Everyone who's been to Paris tells you that if you love chocolate, you must go to the legendary Angelina's for the amazing pastries and the decadent "Chocolat Africaine" (never mind the politically incorrect name). For the uninitiated, this type of hot chocolate is really an earthy sludge, resembling a melted chocolate bar, that has to be cut with whipped cream so that you can actually drink it. Follow it up with a tap water chaser and you've had your "Angelina's" experience, just like thousands of other tourists they've served that day.
La Charlotte serves a similar sort of hot chocolate (but calls it something more whimsical) but in a completely different setting. Sylvie Langlet's romantic shop on the Ile St. Louis has many followers, particularly children who go to the Wednesday puppet shows (reservations necessary for the show). You'll feel as though you've wandered into the Hansel & Gretel story
Upon entering Sylvie's tea shop, you'll admire the glass case full of tarts, chocolate figurines and pastries baked right on the premises. In fact, you 'll have the pleasure of the constant smell of baking (kinda like grandmas?) throughout your stay. Look carefully at what's offered in the glass case as it's likely you'll be pointing something in there when it comes time to order.
Then pick one of the 3 tables in her store front or from the 4 in the back parlor, which resembles a tiny Victorian sitting room with its low lighting, mismatched armchairs, carnival masks, and dried flowers.
At this point you could order that hot chocolate or better yet a pot of one of the scores of teas she stocks (my favorite is the Jasmine) with a sweet (I like the "Witches Brooms" - chocolate dipped orange rinds). You'll feel like you're enjoying tea in someone's living room as the classical music drifts in and the smell of pastries being baked goes on.
Even using the restroom is an experience. Literally a water closet (but very clean) it's located in the charming courtyard behind the shop which you would have never seen unless you had to go!
The shop is closed for vacation in July and August. The webpage is: http://perso.orange.fr/la-charlotte/index.htm