Buying bread from a local boulangerie is one of the highlights of any French vacation. There's nothing quite like the crunch of the crust as you break a freshly baked baguette or the flake of a featherweight pastry as you bite into a warm croissant. It is a sensory, indulgent, almost sensual experience, and it is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culinary culture of your destination.
While visiting a French bakery or restaurant, don't forget the unspoken rules for dining like a local in France. French bread and pastries are world-famous, and chances are you'll find a great boulangerie wherever you go in France. However, not all French bakeries are created equal, and some are worth making a little extra effort to seek out.
This iconic institution has been providing delicious loaves, baguettes, and pastries to the city's inhabitants for over years, and some of their recipes haven't changed since the 18th century. You can feel the history as soon as you walk in, from the bare stone walls creating an almost cave-like ambiance to the raw heat pouring out of the rustic wooden oven at the back of the shop. The staff uses traditional methods to make the vast majority of the bread and pastries, including the signature creation, the pain Gascon.
It is still baked using the original recipe from the small town of Moissa. In the 18th century, there were no preservatives and fewer options for storage, so bread was made to stay fresher for longer, with a thicker crust designed to keep moisture in. From pain au chocolat and cream-filled pastries to brioche and walnut bread, the business excels at every type of bread and patisserie imaginable.
With a small coffee machine by the counter, it is the perfect spot for a quick breakfast, while the cheese-covered tartines loaded with smoked ham make a wonderfully filling option for lunch on the go. The owners only speak a little English, so you should check out the five phrases Rick Steves says tourists must know before a trip to France.
