Anis De Flavigny

Les anis de Flavigny, the very famous little French mint, has been produced in Flavigny since at least 1591. Only one producer remains, however, the Troubat family, but its factory, with 25 employees, is open to the public, and much of the ground floor is devoted to the history of the candy and its making. Anise is one of my favorite flavors, although I prefer it in liquid form--Pernod, Ricard, etc.--and Vicki is always open to candy stores, so...

You could walk right by the place never suspecting anything
more than the neighborhood candy shop

Yet, beyond the candy shop are room after room of
displays on the candy, its making, history, importance
in French culture, etc.

The process, called dragee, involves coating a single
anise seed with a sugar syrup successively over 15
days...above are examples from various days of coating 

Video presentations in various rooms

Bonbons of our childhood

Anise is not the only flavor nowadays...among ingredients of other
flavors

As in a perfumery, squeeze the bulb and you get a whiff of aroma

Packaging; historically

Famous client department

Can't get more famous than this

Used to carry the royal Anis de Flavigny in a little round like this

Easy to miss! Free samples!

Plunk the magic twanger and a mint pops out

Walking around by the factory, with its 25 employees

Classroom with old candy-making devices

I don't think they're into sugar-free yet

Sweet!