The Parisians are known for their elegance and slim silhouette;  they adore their culture, their fashion and their events.  Surprisingly  enough, they  also take their patisserie extremely seriously.
Last week, I stopped at La Patisserie des RĂªves to buy a small treat for a friend.  While waiting to be served, I couldn’t help but hear a conversation behind me.  Two very chic ladies were discussing the best place to buy a tarte au citron,  or lemon tart.
“I will always buy my lemon tart from HermĂ© said one, it is not oversweet, not too big, and it always looks so pretty on our plates”
Her friend raised an eyebrow, and looked askance:  “Chez HermĂ©?!  But ma chĂ©rie, ce n’est pas possible! haven’t you tasted the lemon tart chez Hugo and Victor, it is part of their new collection, and really I have never tasted anything so good!”
The first lady looked mortified, as if not being up on the latest patisserie collections were a  huge social faux-pas and  I realized that part of being a chic parisian is not only wearng the right shoes, being impeccably dressed and knowing all the right people … it is also knowing the most chic cakes!
As if life weren’t complicated enough already!
17 comments
Sharon, if I were to live in Paris, that would be part of the fun, finding the best places for everything, including lemon tarts!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Wow….no one does dessert like the French. One of the few reasons I am actually glad I don’t live there afterall, I would be 300 lbs!
Perhaps I could come to Paris and become a professional quality control taster for patisseries. Do you know of any vacancies?! I am sure I would excel
Would you need a PA or assistant taster? I am available! Haha
That is why people love us in France.
Now, see? The Californian in me would have immediately suggested a side by side comparision.
Love those couture cakes, so beautifully photographed
Karen
Those pastries look incredibly drool worthy without a doubt. Oh my, if I lived there, I’d be a waddling roly poly! X
You made me laugh. I am always in search of the very best lemon anything.
I think I am happy I live in a French village with just one bakery rather than Paris! One less thing to worry about, there is only the choice of what he has on offer each day!!!
I agree with you.Life is compl;icated enough .One good bakery in the village should take care of most of the sweets needs!
comparison is the only result + I agree with Jennifer that is my ca. heritage. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Most amusing! Let them eat cake!
This is also why we love Paris. Everything is so beautiful-a feast for the senses, especially the patisseries. My mouth waters just thinking about it!
Adorable….and how I wish that was my worry of the day đŸ™‚
That is adorable………..to actually be so concerned about such things. Keeping up to date on the perfectionists, perfecting perfection. French culture regarding some things is truely unique.
The problem is when the French travel outside France they expect the restaurants and other food outlets to be of the same caliber. I’ve met many disgruntled French tourists who complain about the lack of good food outside of France. Even backpackers get homesick when they can’t find a decent baguette and they stare disapprovingly when a salad is not prepared and presented in the French way. The French way is of course the correct way and any other way is incorrect. For me it is amusing and somewhat annoying. I am grateful though for the influence French cuisine has had on the restaurant scene in Australia and the way we now expect a restaurant meal to be more than edible.
Debbie
Can you tell me what the green floral dishes would cost? The last two pictures on the right-I’m sure I could not afford them but I could hope?