Ah, Paris is sweet on the eye, sweet on the romance and sweet on the palette. It is a sugar lovers dream. The only problem you’ll have when it comes to delectable French desserts is choosing which one you’ll sample first!
To help you navigate the assortment of sweet treats, we’ve broken down our Top 10 Desserts your simply must try on your visit to France. And, if you have to eat more than one a day to sample them all?
Well, c’est la vie!
1. The Tartes Aux Fruits
The tartes aux fruits ( fruit tarts) are prepared with fresh fruit inside a buttery pastry. The fruit sits atop a heavenly Chantilly cream. You can enjoy these tarts in both miniature and full pie sizes.
2. The Éclair
Personally one of my favorites! The éclair is a popular dessert in Paris. The long French choux pastry can be filled with either a rich custard or pastry cream, and topped with a sweet fondant. By definition, the term éclair means lightning in French.
3. The Paris Brest
This pastry was created to celebrate the Paris to Brest bicycle ride in 1910 by Louis Durand. Naturally, the dessert is circular in shape and contains praline-flavored crème and yummy choux pastry.
4. Macaron
Macarons are undeniably delectable and there are so many flavors to choose from. The base ingredients include an airy meringue and almonds. Be sure to not confuse with coconut macaroons, in which the English added the “oon” to the word in the 16th century.
5. The Tarte Au Citron
Tarte Au Citron (also known as the lemon tart) is also very popular. It has a pastry crust and delicious lemon filling. The filling, however, is not made with fruit. The cream is a mixture containing lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs and sugar.
6. The Mille Feuille
This fluffy treat comes in a vanilla or custard slice and is comprised of several layers of puff pastry. Between the puff pastry lies an additional two layers of pastry crème.
Another name for the Mille Feuille is the Napoleon.
7. The Tarte Tatin
Named after the hotel that serves the dessert (Hotel Tatin), the Tarte Tatin is a unique upside-down pastry.
Its ingredients include caramelized fruit prepared with sugar and butter. It pairs famously with a bit of tart crème fraiche.
8. The Choux à La Crème
These cream puffs are created using puff pastry as well. They swell while cooking and are actually hollow. The oozing center can be either whipped cream or custard. Interestingly enough, once you add chocolate as your topping, it then becomes a profiterole. There are various different toppings you can add to this pastry, from ice cream to fruit and even spun caramel.
9. Croissant
This buttery flaky wonder is a signature French pastry. There are so many ways to top it; you can use fruit, chocolate, fondant or a compote of your choosing. You will not be disappointed.
10. The Petits Four
Translated, “petit four” means small oven, and are also known as mignardises. They are miniature, bite-sized confections that can also be savory if you choose. The sweet route includes a sugary glaze atop a crispy biscuit. These pastries are perfect for tea parties.
Would you consider yourself a lover of sweet treats? If so, Paris is one destination you need to visit. Clearly, you cannot miss out on the treats I mentioned above. Need help planning a trip to Paris? I have access to private cooking classes, tours to special restaurants and VIP dining experiences for the inner “foody” in you! Contact me for more specific details about a trip to Paris. I’d love to help!
