food
Fine Pastries
Paris is the world capital of pastry: éclairs, mille-feuilles, macarons and signature creations.
History & context
French pastry was codified in the 19th century by Antonin Carême and then Auguste Escoffier: exact recipes, repeated gestures, windows arranged like jewellers' displays.
Paris is still the global showcase of this craft, from the classic éclair to the Paris-Brest, created in 1910 in tribute to the cycling race of the same name.
Why visit
- ·A visible craft, where the shop window is part of the show
- ·Classics you'll recognise anywhere: éclair, mille-feuille, Paris-Brest, lemon tart
- ·A treat that travels easily for a picnic
What to see
- ·Pierre Hermé (macarons)
- ·Cédric Grolet (sculpted fruits)
- ·Ladurée (Champs-Élysées)
- ·Du Pain et des Idées
Practical tips
- ·Queues at Grolet are common
- ·Try a classic Paris-Brest
Best photo spots
- ·The shop window head-on, rows of cakes lined up
- ·A cake held in hand in front of a Haussmann façade
Good to know
- ·Delicate pastries travel badly: eat them soon after buying
- ·Many houses offer individual sizes, easier for tasting several
- ·Ask for a box if you're walking a while: it's usually provided
Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.
Anu's insider tip
Grab a pastry and settle in the Luxembourg Garden or the Tuileries: the best tearoom in Paris.
Itineraries with this place
Nearby
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