Is there a Field Guide to French Pastries?

June 23, 2007 12:54 PM

I want to try every French pastry, over time, and be systematic about it. Walking into a big patisserie, we’re overwhelmed by choice, so before our next trip to France, I’d like to make up a life list. But I haven’t been able to find a complete list of pastries on the web nor in cookbooks. What resources am I overlooking? Let me know your own favorites, including regional specialties. Also, if you know any outstanding patisseries/boulangeries in Normandy or the Loire Valley, please share. My sweet tooth thanks you.
posted by sevenstars to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

My favorites in France are:
-Opera (square, multilayered chocolate cakes)
-Religeuse (double-layer creme puffs coated with chocolate or moca. Don't know the origin of the name -- perhaps it's because the shape resembles a religious figure.)
-Paris Brest -- a donut-shaped cake filled with ganache that recalls the shape of the famous velodrome.
-Eclairs with a hard, caramel coating on top -- I'm not sure what these are called.

An assortment of the above can be found in nearly every patisserie/boulangerie, along with the citrus and raspberry tarts.

As for tracking down outstanding patisseries, my technique is to pull into a medium-size town, and inspect the one or two shops on the offing.

Many, if not all, are closed between 12:00 and 3:00, so if you're after a pastry for a picnic lunch, shop in advance!
posted by Gordion Knott at 1:24 PM on June 23, 2007

This cookbook might be a great resource for you.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 2:15 PM on June 23, 2007

Also check out the other recommendations from the same page. Should help you start making your comprehensive list of pastries. Have a great trip.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 2:16 PM on June 23, 2007

I'm not sure about pastries but there is a map of French breads.
posted by marylynn at 2:22 PM on June 23, 2007

There is the most delicious patisserie in Paris just near the Musee D'Orsay - walk down the street the entrance is on away from the river and it's on the corner about a block away or so... in that area anyway.

I got a cake with raspberries around the side, with pistachio cream and a cherry on top. the most delicious thing ever.

With pastries, the main ones are croissants, almonde croissants, pain au chocolat, escargot (a spiral pastry with raisins, sometimes called pastry au raisin or something like that) and variations of the above.

Brioche is also a famous sweet bread from france.

The types of cakes varies from place to place though.
posted by jonathanstrange at 2:31 PM on June 23, 2007

oh, and the restaurant was there as of wednesday this week! :)
posted by jonathanstrange at 2:31 PM on June 23, 2007

This Travel and Leisure article largely confirms johnathanstrange's review of the primary pastries. It also helpfully suggests a particular bakery for each specialty.
posted by stuart_s at 5:16 PM on June 23, 2007

Pick up a Larousse Gastronomique. It's not a list, more like a dictionary, but it does have everything- it's a great history compendium.

In Normandy, they do so much with apples, so you are likely to find a great galette aux pommes. If you drink, (slightly off topic) please try the Calvados.

Religious orders (esp. Trappist/Benedictine) are also a great source of baked goods.

My favorites? Tarte au citron (lemon tart), croissant aux amandes (almond croissant) and noisette (basically a cake with coffee buttercream and ground hazelnuts-although there are various versions).
posted by solongxenon at 5:38 PM on June 23, 2007

oh my word how i love a good canelé.
posted by Marquis at 6:37 PM on June 23, 2007

Paris by Pastry has a list of every type of pastry compiled into a travel guide with recipes.
posted by Kensational at 2:46 PM on June 24, 2007

FYI a religieuse also means 'nun' - it looks more or less like a dumpy nun in a habit. And the pastry is delicious.
posted by plinth at 5:36 PM on June 24, 2007