Oui Oui for Paris

There is something magical about the city of Paris. You feel like you're in a movie scene sitting at a little café enjoying your croissant.

If you ever have the chance you must visit Paris. There's nothing better than staring up at the Eiffel Tower with a baguette in your hand and a bottle of wine in the other. It's the city of love and home to some of the best bakeries in the world. I don't think you can walk into a Parisian café and leave disappointed. Check out some of the bakeries I loved when visiting Paris:

Le Grenier à Pain

I specifically went here because of it's name; Grenier is my last name, so of course I had to go to a bakery named after myself. Grenier in French means attic, translating the name, Le Grenier à Pan to "the bread attic."

Le Grenier à Pain is a bakery with significant environmental values, working with organizations to maintain grain quality, reduce the use of fertilizer and restrict the use of phytosanitary products (Le Grenier à Pain, 2020). They also work to reduce their carbon footprint by using local materials and supporting other French businesses.

I also love their philosophy, that baking is an artform. Just like artists, all bakers have their own stories, styles and signatures; they create beautiful masterpieces that are meant to by savored.

We are an alliance of artisan bakers united by the same passion, namely the art of good bread, homemade delicacy and beautiful cakes (Le Grenier à Pain, 2020)

My namesake certainly didn't disappoint! During my first trip to Paris in 2019 I got a delicious chocolate pastry and raspberry tart. Knowing the care and intention the bakers had when making my pastries warms my heart and makes me want to go back and try all their artistry.

Café de Flore

Café de Flore is something out of a movie, literally. There have been dozens of movies and TV shows filmed there. It's been a hot spot for celebrities for decades, with patrons such as Descartes, Picasso, Simone de Beauvoir and Ernest Hemingway. Today it's still a spot for influencers, musicians and actors alike, from the Kardashians to Bella and Gigi Hadid.

It's no wonder the café is a hot spot, it's absolutely gorgeous, set on a corner in the beautiful neighborhood of Saint Germain. Café de Flore offers a glimpse into old school Paris. Greenery overflows the balcony on the neon sign, with black and white chairs littering the patio overlooking the street. Eating at a café in Paris means your required to people watch! I don't make the rules!

They're known for their hot chocolate, but you will never go wrong with a latte and croissant. Even if you don't stop in for a bite, it's worth it just to admire the building and see the beauty of Saint Germain.

Ladurée

Ladurée is one of the most famous bakeries in the world, known for their macaroons. You cannot go to Paris and not stop in — probably blasphemy for all I know. They are the most scrumptious macaroons I've ever had. I lay awake at night often, thinking of the next time I can go to Paris get one...luckily they do have locations all over the world.

However there's something special about eating a macaroon under the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, or in the Tuileries Gardens outside the Louvre. Part of what makes Ladurée a comida vibe is it's beautiful location in one of my favorite cities in the world.

Le Petite Gourmand

My sister and I stumbled upon Le Petite Gourmand by the Eiffel Tower. We wanted to grab some good pastries for a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. I used my maps to find a bakery near by, so we could plop down on the grass and enjoy the lovely day.

I simply don't think you can go wrong with any bakery you find in Paris, because even though we had no idea what Le Petite Gourmand would have it turned out to be exactly what we wanted. Everything we got was amazing, sharing a raspberry tart, baguette and éclair.

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I could go on and on describing how amazing these bakeries are, with their buttery, flaky croissant, fresh raspberries and gooey chocolate, but you'll have to visit them yourself. Paris is a magnificent city, that has so much to offer from cuisine, art and culture. Be sure to add Paris to your bucket list, you won't regret it! Also, don't forget to share your comida vibes with me when you do go :)

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Sources

Our Chains & Commitments. Le Grenier à Pain. (2020, March 4). Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://legrenierapain.com/our-chains-commitments