Gourmet Paris
WGSN.com, September 21 2006
Paris’ various chocolatiers, bakeries and patisseries can provide rich design inspiration as well as gastronomic pleasure. WGSN lists the best gourmet destinations in the city.
Ladurée |
Financier, tartine, madeleine, macaron, napoléon – the myriad of pastries and delicacies on offer in Paris is overwhelming and each one is honourably named.
It’s a gourmet’s nirvana as well as being visually inspiring – we fell into a sugar coma just looking at the delicately pastel-toned macaroons on display at Pierre Hermé.
WGSN helps sort the croquembouches from the canelés and the beignets from the bugnes and you’ll be hard pushed not to find a favourite treat from this selection. As for us, we’ll take a fat, rich financier any day of the week…
Ladurée
A favourite with Parisians and visitors alike, get out the twinset, pearls and matching handbag and shoes in readiness for the elegantly gilded Ladurée dream. Opt for afternoon tea and don’t be put off by the long queues for its famous macaroons, as they’re well worth the wait. The seasonal store windows are a visual treat too.
Pierre Hermé
France’s most acclaimed pastry chef has turned his family business into a household name. Known for his exacting baking standards, his sleek little shop on the Rue Bonaparte near the Place Saint-Sulpice is well worth a peek for lovers of fussy, well-presented food.
Jean-Pierre Cohier
Bursting with ingredients, head to M Cohier’s for the best baguette in town. Winner of the “Golden Baguette”, this is French culinary craftsmanship at its simplest and best according to our Paris correspondent, Mark Tungate, who also recommends Le Valentin in the Passage Jouffroy for great tea and cakes.
Le Bon Marché’s “Grand Epicerie”
You can spot the foodies salivating in the aisles at the prospect of so many specialist delicacies. From packaging to colourful displays of bizarre fruits, don’t miss this upmarket supermarché. We recommend grabbing a takeout lunch and sitting in the park at the front of the department store.
Fauchon
We certainly can’t fail to mention Fauchon, the high temple of French cuisine. Luscious window displays and even more luscious delicacies make this a sensual destination. Check out the traditional pink tins of candies too.
Jean-Paul Hévin
Ditch the Green & Blacks and head straight to Hévin’s chocolate store for some pure, cocoa-induced satisfaction, not to mention the beautifully crafted presentation of his treats. We love the fact that so much effort has gone into a moment’s fleeting pleasure.
Addresses
Ladurée
16, rue Royale
Tel: +33 (0)1 4260 2179
75, avenue des Champs-Elysees
Tel: +33 (0)1 40 75 08 75
www.laduree.fr
Pierre Hermé
72 rue Bonaparte
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 54 47 77
www.pierreherme.com
Jean-Pierre Cohier
270 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
Le Valentin
Passage Jouffroy
Off Blvd Montmartre
La Grande Epicerie (Le Bon Marché)
24, rue de Sèvres
www.lebonmarche.fr
www.lagrandeepicerie.fr
Fauchon
26 and 30, place de la Madeleine
Tel: +33 [0] 170393884
www.fauchon.fr
Jean-Paul Hévin
231, rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
Tel : +33 (0)1 55 35 35 96
www.jphevin.com
Traditional food stores: Bellota-Bellota
18 rue Jean Nicot
Tel : +33 (0)1 5359 9696
Barthélemy
51 rue de Grenelle
Tel: +33 (0)1 4222 8224
Le Moulin de la Vierge
166 avenue de Suffren
105 rue Vercingetorix
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 43 45 55
Leave a Reply