Monday, November 08, 2010

The most charming baker in Paris

Christophe Vasseur confesses: “I’ve always been good with my hands.”

Add this to the fact that he wanted to quit school at the age of 12 to become a baker—who were like magicians to him, “transforming something so simple into something so good and beautiful with their hands.”—and it makes sense that he’s running one of the most esteemed and delicious bakeries in town: Du Pain et des Idées.

Where to begin? With the bread? (Bonne idée!)

There’s the famous pain des amis, a wonderfully slightly nutty flatbread that is now served at Alain Ducasse’s Plaza Athénée restaurant.

Le Rabelais, a dense brioche with saffron, honey and walnuts.

The mini paves, jammed with deliciousness like sundried tomatoes or spinach and goat cheese.

But really, it’s all about the sweets, isn’t it?

Just look at his viennoiseries: millions of layers of crisp and flaky dreaminess.


They take 34 hours to make. Of course they do, he makes his own (divine) pastry dough.


The chausson aux pommes, made with real apples, not minced jam.

And, my favorite, the tendresse aux pommes, a dense brioche flan with raisins and apples and cinnamon.


Greedy me, I am already plotting my return visit so I can get my own hands on more.

8 comments:

Dianne said...

wonderful breads superbe! viennoiseries ~ what more can I say. oh! handsome baker.
~Dianne~

Notes From ABroad said...

I have just realized that if I lived in Paris, I would be obese. But what a lovely way plump up.

cocoa and coconut said...

Firstly, I must agree with the comment above me. The desserts in Paris seem to good to resist!! I think I would have great difficulté..

Secondly, give me some of that brioche?!?!?! OMG YUM MIAM MIAM

Parisbreakfasts said...

One shouldn't mess around with a classic like chausson aux pommes.
It MUST be confit of apple not apple chunks.
That's for tarte tatin.
Je proteste!
:)

Sweet Freak said...

You said it, Dianne!

Candice, it feels good plumping up - just doesn't *look* so good.

Brittany, I promise to have some brioche for you. Promise, promise.

Carol, the apple slices are deliceux, trust me!

Design Elements said...

wow...that flan with raisins and apples and cinnamon!

Fifi Flowers said...

oooh la la your blog is DELICIOUS!!!

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