David Lebovitz - Paris Pastry Guide

All text and photos by pastry chef and author David Lebovitz.

Fleur de Lire Press is an independent publishing company based in Paris, France. We produce print travel guides, websites, mobile apps, and eBooks.

Text and Images copyright David Lebovitz. Paris Pastry Shops copyright Fleur de Lire Press, 2012.

9782953187045

Reviews and photos by David Lebovitz
Edited by Heather Stimmler-Hall
Research assistance by Bryan Pirolli

Cover design by Rachel Cunliff

www.Paris-Pastry.com
First Edition, 2012
Text and images copyright David Lebovitz

Published by Fleur de Lire Press
77 avenue des Gobelins 75013 Paris

ISBN 9782953187045

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system except by expressed written permission from the copyright owner.

Friends will often come to Paris, and shortly after their arrival, excitedly call to tell me: "There's the most amazing bakery just around the corner from our hotel, filled with fresh strawberry tarts, rows of golden croissants every morning, and baskets of bread they bake every day. You must come over and see it!"

It's at that moment that I realize how spoiled I am as there are bakeries like that all over Paris. No matter where you are in this city of sweets, you're never too far from something delectable and delicious. Having lived in Paris for close to a decade, I've have time to whittle down my favorites and the places included in this application are selected from over 1200 bakeries and chocolate shops in Paris. Some are outstanding and I would cross the city to visit them, others I reserve for certain specialties, like shops that might carry a favorite chocolate-dipped marshmallow or bake an exceptional chausson aux pommes (apple turnover).

My Top 25 shops are designated with an asterisk next to the title.

With over a thousand bakeries in Paris, it's simply not possible to include every one. There are plenty of small, corner spots that feed the denizens of specific neighborhoods all across Paris and for the most part, I've chosen ones that I think would be of most interest to visitors. Most bakeries either specialize in bread or pastries. And usually if a bakery does one well, the other isn't so well-represented. Because this is mostly a guide to pastries and chocolate shops, I've included only bread bakeries that are especially notable and where the bread is especially good.

A good number of bakeries are concentrated in the center of Paris where quality tends to be a more consistent because there's a more demanding clientele. For visitors, of course, that means less racing from one end of the city to the other. However many of the younger pastry chefs and bakers are in outlying neighborhoods due to lower rents, and I've included places that are off-the-beaten path for those up for a culinary adventure. Places close or change hands unexpectedly in Paris, which can prompt a change in hours, selection, or in quality. And many pastries are seasonal and may not be available all year round. By law, bakeries in France are supposed to close two days a week. During the summer months, many bakeries close for several weeks, although the government requires that they work in tandem with other bakeries in the neighborhoods so that no neighborhood is without an open bakery.

I hope you enjoy the bakeries and chocolate shops in this guide as much as I do. If you notice any places have changed hours or locations, please notify us at www.paris-pastry.com. This website also includes some extra tips on etiquette, navigating the confusing opening times, and ordering correctly en franais, as well as news about events and updates to Paris Pastry Shops.

Bon Apptit!

David Lebovitz

PS: If you have an iPhone, you might want to check out our Paris Pastry iPhone app, which includes maps and easily searchable categories that you can use on the go.

Paris Pastry Shops is a guide to over 300 of the best pastry, chocolate, ice cream and candy shops in Paris, as well as some of the best tea rooms and cafs. Each one has been hand-picked, reviewed and photographed by David Lebovitz.

Finding the Shops

The addresses are arranged alphabetically (if you cant find your favorite, it may be under L for La or Le, such as La Maison du Chocolat), all listed in the Index at the back, along with Categories pages where shops are listed by arrondissement (district) or specialty (Ice Cream/Gelato, Chocolate, Candies, Pastries & Bread, Hot Chocolate, Tea & Coffee). At the end of this guide youll also find a Glossary of common French food and baking terms with their English description.

Practical Info

Each shop includes the address with a link to a Google map (youll need an internet connection to view these), the closest metro station (M), telephone, opening hours, and a website if applicable. If youre calling from outside France, youll need to replace the initial 0 with +33. The 20 districts in Paris known as arrondissements are designated by zip code: 75001 is the 1st, 75006 is the 6th, etc.

Asterisks

Shops with an asterisk next to the title means they're one of David's Top 25.

Multiple Locations

Some shops have more than one location. We have not included every single shop, especially for chains like Amorino or Jeff de Brugges, but instead only included the most central locations. You can find all addresses on their websites.

Paris Pastry Website, Facebook & Twitter

You can find more information about the Paris Pastry Shops eBook and the Paris Pastry App at our website, www.paris-pastry.com. Visit us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/parispastry.

Contact

For any questions, corrections or comments regarding Paris Pastry Shops please email us at

Excellent breads from baker Benjamin Turquier; German-style Schwarzbrot as well as humble, but spectacular Tourte de Seigle (country rye) and Baguette de Tradition which won second place as the best in Paris. His feather light Far Breton is notable as well as the crusty white chocolate roll, Vannetais. A good afternoon snack is a slab of Pain d'pices, as is his pizza. Sunday, the nearby Bar Pains (27, boulevard du Temple) opens for brunch with generous amounts of his breads.

134 rue de Turenne75003MRpubliqueTel01 42 78 04 72OpenMon-Fri 7:30am-8:30pm, Sat 8:30am-1:30pmwww.barapain.com