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    Home • Blog Posts

    Luxury Italian Ice Cream in Paris

    Published: Jul 12, 2016 · Modified: May 23, 2024 by Jill Colonna8 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy

    Queues for the best ice cream in Paris are inevitable when the Parisian summer sun heats up the City of Light. But there's a hidden corner of Paris where we can taste the finest Italian ice cream, right in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Prés.

    scoop of green tea ice cream in a cup in front of an Italian gelato shop in Paris

    Il Gelato del Marchese is situated in the Chocolate quarter near Odéon, where I used to lead my fun guided tours, due to its high concentration of chocolate and pastry shops.

    This chic ice cream parlour opened its doors in December 2014, created by the dynamic duo Renato Marchese and wife, Veronika Squillante Montoro.

    Renato Squillante Montoro
    Renato, the 'Marchese' himself

    Top Ingredients for the Best Gelato in Paris

    Il Marchese's gelato and sorbets stand out with top-quality ingredients like mineral water, unrefined sugar, and no artificial additives.
    Each day, they craft fresh flavours from seasonal fruits, such as the exquisite hazelnut ice cream sourced from the best producer in Piémont.

    a taste of the best gelato in Paris in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
    Green tea ice cream

    Pistachio Ice Cream

    My personal favourite, the pistachio gelato, is made from the finest pistachios from Iran. It not only boasts exceptional taste but its natural green hue guarantees authenticity.

    More pistachio!

    • Homemade pistachio paste
    • pistachio ice cream (with or without wasabi)
    • pistachio panna cottas with strawberries
    • pistachio tart
    Best pistachio luxury italian ice cream paris
    Pistachio gelato - the best Italian ice cream in Paris

    Il Marchese unveils new, seasonal flavours so these are just an example.
    Tasting their classic Tiramisu to a tangy Ricotta Cacao and a crunchy passion fruit sorbet, each flavour is a unique experience. The chocolate sorbet is a must try, made from 70% dark chocolate by Italian producers, Domori based in None, Italy.

    Handmade Italian ice-cream cones in Paris

    Tiramisu fans try my Macaron Tiramisu

    Crispy, artisanal cones (cornets) are made on site with hints of honey. Frankly, when they're as good as this, it's difficult to turn back to the thin, synthetic factory-made versions!

    inside the Italian ice cream parlour of Il Gelato del Marchese in Paris
    I had to take this when it was closed at night, without people in it!

    Savoury Italian Ice Cream

    For a savoury twist, try flavours like Tomato-Basil sorbet, Artichoke-Walnut ice cream, Salmon, and Mustard ice cream. These inventive creations can elevate any French apéritif recipes ('apéro'), our French pre-dinner ritual to tickle the senses and open the appetite. Any of these pair elegantly with Champagne, Crémant or Prosecco.

    Try the salmon or parmesan ice creams mixed into hot tagliatelle or Alsatian egg noodles for something a bit different.

    Savoury Italian ice cream at Il Gelato dei Marchese Paris

    My personal favourites are olive, imagining it on the terrace in Provence with a glass of chilled Rosé (a refreshingly cold tapenade sensation), and the mustard which, like my mini curry macarons from the savoury chapter in Mad About Macarons, it provokes a spicy-sweet tremble!

    For more on fun savouries, see
    savoury macarons and how to serve them

    Italian ice cream Embassy Paris

    The Marchese's ice-creams often feature at prestigious locations, such as at the Italian Embassy, pop-up boutiques at La Grande Epicerie, to the Lebey food awards in Paris.

    It's more than ice-cream; it creates an emotion.

    Renato
    Best luxury Italian ice cream in Paris

    Finish off your top gelato tasting at the newly renovated Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg gardens. This will surely complete a unique luxury experience of Italian ice cream in Paris. Bliss!

    Il Gelato del Marchese
    Italian luxury ice cream
    2, rue de Condé, Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris

    For our top French ice creams, see my self-guided sweet tour of Montmartre.

    This post is not sponsored and, as always, all opinions are my own.

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    Jill Colonna standing in a French patisserie lab holding a giant whisk over an oversized mixer bowl

    Bonjour - I'm Jill

    Author and home cook in Paris. Scottish and French, I've spent 30+ years in Paris sharing lighter, flavour-forward recipes with less sugar and no fuss. No fancy techniques - just real food we eat at home. You'll also find my travel tips to help you taste France like a local.

    Meet Jill

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    1. Liz

      July 14, 2016 at 3:54 am

      Wow, this ice cream parlor is extraordinary! The treats themselves sound amazing, but eaten in this elegant atmosphere makes it an experience to remember!!! Makes me want to return to Paris ASAP!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        July 14, 2016 at 3:43 pm

        That's it, Liz. It's a deliciously elegant experience and if this is going to help you return to Paris, I'm so happy you popped in!

        Reply
    2. Christina | Christina's Cucina

      July 13, 2016 at 4:27 pm

      Brilliant! Having been fortunate to have tasted Il Gelato del Marchese myself, I have to say you did a splendid job of describing not only the gelato, but the entire experience. I loved the atmosphere in the shop/tearoom as it is elegance defined.

      I'm excited to hear that they are growing and have an upcoming recipe book, because maybe they'll even want to come to LA! I can only hope! Heavenly gelato, Jill! Thank you for taking me there!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        July 13, 2016 at 6:20 pm

        Who knows, Christina? At this rate and such a wonderful reputation, why not LA too? Thanks for your kind words x

        Reply
    3. Betty

      July 13, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      Just beautiful! So gorgeous and am so interested to learn about their creative savory, as well as sweet, flavors!!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        July 13, 2016 at 4:03 pm

        Thanks for popping in Betty. Yes, the savoury ice creams were sensational and certainly something different to serve to guests that would make anyone smile!

        Reply
    4. Renata

      July 12, 2016 at 9:26 pm

      This post is fantastic! Everything about this place is perfect - such class, great taste, and elegance! Thank you for sharing the secret, I can barely wait to get there! XO

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        July 13, 2016 at 4:02 pm

        You would absolutely adore this place, Renata. Yes, elegance is the word - and of course, the ice creams and sorbets are out of this world!

        Reply

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    Bonjour - I'm Jill

    Author and home cook in Paris. Scottish and French, I've spent 30+ years in Paris sharing lighter, flavour-forward recipes with less sugar and no fuss. No fancy techniques - just real food we eat at home. You'll also find my travel tips to help you taste France like a local.

    Meet Jill
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