Sweeten Your Day with These 10 Delicious French Pastries

Indulging in delicious desserts is one of the many pleasures of traveling, and nowhere is this more true than in Paris. The City of Light is known for its rich culinary traditions, and its pastry shops and cafes are some of the best in the world. From classic French pastries to savory chocolates, Paris has something to satisfy every sweet tooth. In this post, we'll take a closer look at 10 must-try sweets when visiting Paris, including iconic treats like the Tarte Aux Fruits, Éclair, and the Choux à La Crème.

Whether you've got a sweet tooth or you just love to explore new flavors, these desserts are sure to make your trip to Paris even sweeter. So, let's dive in! Here are 10 French treats that will sweeten your day!

1. Tartes Aux Fruits

Tarte Aux Fruits is a classic French dessert made with fresh seasonal fruit in a buttery pastry shell, topped with a layer of Chantilly cream. These tarts are available in miniature and pie sizes and can be found in almost every bakery in Paris.

With a perfect balance of flavors and textures, the buttery pastry, fresh fruit, and fluffy cream create a delightful treat for fruit dessert lovers.

2. Éclair

Éclair is a classic French pastry that is filled with either a rich custard or pastry cream and topped with a sweet fondant.

The term Éclair means lightning in French, perhaps due to its long shape that resembles a bolt of lightning.

3. Macaron

Macarons are undoubtedly one of the most popular French desserts that come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, raspberry, and pistachio. The base ingredients for macarons are simple: meringue and almonds.

Macarons are not to be confused with coconut macaroons, which have their roots in England and were named with an added "-oon" in the 16th century.

4. Tarte Au Citron

Tarte au citron, also known as lemon tart, is another popular French dessert that consists of a pastry crust and a delicious creamy filling made with lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, and sugar.

If you're a fan of tangy desserts, be sure to try the tarte au citron when visiting Paris!

5. Mille-Feuille

The mille-feuille, also known as Napoleon, consists of layers of puff pastry and pastry cream. This fluffy French dessert is available in both vanilla and custard flavors.

6. Tarte Tatin

The Tarte Tatin is a unique upside-down pastry that has become a classic in Paris. It features caramelized fruit cooked with sugar and butter that tastes amazing with some tangy crème fraîche.

The Tarte Tatin was named after Hotel Tatin, which was the first hotel that served it.

7. Choux à La Crème

Choux à La Crème are puff pastries that swell while cooking and become hollow. They are filled with whipped cream or custard, which gives them a creamy center.

When topped with chocolate, they are known as profiteroles.

8. Croissant

The croissant is a signature French pastry that's buttery and flaky. It’s a must-try French treat that can be topped with a variety of flavors like fruit, chocolate, fondant, or compote.

9. Petits Fours

Petits fours are delicate, bite-sized pastries that can come in a variety of flavors, including fruit, chocolate, and almond. They are perfect for serving at elegant parties or as a sweet ending to a gourmet meal.

10. Paris Brest

The Paris Brest is a pastry that is formed into a ring shape, sliced in half, and filled with a rich and creamy praline-flavored cream. It is then topped with powdered sugar and slivered almonds for an extra crunch.

It was created to celebrate the Paris to Brest bicycle ride in 1891.

Indulge in French Pastry Heaven

French pastries are some of the most favored desserts in the world. From the buttery croissant to the delicate macaron, these treats showcase the artistry and craftsmanship of French pastry chefs. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee, a sweet ending to a gourmet meal, or simply enjoyed on their own, French pastries are a true treat for the senses.

So, are you ready to indulge in some of the most delicious desserts in the world?

Contact me for more information so you can enjoy the many sweets of Paris!