Gontran Cherrier is without a doubt the coolest baker in Paris, making bread more than just an accompaniment with his innovative flavours.
Gontran is a familiar celebrity chef in France and has written a number of cookbooks. His hip eponymous boulangerie on the cusp of Montmartre, 18th arrondissement, attracts a regular bobo crowd and baking fans from around the world.
Born into a family of bakers, Gontran continued the trade and studied pastry-making at L’Ecole Ferrandi followed by L’Ecole de Boulangerie et de Pâtisserie de Paris. But it was working with Alain Passard at L’Arpège and Lucas Carton at Alain Senderens that he discovered a more creative approach to food.
After travelling the world over, seeking inspiration from the everyday baked goods in various countries, Gontan came back to Paris to set up his debut boulangerie.
The bakery selection includes French classics and the more unusual gourmet sandwiches with brightly coloured buns made with natural colourants – green rocket, red paprika and black squid ink.
Other delectable choices include savoury tartes fines, bagels, buttery croissants, red berry tarts and slightly healthier natural yogurt with fruit compote.
The bakery is petite but you can sit on a stool at the window bar and read the newspapers or flick through one of Gontran’s cookbooks, over coffee and a pastry (they even provide carafes of fresh mint water).
We stopped by for a quick snack and both ordered a gruyère and lardons cheese bread for just €1. The bread was springy, moist, fresh and full of flavour. It was surprisingly substantial and makes for a cheap lunch on the go, or a late-afternoon casse-croûte.
For more info and opening hours, visit: www.gontrancherrierboulanger.com
If you love Paris boulangeries and patisseries, be sure to add Babka Zana, Sebastien Gaudard Pâtisserie and Angelina to your list.