Bordeaux Chocolaterie Cadiot-Badie Marks 200th Anniversary with Easter Production Surge

The Cadiot-Badie chocolaterie in Bordeaux, France, is celebrating its bicentennial this year. This family-owned establishment, currently run by two sisters, has become a local institution known for its artisanal confections. A signature creation is the 'guinette bordelaise,' a cherry liqueur treat coated in chocolate that represents a regional specialty. As Easter approaches, the shop enters its busiest period, producing over five tons of chocolate specifically for the holiday. This seasonal output accounts for approximately one-quarter of the annual revenue for many chocolatiers, including Cadiot-Badie. The proprietors emphasize the importance of transmitting their craft to new generations to ensure the continuation of traditional methods. For the Easter season, the shop features a special chocolate sculpture of the Marquis de Tourny, a historical figure who transformed Bordeaux's urban landscape. Staff members describe the intense pre-holiday preparation as akin to athletic training for a marathon, highlighting the demanding nature of this crucial sales period.