The Art of French Pastry
There’s something unique about the mouthwatering, buttery taste of French pastries that you won´t experience anywhere else in the world. Every baker has their own recipe used to create individual masterpieces.
Whether you’re a fan of pain au chocolat, love a creamy éclair or enjoy the fruity taste of tarte tatin, you’ll be spoilt for choice when discovering the French pastries of Paris.
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Stuck for souvenirs?
If you’re looking for a memory of Paris for friends back home you’ll find a delicious range of French pastries and sweet gifts at Chez Meunier in Le Gourmand.
A Short History of French Pastries
Want to know more about where the mille feuille on your plate comes from? French pastries date back to the Middle Ages, when specialist “pâtissiers” began to demonstrate their skills in baking and decorating pastries.
As the Renaissance took place, bakers began to use exotic ingredients important from the East to flavor their creations. When Anne of Austria introduced chocolate to France from Spain, French pastries became even more delectable.
During the 18th century, the French pastry became a delicacy with pastry chefs competing for a space at the tables of the upper classes.
Craftsmanship in French Pastry Making
Today French pastry making is an art. The pastry chef is more than a baker. They’re a craftsman who combines ingredients, preparation techniques and flourishes of decor to create an edible masterpiece.
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Learn how to make the best French pastries
Book a place at our Baker’s Secrets cooking class and recreate the delicious tastes of a French bakery at home. You’ll learn how to make a selection of irresistible French pastries along with some of the finest French desserts, such as Crème Brulée.
Best French Pastries by Region
Wherever you stay in France you’ll find a wide selection of French pastries. The good news is you don´t have to travel far to sample them when in Paris. From a creamy custard éclair to a chestnut-flavor Mont Blanc cake that looks like a snow-capped mountain, there’s an authentic French dessert for everyone.
Parisian Indulgences: Must-try Pastries in the Capital
Enjoy the pleasure of a Parisian fruit tart topped with fresh strawberries or raspberries, at Pierre Hermé. Or treat yourself to the sheer indulgence of the Paris-Brest, filled with pastry cream. After a day’s sightseeing in Paris, why not reminisce with a slice of Paris Opera cake – perfect for chocolate lovers?
Sweet Treats from the Coast
Calissons d’Aix are a Provence delicacy flavored with orange blossom while the custard-filled cannelés from Bordeaux are sure to leave you wanting more.
Pastries with a German Influence
The north of France offers some delightful desserts with a German heritage. Tarte aux Mirabelles contains locally grown plums, while kouglof is often served at Christmas and is baked with alcohol-soaked dried fruit.
Rustic and Hearty Pastries
From the delicate waffles (gaufres) of Calais, and the orange-flambéed crêpes suzette of Normandy to Brittany’s Kouign Amann (butter cake), France has its share of pastries to satisfy every appetite.
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Try the pastries of France while in Paris
If you’re looking for a tempting selection of French pastries to try on your Paris vacation head for the Galeries Lafayette restaurants. Enjoy fresh fruit-decorated French toast at EL&N London or coffee and croissants at Café Coutume.
Discover the Classic French Pastries
Croissant: The Quintessential French Pastry
Flaky and buttery, the croissant is the heart of a true French breakfast.
Pain au Chocolat: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream
Similar to a croissant with a chocolate filling.
Éclair: The Elegant French Classic
A long pastry filled with rich cream and topped with chocolate.
Saint-Honoré
A flaky base adorned with puff pastry rings and light pastry and crowned with caramelized cream.
Macaron: The Delightfully Colorful Meringue
Tiny meringue shells filled with ganache in a selection of flavors combinations.
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Do you love macarons?
Sign up for our macaron-making class and learn the secrets of how to make this tempting dessert. The class is suitable for all levels of cook and is a great fun activity for families or adults.
Mille Feuille: Layers of Perfection
A melting layered pastry filled with cream.
Madeleine: The Small But Mighty Sponge Cake
Kouign Amann: The Caramelized Delight from Brittany
Tarte Tatin: The Upside-Down Apple Tart
Caramelized apples in a flaky pastry crust. Best enjoyed with Chantilly cream.
Chouquette: The Airy Sugar-Puffed Pastry
Light choux pastry dusted with sugar.
The Rise of Modern French Pastries
If you’re looking for a French dessert with a difference you’ll find a contemporary take on the classic éclair at L’Éclair de Génie. With modern flavors such as salted caramel and coconut whipped cream, you’ll never taste éclairs like this again. Why not walk off the extra calories with a spot of exercise at the Galeries Lafayette Wellness Galerie?
Making French Pastries at Home
Essential Tools and Ingredients for Aspiring Bakers
The best French pastry chefs only use quality tools and ingredients. Here’s a list of what you need, most of which you’ll find in the baking section on the first floor:
- Rolling pin.
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheets
You can also buy all the ingredients you need in Le Gourmet on the first floor to complete your French patisserie experience. You’ll also find an inspiring selection of French patisserie delights at Yann Couvreur in Le Gourmet.
Step-by-Step Recipes for Beginners
If you’ve always fancied baking French pastries but thought they were difficult think again. Our Bakers Secrets and Macaron Making workshops are taught by Ferrandi School professionals who’ll show you how to create the finest French patisserie products.
You can even learn to bake macarons together in a family macaron class and enjoy an experience to remember.
Where to find the best French Pastries in Paris
Galeries Lafayette is more than just a shopping destination where you can find all your favourite brands; it’s a gastronomic journey through the best tasting French pastries in the world. If you love shopping and snacking, the Galeries Lafayette restaurants have a mouthwatering selection of authentic French pastries on offer.
Le Gourmet
Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet on the ground floor of the main store is a dedicated food hall that offers an extensive selection of luxury food products, including a vast selection of French pastries.
A visit to Le Gourmet takes you on a sensory journey that’ll leave you wanting to fill your suitcase with French pastries and delicatessen delights. The aroma of freshly baked pastries and decadent displays promises to captivate your senses.
Pierre Hermé
To taste the exquisite pastry maker’s delights stop off at Pierre Hermé and treat yourself to the most delicious tasting delicacies. Renowned for melt-in-the-mouth macarons and chocolate worldwide, Pierre’s innovative creations are a masterpiece of French patisserie.
Just in case you miss the first store, you’ll find Pierre Hermé located at 3 destinations of the main store: on the 1st and 4th floors and in Le Gourmet on the ground floor.
You’ll also find several Pierre Hermé patisseries scattered throughout Paris and indeed the world, to ensure you never miss out on a decadent dessert.
EL&N London
Another haven within the Galeries Lafayette coupole store, EL&N London offers a colorful and vibrant twist to the classic French pastry. If you love to post on Instagram this is the place to get the best pics.
The selection of carefully crafted pastries look almost too good to eat. Buttery croissants, pains au chocolat and delicate madeleines offer a delectable selection of pastries to sample. You’ll also find a range of traditional desserts here, such as lemon meringue tart and raspberry cheesecake.
The patisseries of Paris
There are so many to choose from, and once you’ve sampled the pastries at Galeries Lafayette you won’t be able to resist these typical French desserts which can be eaten at any time of day.
If you’ve fallen in love with the taste of French macarons don´t forget you can take a professional macaron-making class at Galeries Lafayette. We offer both adult macaron classes and family macaron workshops – and you get to sample your work!
