Boulangerie Petit Jean has everything to please lovers of good bread and good pastries. At the time of industrialization where bakeries are more into selling ready-made frozen products cooked with a mix of ready to use flours and full of enhancers and preservatives, it feels so good to discover people making their best to preserve the tradition of quality yeast breads and artisanal pastries.
Head to this pretty pastry shop and bakery which opened a few weeks ago in Paris 12th arrondissement. The incongruous décor thought up by an architect manages to seduce us. White walls, raw wood, black furniture and lovely lamps create a welcoming setting.
At the far end of the bakery, we find various breads baked by Papa who has been in the trade for 25 years. Traditional bread, bread with cereals, rye bread or with chestnut, walnuts or figs. Breads are baked with natural yeast and organic flours. Everything is homemade and enhancers-free.
Viennoiseries are also Papa’s work. We must say that everything is incredible but the Brioche Petit Jean wins everything. This vanilla-flavored brioche looks like the famous pain aux raisins (a viennoiserie with raisins and pastry cream) but the meringue substitutes pastry cream and hazelnuts substitute raisins.
Have you heard of pastéis de nata? You know, these small treats coming from Portugal that sell like hot cakes in Belém and looking like egg tarts? Rush to Petit Jean to taste them and you will love it for sure! Smooth and rich in flavors, they know the way to your heart. Between us, the recipe comes from mum who tried thirty times before finding THE perfect recipe. Nevertheless, do not come too late in the day, because they sell like hot cakes.
In terms of pastries, 2 pastry chefs wake up at dawn to treat you every day. Among the specialties, you will have the éclairs, the cream puffs and the beautiful seasonal fruit pies. These latter are cooked with fresh ingredients bought the very same day at the market or in Rungis (the best large wholesale food market serving the Paris metropolitan area and beyond). We have been told, the pies do not help making benefits because of how expensive fresh ingredients are, but people love them so, they love making people happy.
In short, everything is good, everything is fresh and everything is homemade. What else could we ask for?
Practical information:
Boulangerie Petit Jean
100 rue Claude Decean, 75012 Paris
just a few meters from Daumesnil metro station (lines 6 and 8)
Open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
From 6:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays (and on market days)
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Boulangerie Petit Jean in Paris
100 Rue Claude Decaen
75012 Paris 12
Recommended age
For all
