisian artisanal chocolate maker offering a unified portfolio of handcrafted chocolate products and confectionery. The core offerings include Ganaches & Pralinés (luxury chocolate boxes in various sizes), Caramels (butter and fruit caramels), Nougats (chestnut honey-based), Pâtes de Fruits (fruit pastilles), Tablettes (chocolate bars with premium ingredients), Mosaïque (assorted chocolate sampler boxes), Barres Gourmandes (praliné bars), Écrin Rochers (hazelnut praliné squares), Écrin Pralinés (praliné assortment), Barres Fines (refined chocolate bars), and Marrons Glacés (glazed chestnuts). All products are handmade in their Paris workshop using natural ingredients without additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors, emphasizing freshness and artisanal quality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Écrin Ganaches & Pralinés
- Caramels Collection of artisanal butter caramels and fruit caramels in 300g and 570g boxes. Butter caramels include nature, vanilla, chocolate, chestnut honey, ginger, coffee, pistachio, almond, hazelnut, macadamia, and Périgord walnut varieties. Fruit caramels include mango-passion and raspberry. Sold to gourmet consumers seeking premium confectionery.
- Nougats Traditional nougat made with chestnut honey, roasted Marcona almonds, and Bronte pistachios, wrapped in immaculate white nougat. Available in 230g and 430g boxes. Sold to gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
- Pâtes de Fruits Artisanal fruit pastilles in 12, 48, or 104 pieces. Made with pure fruit and no artificial flavors, gelatin, or preservatives. Available flavors include rhubarb, mango-passion, blood orange, lychee, pear, pineapple, kiwi, and more. Sold to gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
- Tablettes (Chocolate Tablets) Premium chocolate tablets including Noir Souverain (71% Madagascar dark chocolate from the proprietary Valrhona couverture), Pistachio (with caramelized Bronte pistachios), Lait Majeur (33% milk chocolate), Amanda (with caramelized Marcona almonds), Praliesse Pistache (praliné with caramelized pistachios), and Pralinissime (hazelnut praliné with feuilletine). Sold individually to gourmet consumers.
- Mosaïque Assorted chocolate sampler box including ganaches, pralinés, rochers, mendiants, orangettes, candied ginger, and grignotines, combined with the house's fruit pastilles, caramels, and nougats. Available in 250g and 500g boxes. Sold to gourmet consumers and premium gift buyers.
- Barres Gourmandes 16-piece assortment of chocolate bars featuring praliné cores including peanut-caramel with fleur de sel, Bronte pistachio-raspberry caramel, pecan-praline with pain d'épices, and Périgord walnut praliné, coated in dark (64%) or milk (33%) chocolate. Sold to gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
- Écrin Rochers 36 or 72 pieces of hazelnut praliné squares covered with caramelized almond flakes. Half are coated in dark chocolate (64% cocoa minimum) and half in milk chocolate (33% minimum). Sold to gourmet consumers and premium gift buyers.
- Écrin Pralinés Assortment of 36 pralinés (260g) presented in an elegant silver box. Flavors include almond, hazelnut-feuilletine, rosemary-fleur de sel, citron vert, and jasmine. 100% milk chocolate coating (33% cocoa minimum). Sold to gourmet consumers and premium gift buyers.
- Barres Fines 12 pieces of refined chocolate bars featuring dark chocolate (64% cocoa) with hazelnut praliné and coffee, alongside praliné bars with Pantelleria capers. Available in-store only. Sold to gourmet consumers.
- Marrons Glacés Turin chestnuts presented in a silver box, frosted with sugar and finished with vanilla notes. Available in 16 or 32 pieces. Available in-store only. Sold to gourmet consumers and premium gift buyers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Six years of development with Valrhona to create proprietary Madagascar dark chocolate couverture (71% cocoa minimum) with unique acidity, progressive melting, and long finish
Companies that use Jacques Genin
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Jacques Genin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Jacques Genin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ValrhonacoreSix-year collaboration with Valrhona to create a proprietary dark chocolate couverture (71% minimum cocoa) with beautiful acidity, progressive melting, and enhanced power. The chocolate originates from Madagascar and features a superb finish and long taste. This partnership produced the signature 'Jacques Genin' dark chocolate used in all tablets.
