Les Bonne Boulangeries

Chausson au pomme may be one of my 25 TOP viennoiseries/pastires to munch on in Paris...

I had my 1st chausson from Du Pain et des Idees yesterday (eaten dans le rue ahem).

Normalment a chausson is full of apple compote so you can feel slightly less guilty eating it. But Du Pains has a whole slice of apple baked inside with the skin left on! Quelle surprise and trés delish. This is a chausson au pomme not to be missed.

Trish Deseine is a big fan of DPEDI and includes them in her top 5 cake stops in Paris.

She also raves about the antique interior decor.

Me, I'm nuts for their FAB vintage tin collection in the windows

Yum

David Lebovitz' Paris Pastry lists DPEDI in his best Paris TOP 25. Plus you don't need internet to access most of his info. I found out wandering on rue Yves Toudic last Sunday hoping to buy a croissant etc. I also found out Du Pain is closed on Saturdays and Sundays Thanks to David's app.

It was dear Judy and spouse who told me there was a terrific boulangerie around the corner from their hotel at Republique when I delivered their anniversary in Paris portrait.

I hit on boulangerie Aux Peches Normands also on rue Yves Toudic yesterday.

They even have a tiny cafe in the back for your petit Dejeuner.

Along with all the usual suspects they have many Normande specialties

These criss-cross apple tartes were all over Rouen when I visited in September.

Both of these delightful boulangerie are on either end of rue Yves Toudic. Clever Agnes B. has two old fashioned bakers posted outside their shop as a clue to keep walking. You will be rewarded. At least that's what I think...

I was pleased as punch to see David lists Au 140 on my home turf in his Top 25.

I go here all the time and there is ALWAYS a line.

They have won best baguette and best croissant so no wonder...

They always have the latest seasonal fruit in a tarte planted in the window. This is why the Paris boulangerie must not be missed. Patisseries are for elaborate gateaux. But for your basic seasonal fruit tarte head to any boulangerie SVP.

My chausson au pomme was terrific but now I'm mad for the baked apple slice at Du Pain. By the way Trish Deseine likes Au 140 too. Almost all  boulangeries have illustrations of bakers and croissants on their bags which I find endearing and highly collectable even when besmirched with butter stains...

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Ciel Bleu

From Danny Gregory's An Illustrated Journey
Ciel bleu/blue skies, swallows, putti...that's what you'll find when you look up in some old-fashioned boulangers in Paris. I went out to hunt a few down today but there are many more to discover.

First stop in the 7th arrondissement at le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur, 14 Avenue Villars, 75007 Metro - Saint Francois-Xavier

This place is buzzing. The environment could not be more delightful. But the pastries are as beautiful as the decor.

I got a sable praline cookie perfectly matching the peppy pink walls but tasting heavenly...

Next hop onto the #80 bus up to Montmartre to Boulanger Lional Cailles. The sign is tiny. You could so easily miss it but not the facade.

And the interior is one of the best with butterflies, be-ribboned croissants, floral tiles in cornflower blue.

The prices are old fashioned too which is awfully nice.

And very pretty.

The hunt continues in the 10th at the highly regarded Les Ideas et des Pain14, rue Yves Tudic 75010 Metro: Jacques Bonsergent

The pretty sky ceil is in heavy competition with the perfect pastries and breads, neck and neck. One doesn't know which way to look.

The twirly pistache - chocolate swirls are much loved, But I just got a savory walnut pavé with chèvre and tomatoes seché inside.

The perfect place to complete your hunt for boulangerie blue skies is the 18th century-styled Hotel Caron de Beaumarchaise in the Marais.

Isn't this heavenly?

Speaking of roofs over one's head, I must begin hunting for my next roof for September 1. I need to find another small studio anywhere in Paris. If you've heard of any available studios coming up do let me know dear PBers,

Bonne Soiree PBers!

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Combien?

 Prices are always clearly posted in Paris/France merci dieu.

 I think it's the law. Particularly when it comes to bread/pain the government sets the prices/prix and they MUST be posted in the window/vitrine no less. Ha! Try and find this in the US anywhere. So many places don't post prices. It's a snob thing here...

 Even the fanciest places like patisserie Christian Constant post their prices loud and clear. It does make the decision process easier don't you think?

 Lunch blackboards/ardoises in the street are a great aide...

 If you see the word 'formule' in a lunchtime menu - that's the best thing to order. The best deal for what was bought fresh from the market that day. Everyone around you (if they're French) will be eating it. It makes sense and cents.

 At the creperie there are so many prices you could go nuts. As a rule when I'm abroad I think of 10 euros or pounds like $10. It's the standard everywhere and easier than checking dollars on your calculator. Forgetaboutit.

 I adore French signs...

 Some of them are quite artful and personal like at the market/marche...

 Here the flowers are nicer than the signs or porte-etiquettes...

 High-end Pain du Sucre tells you how much that verrine is going to hurt yr purse...

 The variety of price signs fascinates me endlessly..I could look and look

 Here the price sign is popped right in the middle of the tarte! Does it come with the tarte too?

I wouldn't mind being this woman in Montmartre for a day putting up price signs. Maybe then I'd get this obsession out of my system...

BONJOUR LE PRIX!

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