The patisserie is an integral part of Paris life, but these days you’re just as likely to order a matcha tea-flavoured millefeuille as a crumbly, buttery croissant. Alongside the traditional salons, a breed of colourful patisseries is paving the way for a modern take on the classic bakery.
Patisserie des Rèves
The newest bakery on the block is getting rave reviews for its reinvention of the classic patisserie. Headed by pastry chef Philippe Conticini, La Pâtisserie des Rêves (the Patisserie of Dreams) in the seventh arrondissement displays 15 types of revisited classic pastries such as brioche, madeleines and tarte tatin under a special temperature-controlled, beehive-shaped bell with a backdrop of acid-bright lights. Thanks to the way they’re displayed, you won’t have to strain to see what pastries are on offer, and can simply circulate around the store in a stylish manner. lapatisseriedesreves.com
Sadaharu Aoki
This patisserie, near Luxembourg Gardens, has a distinctly Japanese flavour to it. Run by Tokyo-born pastry genius Sadaharu Aoki, the Ginza-meets-St-Germain-style fusion has won over the city. The minimalist store has a single glass counter displaying perfect multicoloured delights, such as éclairs flavoured with black sesame. sadaharuaokiparis.com
Pierre Hermé
More reminiscent of a science lab, the king of patisseries’ tiny shop has line upon line of unusual macarons (some are dusted with gold and others are ketchup-flavoured), with queues leading around the block. This is ultramodern, couture-style pastry, with the clean lines of the cakes replicated in the décor around them. pierreherme.com
Pain de Sucre
Just blocks from the Pompidou Centre in the Marais district, Pain de Sucre holds its own amid the café-shop lined streets. The glass jars of bright sweets sing out against the polished wood walls and show the store for what it is — a grown-up sweet shop. Expect white chocolate lollypops studded with candied nuts and hot pink macaroons with a lime green filling. patisseriepaindesucre.com
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