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Du Pain et Des Idees, Paris


If there was ever a place in Paris where I would want to work, for free, it would be at Du Pain et Des Idees, a spectacular bakery in the 10th Arrondissement.  This visually stunning and heavenly smelling boulangerie turns out some delicious viennoisseries, wonderful and hearty breads, and other divine treats that cause my heart to palpitate.


A fashion executive turned baker, Christophe Vasseur, purchased a bakery, which was going bankrupt, but has been in existence since 1889.  Du Pain et Des Idees opened its doors in 2002, and soon became one of the more respectable bakeries in Paris, winning Best Bakery in Paris in 2008.  Vasseur is a true purist, he uses only the finest ingredients, bakes the bread on premises, and according to old traditions slow-ferments the dough.  Sadly, most bakeries, even in a city like Paris, use frozen dough to help with mass productions.



This charming place looks like something from an old French movie; gold-rimmed beveled mirrors, painted glass ceiling, vintage lettering, and antique boxes displayed in the windows.  Entering Du Pain et Des Idees feels like stepping back in time, with only a few modern accents betraying the actual year.





The drool worthy delicacies resting in lined wicker baskets, or on racks, are like little carbohydrate treasures; ones we just need to enjoy without worrying about the consequences.



Their chausson a la pomme (apple turnover) is legendary, and something that people trek long distances for.





The croissants and pain au chocolat are fantastic, light, buttery, and unforgettable.



The baguette here is also terrific (I will write a post on baguettes very soon).


This is their famous bread - pain des amis.  It is a flatbread with a thick crust and a nutty taste.  I enjoyed it with a pat of salted Bordier butter and it ruined me forever - no other bread will ever be as good (except for the one with the big P on it).


This escargot - a snail shaped pastry with delectable pistachio and chocolate baked in between its layers.  While this is truly delicious and beautiful to photograph, my favorite is the raspberry and cream cheese escargot that is available during the raspberry season.





I knew that this pastry would be the end of me as soon as I laid my eyes on it.  My will is too weak to  resist this beautiful, soft, buttery, sweet, and fruity escargot, and I only wish that it would transport well enough to bring home for the family.  I tried it once and arrived in New York with a sad, and moist pastry that did not appeal to anyone, except for me.  I still ate it, gladly.


Plain croissant.



Pain au chocolat.


My simple, but delicious breakfast after a trip to Du Pain et Des Idees, notice the wonderfully yellow farm fresh eggs. 


How devoted am I to Monsieur Vasseur and Du Pain et Des Idees?  I have visited his other bakery - Rituel, in Tokyo, shortly after landing there for a family vacation.


 Everything tasted just like it does in Paris, but the bakery was much less hectic.  


This tangerine tart was so delicious and beautiful, I took it to a nice park for a little photo shoot.


Du Pain et Des Idees
34 rue Yves Toudic
Monday - Friday
6:45-8

Joanna


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