Our tips and recommendations series continue with a nearly impossible mission as every street in Paris has its own pastry shop. So please consider that we choose them following our taste and experience.
Don’t miss the other series of Counting Down To #WCEU:
- Paris From Above : everything you need to know about getting unique views of the French capital. Read More
- Paris For Kids And Families : what you can do if you travel with your family. Read More
In this article we recommend pastry shops owned by chefs but Paris hosts myriads of small pastry shops called patisseries. The patisseries are often also bakeries (boulangeries) where you can buy the emblematic baguettes.
Buying Baguettes
Let’s talk a little bit about the art of buying baguettes. For those who think that buying a baguette is easy as asking for a… baguette are mistaken. There are a lot of different breads including all kinds of baguettes. My recommendation is to ask for a baguette tradition (sometimes also called campaillette – pronounced campayet). It is a bit more expensive (around one euro) but definitely tastes better. You can ask for it bien cuite (well cooked) if you like your bread with a slight taste of burn or pas trop cuite (not overcooked). You can also taste and buy traditional cakes that French people have on Sundays, like the éclairs or religieuses. Of course, you’ll also find croissants. Prefer the croissant au beurre (with butter) and it’s better to buy them in the early morning as they are fresh from the oven. Finally try to avoid to buy baguettes in supermarkets. They are factory made and taste like paper.
Now for our great pastry and chocolate recommendations.
Have An Ispahan From Pierre Hermé
Pierre Hermé is unique among confectioners. His cakes are unique too. They belong to haute couture. Pierre Hermé has invented a totally new set of tastes and shapes. His most famous cake is probably the Ispahan which subtly mixes almond, meringue, raspberries and rose petals cream. Pierre Hermé was nominated as best pastry cook in the world in 2016. Don’t hesitate to drop by to his shop, rue Bonaparte. But keep in mind that you’ll probably have to line up before enjoying your cake.
Rediscover Your Childhood Memories
With La patisserie des rêves (The Cake Shop of Dreams), Philippe Conticini, its chef and co-founder, reinvents the cakes you had when you were a child. This is the place where you can eat classics like the Paris-Brest, the Saint-Honoré and the Millefeuille in a new and unique way.
Taste Pastries From A Palace
Christophe Michalak is the pastry chef of the Plaza-Athénée, one of the most famous Parisian palaces. He also owns a boutique where you’ll find fun and modern pastries like Le Kosmik, Le Klassik or the Tarte K.
If You Are A Chocolate Fanatic
Paris is a great place to taste homemade chocolate. If you want (re)discover what chocolate is when it is not done in a Factory, you should visit the shops of Pierre Marcolini where he concocts unique blends of chocolate, almond, milk and dried fruits. You will also find very good macarons.
Cakes And Bread
Claire Damont is the pastry chef of Des gâteaux et du pain shop. She sells jams, viennoiseries (i.e. croissants, apple pies, raisin breads…) and of course cakes. She is notably known for her caramel and salted butter éclairs. Her cakes are inspired by French local products and reinterpreted in a very modern way.
We hope you’ll have a great time savoring cakes in Paris.