On my walk to school, for example, I pass a store called La Maison du Chocolat, which sells hundreds of kinds of chocolate, eclairs, and other treats. This company has been awarded the MOF title for their chocolate-making for many years, and one taste of the chocolate makes it clear why. This doesn't mean that only stores with the title of MOF should be visited, however, as Paris is full of stores that sell delicious chocolate! However, the MOF branding an easy and accurate way to find a dependable store for a certain good or service.
Part of the fun of living in France is discovering hidden places that make excellent products. In America, especially the parts where I lived, every store near me was a chain that sold mediocre products, like Starbucks, Chili's or H&M. There were no small businesses that actually sold high-quality products. In Paris, however, these small businesses can be found on every corner. The MOF system is very helpful when discovering crafts that are renowned across the country, but it just takes time and a willingness to explore to find the real hidden gems. I hope to discover so much more of these, and to tell you all about them!
