I am now on a much-needed cleanse after an indulgent tour of the best patisseries Paris has to offer.

We are really spoilt for choice in Paris. Even the local corner patisserie has exceptionally high standards. I also love to visit the restaurants found in the lobbies of the top hotels to order some of their outstanding creations, although this tends to be a lot more expensive than a take-away petit gateaux or pastry.

I’d like to share with you some of my favourites here, in no particular order. 

Cedric Grolet at Le Meurice Hotel
228 Rue de Rivoli

Cedric has won my heart and my tastebuds with his hazelnut petit gateaux available in the lobby restaurant of the hotel. This particular treat boasts layers of chocolate, hazelnut, caramel and croustillant. My second choice would be his almond éclair; a perfectly smooth and delicious almond cream topped with glaze and flaked almonds. Cedric is a magician with all things sugar and you won’t be disappointed with anything from his menu.

Benoit Castel at Liberte Patisserie
39 Rue des Vinaigriers

This was my first visit to Liberte and I was impressed with its semi-industrial charm. The products are simple favourites that don’t disappoint. I tried the tarte tatin and caramel choux – I can’t choose which one was best, so my recommendation would be to try them both! The bread is also incredible and not to
be overlooked.

Jacques Genin
133 Rue de Turenne

If caramels, chocolates and fruit jellies are your thing, I can highly recommend this store. It also has delectable éclairs and mille feuille. The mint ganache enrobed in dark chocolate is the most popular, but I also tried most of the caramel range and loved them all.

Claire Damon at Des Gateaux et Du Pain
63 Boulevard Pasteur

This modern and sleek patisserie offers a combination of tarts, petit gateaux, bread and pastries. My recommendation is the caramel and mango saint honoré, a modern interpretation of saint honoré that is delicious.

Julien Alvarez at The Peninsula Hotel
19 Avenue Kléber

One of the world’s most talented pastry chefs, Julien Alvarez, is tucked away in a pastry kitchen at the Peninsula developing spectacular creations for the restaurants and lobby. I was fortunate enough to devour his caramel religieuse in the lobby restaurant; two choux puffs filled with crunchy and smooth textures of caramel. Just as it was served it was covered with
a hot chocolate sauce – one of the loveliest products I have
ever tasted!

Sebastien Gaudard at Salon de Thé Patisserie Des Tuileries
1 Rue des Martyrs

Sebastien’s style is classic French. Following in the footsteps of his pastry chef father, Sebastien has embraced his heritage with a full range of delicious pastries, petit gateaux and teacakes. My favourite is his pistachio and cherry petit gateaux; it has a traditional finish but tastes beautiful. You can go upstairs and enjoy a full tea service while eating your pastries.

Christophe Adam at Éclair de Genie
14 Rue Pavée

The éclair genius, Christophe Adam, has captured a unique market with his innovative and perfectly executed éclairs. Christophe regularly changes the styles and flavours of his éclairs to keep up with current trends. It’s hard to choose from the array of flavours and colourful finishes but in the end I chose a vanilla éclair and a salted caramel éclair; both had amazing textures and flavours.

Galeries Lafayette Gourmet
40 Boulevard Haussmann

If you are short on time in Paris you can visit Galeries
Lafayette, which has an upscale food court hosting many of my favourite patisseries, including Éclair de Genie, Liberte Patisserie, Alain Ducasse Chocolat, Dalloyau Patisserie and Sadaharu Aoki Patisseries.

For the ultimate Parisian food tour, I highly recommend Ute in Paris. Ute does food tours of Paris and she can get you in behind closed doors of kitchens that you’ve only ever dreamed of. There are so many amazing patisseries and chocolate shops in Paris, but apart from the fact I just didn’t have the time to fit in them all in, I would have come back a diabetic if I ate many more pastries and cakes! Nonetheless, I highly encourage all pastry lovers to venture out and sample the endless selection of mouth-watering delicacies
this wonderful city has to offer.