Planning a trip to Paris soon? It is the city of love and buttery pastries. You cannot and I mean cannot go to Paris without trying at least one boulangerie! We list three must try delicious boulangeries. When you get to Paris you will see boulangeries on every street corner. Because of this, it can get very overwhelming trying to decide on which one to eat at. They are as popular as the common drug store. If you are a pastry lover these three places will be your boulangerie heaven!
Once you are in the boulangerie there are plenty of options to choose from. It can be overwhelming but pointing out a fresh crunchy baguette or more on the sweet side a classic croissant or the choc o pain you can NEVER go wrong.
Warning: The following locations I am about to list are so amazing that you may have, a bit of a wait before indulging in the most heavenly masterpieces.
Du Pain Et Des Idées
Location: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris
Website – http://dupainetdesidees.com
If you want to try a classic original boulangerie, this is the place you need to go to. It takes you back in time. The owner took over this spot in 2002 but this actual place dates back to the 19th century. It has always been a bakery since 1875. As soon as you walk in, it will make you feel as if time has stopped. The owner of this bakery, Christophe Vasseury, was self taught and really mastered the art of a perfect french pastry. Endless buttery treats galore. When you walk in you will feel overwhelmed but for your first time, the line does go quick and the regular customers know what they want. Try to take your time and take it all in. The stand out item to try is the Pistachio snail treat otherwise known as – Escargot chocolat-pistaches. Do not worry, it is not filled with actual snails. This swirly treat is delicate and full of flavour. The notes of the nutty pistachio is the undertone of this buttery pastry. This boulangerie is a time-warp and is absolute heaven! This boulangerie is more on the pricey side but it is certainly worth the splurge! Your tastebuds will sing.
The French Bastards
Locations:
61 Rue Oberkampf
181 Rue Saint-Denis
35 PL. Saint- Ferdinand
Website – https://thefrenchbastards.fr
Since we headed back in time with the first boulangerie we listed, let’s head back to the present day. The “new generation” of French bakers. The French Bastards was started by three gentlemen. Julien Abourmand, David Abehsera and Emmanuel Gunther; they are the creators of this modern day boulangerie. You have to admit the name is amazing! When you walk in you automatically feel like a Parisian hipster. Leave your berets at home and opt for a subtle canvas tote bag. (All terrible jokes aside.) The French Bastards have a very cool atmosphere and a welcoming presence. Make sure to get there earlier in the morning for more options. Everything is freshly baked so once items are gone… they are gone! Baguettes galore and sweet and savoury treats can be found here. The standout item however, is the cruffin. You may be asking yourself – What the heck is a Cruffin? Guess what, after this experience they will be everything you think about! A cruffin is a croissant mixed with a muffin and it is heavenly. It is not as heavy a muffin but it is definitely for the ultimate sweet tooth. When you’re looking at this dessert it looks dense and quite heavy. It could not be more opposite. This light buttery dessert filled with custard makes you feel like you are floating. Pictured here is the chocolate Cruffin. The inside filling tastes like hot chocolate. You can taste the buttery croissant on the outside, it is crisp yet melts in your mouth. You will definitely need a napkin after this messy treat. The French bastards are a must try.
Mamiche
Locations:
45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris
32 Rue Château d’eau 75010 Paris
Website – https://www.mamiche.fr
Mamiche has a more attainable and relaxed feel. They have been established since 2017 by Victoria Effantin and Cecile Khayat, this bakery will make you feel at home. Out of all the boulangeries we talked about in this article this one is the least expensive out of the three. Just because it is the least expensive it does not mean the quality is any less. When you walk in you can’t help but to be met with the smell of fresh bread. It will make you extremely hungry as you stand in line. You will see fresh items come out from the back quickly and frequently. Make sure you pick up their croissants, breads and the cinnamon treats. They are known to use natural yeast. Each treat is hand made and they take pride in that.
Some tips and tricks when handling french pastries. The look, smell & crunch are three elements you must pay attention to. First, the look… If they do not have that glossy and buttery appearance, then I do not want it. French pastries look sexy and look like high end mannequins window-side of a Dior store. Second, the smell… there will be nothing like it! The aroma of butter, fresh bread and pure luxury chocolate smacks you right across the face as soon as you enter a boulangerie. In my mind, this is the true scent of Paris. Third, the crunch…Snag a baguette and simply listen to the sound as it crunches in the air. It is a delight. The way the buttery croissants magically puff up and maintain their shape as you hear the ultimate luxurious crunch. This is the french way of getting high on love.
At this point you are fully prepared for the ultimate boulangerie experience. Take this list to Paris with you and delight in the amazing delicacies Paris has to offer. I promise you it will make you want to go back year after year. Bon Appetit!
