I know that in this day and age, when everyone is trying to eliminate sugar from their diet, writing about sweets is a bit daring. However, I think that the culinary art of the French belongs to Paris as much as the Eiffel Tower. Where else but in Paris can you taste these unique gems? You will come across pastry shops in the Parisian streets on almost every corner. It is no secret that the local pastry chefs are considered and recognized as the best in the world. Walking past a showcase with sweets is a real experience that you will probably never get enough of. What I like, however, is that each of these gems has its own story.
LADURÉE
COLORFUL MACARONI WHEREVER YOU LOOK
Ladurée is one of the oldest confectioneries. Its roots date back to the 19th century and they sell truly amazing colorful macaroons. These little meringues are made of egg whites and sugar and are held together with a flavored butter filling. The name comes from the Italian word “makarone” for meringue. At Ladurée they are beautiful to look at, smell wonderful and taste even better. They are beautifully smooth on the surface, crispy, without cracks and incredibly fragile. What I probably enjoy most is that they have won with colors and flavors here.
Most people think of macaroons as traditional French sweets. However, history tells us that they originated in Italy and were introduced to France by Catherine de Medici, daughter of the Duke of Florence, Lorenzo II. de Medici, who married the French King Henry II. of France. She and her chefs prepared macaroons at the French court. The macaroon was also widely promoted by the modern film about Queen Marie Antoinette, in which director Sofia Coppola decided to use a macaroon as one of the props. And although this story is not true, it makes for great advertising for macaroons!
The macaroons from this confectionery are famous all over the world and believe me, once you taste them, you will become addicted to them from the first bite. Did you know that an incredible twelve thousand of them are sold here every day and more than four million per year?!
The premises of this pastry shop are really very elegant, with beautiful crystal chandeliers, the walls are decorated with motifs of exotic plants and birds. You can take the macaroons from the pastry shop one piece at a time or you can have them wrapped in 4, 6 or 8 pieces. The only thing you have to be prepared for here is long queues. However, they pass quickly. Ladurée exists today not only in France, you can also meet them in Japan, Italy, Switzerland, the USA or Saudi Arabia. If you are in Paris, be sure to visit the branch on the Champs – Elysées and at 14 Rue de Castiglione. Each pastry shop is completely different and exceptional in its own way. It is simply a phenomenon!
HERMÉ
STOP AT PICASSO CONFECTIONERY
Another stop you shouldn’t miss in Paris is the boutique specializing in macaroons owned by the famous Parisian confectioner Pierre Hermé, who brought macaroons back to prominence. He also supplies his sweets to the aforementioned famous confectionery house Ladureé.
His macaroons are not just green, blue or pink, but he focuses on combining colors and flavors. He does this brilliantly. I personally really liked the combination with salted caramel. Whoever invented salted caramel (in French, caramel au beurre salé) must have been a genius.
When you taste a macaron with this combination for the first time, you will understand why it has become a hit in the world of confectioners. Thanks to his confectionery skills, Pierre has been called the “Picasso of confectionery” by Vogue magazine. I think he is right. His flavor combinations are truly amazing.
ODETTE – DESSERT MADE FROM BAKED DOUGH
Near the famous Notre Dame Cathedral at 77 Rue Galange, you will find a cute little patisserie Odette. You will not be able to resist the famous French dessert called chou à la crème. The basis of chou à la crème (sometimes also pâte à choux), which was already served at the court of Catherine de Medici, is the so-called batter in the shape of a ball with a variety of fillings and colorful icing. The traditional ones are chocolate, vanilla, coffee, caramel, praline or pistachio.
ANGELIKA – BEST HOT CHOCOLATE
Another amazing Art Nouveau patisserie near the Louvre at 226 Rue de Rivoli is Angelina, a patisserie that has always been popular with the Parisian aristocracy. Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn even sat at one of the tables.
They make the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had using a traditional recipe. If you don’t want to have it in the shop, they’ll happily serve it in a cup and you can drink it in the nearby Tuileries Gardens. The shop is named after the famous Angelina, who was the bride of the Austrian confectioner Anton Rumpelmayer.
Á LA MÉRE DE FAMILLE –
THE OLDEST PASTRY IN PARIS
If you decide to go on a sweet tour of Paris with me, you shouldn’t miss the Á la Mére de Famille patisserie. It is the oldest Parisian patisserie, founded in 1761. You can find its shop at the same location at 35 Rue du Faubourg Montmarte, where it used to be and it is said to have remained unchanged for the past 258 years. Chocolate lovers will find their way here. They sell chocolate with candied fruit or salted caramel in small boxes, as well as many other sweets. The company has other branches in Paris, but a visit to the original shop is a must for chocolate lovers.
Crêpes – DIVINE PANCAKES
And if you don’t have money to give away, there’s nothing easier than having a pancake on the street. The first pancakes are said to have originated in the ancient Persian Empire, from where they made their way to France. In Paris, you can buy them under the name “Crêpes“.
So you can see for yourself that the temptation of sweet desserts in Paris is irresistible. I’m on a strict diet now that I’m back, but believe me, I don’t regret a single macaroon I’ve eaten. 🙂 You can’t deny that the French are masters of the pastry craft!
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