Where did the French breakfast come from?
It’s the first meal of the day but in France, until the industrial revolution in the XIX century, there was no breakfast. Then as the days of work became longer and longer, the French workers started eating before going to work. However, that was mainly true in Paris at the beginning. It’s only as of 1945 that breakfast became a whole part of the French culture, all around France.
What exactly is a French breakfast?
Along with your coffee, tea or hot chocolate, the classic Parisian breakfast will usually include a combination of the following:
Pastries with the essential croissant and / or a “Pain au chocolat” (chocolate bread) but there exists a wide choice of other pastries. The butter croissant as we know it was created in 1920 by Parisian bakers but its origins date back to 1683. It is undeniably the must for a typical French Parisian breakfast!
Discover more about the croissant and the top 5 pastries you definitely need to try while in Paris!
The baguette. The legend of the French baguette goes back to Napoleon. Originally the bread was baked round-shaped for better conservation but Napoleon’s bakers invented the slender baguette shape to make it easier for transportation by the soldiers who were supposed to hang it along their leg.
Along with your baguette, you will normally find butter and jam. Those are the “tartines”. Then of course, an additional cereal, fresh juice or French omelet will make it perfect.
Breakfast at Galeries Lafayette?
There’s nothing like a good breakfast to start a day… of shopping! And Galeries Lafayette has got everything covered. The store has a very large variety of choices to make your French breakfast special.
Angelina’s famous tea room
Angelina was created in 1903. This refined and exquisite teahouse is one of the symbols of the French “Art de vivre” and has seen prestigious regular customers such as Coco Chanel or Proust. This true specialist of sweetness has settled its elegant quarters at the heart of Galeries Lafayette where you will find all their signature creations such as their unrivaled “chocolat chaud à l’ancienne, l’Africain” (old-fashioned hot chocolate called “The African”) and the famous “Mont Blanc” pastry. Now is as good a time as any to indulge your sweet tooth!
Angelina – 1st floor of Lafayette Dome – Luxury Department
Boulangerie Thierry Meunier
Thierry Meunier has been awarded with the prestigious title of “Meilleur ouvrier de France” for his extraordinary baker skills in 1997. Passionate about bread since his childhood, Meunier has one motto: “Excellence and innovation at the service of the bakery traditions”. And indeed, his bakeries have become among the best in France. Meunier is known for his outstanding organic breads and the high quality of the local products he uses. His creations enhance texture and taste and change according to the season.
Boulangerie Thierry Meunier – Ground floor of Le Gourmet.
Pastry chef Yann Couvreur settles at Galeries Lafayette
Since May 2018, one can enjoy genius Yann Couvreur pastries at the “YC Café” at Galeries Lafayette Gourmet. With his YC Café, Couvreur explores savory and offers a breakfast menu (but also brunch, lunch and tea time gourmet breaks) with the typical French morning products but also specialties such as a chocolate – pistachio pastry, French brioche or the Chef’s Breton special known as the Kouign-Amann.
YC Café – Ground floor of Le Gourmet
Lafayette café
On the 6th floor of the Coupole, you can enjoy breakfast with a view and start the day with a full load of energy. The Lafayette Café is ideal for a breakfast break before or between shopping. You can also do take away if you want to stay French but are in a rush!
Of course, in addition to this selection, you can find many other food and breakfast offers throughout the store.
Bon appétit!
