La Pâtisserie des Rêves was high on my list of ‘sugar highs in Paris’, but it was serendipity, in the form of a chance spotting of Louis Garrel near Les Invalides that made me dizzily lose my bearings and end up on the rue du Bac.
True to its name, Philippe Conticini’s La Pâtisserie des Rêves really is the pastry shop of dreams, offering over-sized pastries in a stylish boutique that feels like a cross between an art gallery and a pastry laboratory.
The interiors are sleek, futuristic and minimal, making it as far from a traditional French pâtisserie as you can imagine. Cakes are presented like works of art, placed under temperature-controlled glass domes for observation.
Many of the cakes come in single or giant sizes (€10 for a giant brioche) and the staple viennoiseries are stacked on shelves across one wall, ready to be snapped up.
We were tempted by the giant madeleines – a steal at just €2.50. They were dense, golden and buttery with a slightly crispy crust and a hint of orange blossom. They also had a delightful crunchiness from the vanilla pod seeds.
Patisserie des Rêves also has a sister boutique on rue de Longchamp with a salon de thé. If you’re after something to prolong the Patisserie des Rêves experience at home, there is a selection of beautifully packaged and surprisingly well-priced teas, hot chocolate, confectionery and biscuits.
For more info and addresses, visit: www.lapatisseriedesreves.com
For more Paris pastry inspiration, read my reviews of: