{"id":1208405,"date":"2024-08-29T14:54:41","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T12:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/?p=1208405"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:25:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T09:25:55","slug":"discover-the-best-of-french-pastries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/en\/discover-the-best-of-french-pastries\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Ultimate Guide to French Pastries: Decadent Delights from France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Art of French Pastry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s something unique about the mouthwatering, buttery taste of French pastries<\/strong> that you won\u00b4t experience anywhere else in the world. Every baker has their own recipe<\/strong> used to create individual masterpieces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a fan of pain au chocolat, love a creamy \u00e9clair<\/strong> or enjoy the fruity taste of tarte tatin<\/strong>, you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice when discovering the French pastries<\/strong> of Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stuck for souvenirs?<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a memory of Paris for friends back home you\u2019ll find a delicious range of French pastries and sweet gifts at Chez Meunier<\/a><\/span> in Le Gourmet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Short History of French Pastries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to know more about where the mille feuille<\/strong> on your plate comes from? French pastries <\/strong>date back to the Middle Ages, when specialist \u201cp\u00e2tissiers\u201d began to demonstrate their skills in baking and decorating pastries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> from Spain, French pastries <\/strong>became even more delectable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 18th<\/sup> century, the French pastry became a delicacy with pastry chefs competing for a space at the tables of the upper classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Craftsmanship in French Pastry Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today French pastry<\/strong> making is an art. The pastry chef is more than a baker. They\u2019re a craftsman who combines ingredients, preparation techniques and flourishes of decor to create an edible masterpiece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn how to make the best French pastries<\/em><\/strong><\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book a place at our Baker\u2019s Secrets cooking class and recreate the delicious tastes of a French <\/em>bakery<\/em><\/strong> at home. You\u2019ll learn how to make a selection of irresistible French pastries along with some of the finest <\/em>French desserts, <\/em><\/strong>such as <\/em>Cr\u00e8me Brul\u00e9e.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best French Pastries by Region<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wherever you stay in France you\u2019ll find a wide selection of French pastries. <\/strong>The good news is you don\u00b4t have to travel far to sample them when in Paris. From a creamy custard \u00e9clair<\/strong> to a chestnut-flavor Mont Blanc<\/strong> cake that looks like a snow-capped mountain, there\u2019s an authentic French <\/strong>dessert for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parisian Indulgences: Must-try Pastries in the Capital<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the pleasure of a Parisian fruit tart topped with fresh strawberries or raspberries, at Pierre Herm\u00e9<\/a>. Or treat yourself to the sheer indulgence of the Paris-Brest<\/strong>, filled with pastry<\/strong> cream<\/strong>. After a day\u2019s sightseeing in Paris, why not reminisce with a slice of Paris Opera cake<\/strong> \u2013 perfect for chocolate lovers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweet Treats from the Coast<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Calissons d\u2019Aix are a Provence delicacy flavored with orange blossom while the custard-filled cannel\u00e9s from Bordeaux are sure to leave you wanting more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastries with a German Influence<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> with alcohol-soaked dried fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rustic and Hearty Pastries<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the delicate waffles (gaufres) of Calais, and the orange-flamb\u00e9ed cr\u00eapes suzette of Normandy to Brittany\u2019s Kouign Amann<\/strong> (butter<\/strong> cake<\/strong>), France has its share of pastries to satisfy every appetite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try the pastries of France while in Paris<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a tempting selection of French pastries to try on your Paris <\/strong>vacation head for the Galeries Lafayette restaurants. Enjoy fresh fruit French toast at Joe & the Juice<\/a> or coffee and croissants at Caf\u00e9 Coutume<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover the Classic French Pastries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Croissant: The Quintessential French Pastry<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Flaky and buttery, the croissant is the heart of a true French breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain au Chocolat: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to a croissant with a chocolate filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c9clair: The Elegant French Classic<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A long pastry filled with rich cream and topped with chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A flaky base adorned with puff<\/strong> pastry<\/strong> rings and light pastry and crowned with caramelized cream.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Macaron: The Delightfully Colorful Meringue<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tiny meringue shells filled with ganache in a selection of flavors combinations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Do you love macarons?<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for our <\/em>macaron-making class<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a> and learn the secrets of how to make this tempting <\/em>dessert<\/em><\/strong>. The class is suitable for all levels of cook and is a great fun activity for families or adults.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mille Feuille: Layers of Perfection<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A melting layered pastry filled with cream.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madeleine: The Small But Mighty Sponge Cake<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kouign Amann: The Caramelized Delight from Brittany<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarte Tatin: The Upside-Down Apple Tart<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caramelized apples in a flaky pastry crust. Best enjoyed with Chantilly cream.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chouquette: The Airy Sugar-Puffed Pastry<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Light <\/em>choux<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>pastry<\/em><\/strong> dusted with sugar.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rise of Modern French Pastries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a French dessert<\/strong> with a difference you\u2019ll find a contemporary take on the classic \u00e9clair at L\u2019\u00c9clair de G\u00e9nie. With modern flavors such as salted caramel and coconut whipped cream,<\/strong> you\u2019ll never taste \u00e9clairs like this again. Why not walk off the extra calories with a spot of exercise at the Galeries Lafayette Wellness Galerie<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making French Pastries at Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Essential Tools and Ingredients for Aspiring Bakers<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best French<\/strong> pastry chefs only use quality tools and ingredients. Here\u2019s a list of what you need, most of which you\u2019ll find in the baking section<\/a> on the first floor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n