- Ingrid AstiercoreAuthor and unconditional supporter of Jacques Genin since the first Parisian workshop at rue Saint-Charles. Writes all website texts and creates names for the house's chocolates. Known for her poetry celebrating chocolate and her novel 'La Vague' (2019) inspired by Teahupo'o. Her literary work includes 'Petit éloge de la nuit' (2014) adapted to theater with Pierre Richard, launched at the Jacques Genin chocolate shop.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Jacques Genin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- La Maison du Chocolat: Premium Parisian chocolatier offering handcrafted ganaches, pralinés, and gift boxes through boutiques and DTC. Direct competitor in the luxury French chocolate segment with similar product portfolio (ganaches, caramels, tablets) and gift assortment strategy.
- Pierre Hermé: Iconic Parisian pastry and chocolate maison known for macarons, chocolates, and confectionery. Closely comparable on artisanal positioning, Parisian boutique DTC model, premium gift assortments, and overlap in tablet/chocolate box categories.
- Patrick Roger: French sculptor-chocolatier with boutiques in Paris and internationally. Comparable on artisan craftsmanship positioning, signature sculptural chocolates, premium gift assortments, and DTC e-commerce for high-end French chocolate.
- Jean-Paul Hévin: Parisian chocolatier offering high-end ganaches, pralinés, and tablets with boutique and online presence. Directly comparable on premium positioning, French artisan sourcing, gift écrins, and Parisian boutique DTC model.
- Debauve & Gallais: Historic Parisian chocolate house (founded 1800) specializing in fine chocolates, ganaches, and confectionery. Comparable on premium Parisian positioning, heritage artisan brand, boutique retail on rue Saint-Honoré, and DTC gift assortments.
- Bonnat Chocolatier: Historic French chocolatier (founded 1884) known for single-origin chocolate tablets from Voiron. Closely comparable on premium tablet category, single-origin dark chocolate focus, French family-owned artisanal production, and DTC online sales.
- Maison Boissier: French confectionery and chocolate maison with boutique presence. Comparable on traditional French artisan chocolate/confectionery products (caramels, pralinés, tablets), gift assortments, and boutique DTC distribution.
- Christian Constant: Parisian chocolatier and pâtissier with boutique presence offering premium chocolates and confections. Comparable on artisan French positioning, Parisian boutique DTC model, and high-end chocolate assortments.
- Auer Chocolatier: Historic Parisian chocolate and confectionery maison (founded 1760). Comparable on traditional French artisan craftsmanship, premium positioning, and Parisian boutique distribution of chocolates and confections.
Others
- Valrhona: French premium chocolate couverture producer and Jacques Genin's exclusive partner for the proprietary Madagascar dark chocolate. Not a direct competitor — operates upstream as ingredient supplier and B2B brand — but tightly relevant as the partner enabling JG's product differentiation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Jacques Genin social profiles
Digital presenceJacques Genin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Jacques Genin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Jacques Genin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Jacques Genin M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Jacques Genin
What does Jacques Genin do?
Jacques Genin is a Parisian artisanal chocolate maker that handcrafts premium chocolates, ganaches, pralinés, caramels, nougats, pâtes de fruits, and chocolate tablets entirely by hand in its Marais workshop. Products are sold directly to consumers and gift buyers through a company-owned boutique in Paris, an e-commerce site (jacquesgenin.fr), and international shipping.
Is Jacques Genin a public or private company?
Jacques Genin is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Jacques Genin founded?
Jacques Genin was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Jacques Genin based?
Jacques Genin is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Jacques Genin make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Who are Jacques Genin's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are La Maison du Chocolat, Pierre Hermé, Patrick Roger, Jean-Paul Hévin, Debauve & Gallais, Bonnat Chocolatier, Maison Boissier, Christian Constant and Auer Chocolatier. Valrhona is listed as an others.
Does Jacques Genin have an API?
No public API is recorded for Jacques Genin.
What industry is Jacques Genin in?
Jacques Genin's product category is Artisanal Chocolate. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADABAA, Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery, with a secondary code of THAFAGAD, Chocolate & Confectionery Shops. Its NAICS code is 31135 and its SIC code is 2060.