France is renowned the world over for its gastronomy, which varies according to region and season. From Michelin-starred cuisine to regional products, from wines and spirits to patisserie, France has been able to shine thanks to its famous personalities.
At the heart of this richly diverse country lies Paris, the capital. Nicknamed the city of love, fashion and the famous cliché of the red beret and the baguette, Paris is also the centre of bakeries, viennoiseries, biscuits, pastries and other delicacies that are part of France’s heritage.
Many pastry chefs come to Paris with dreams and innovations, but few match the renown of the most famous. Among them are Cédric Grolet, Pierre Hermé, Yann Couvreur, Philippe Conticini and Cyril Lignac, all of whom have dominated the sector for several years and are now opening up to national and international markets.
Cédric Grolet
Very popular on social networks and admired by the younger generation, Cédric Grolet has been passionate about pastry-making from an early age. After a remarkable career, he joined the team at Le Meurice in 2011, where he met chef Alain Ducasse, marking a turning point in his career. Winner of numerous awards, he now has three shops in Paris:
- La pâtisserie du Meurice: 6 rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris
- La pâtisserie d’Opéra: 35 avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
- Le café: 6 rue Danielle Casanova, 75002 Paris
Pierre Hermé
Born into a family of Alsatian pastry chefs, Pierre Hermé began his career at the age of 14, working with such famous names as Lenôtre, Fauchon and Ladurée. In 1998, he opened his first boutique in Tokyo, followed by one in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 2001. Today, he has dozens of shops in Paris.
Yann Couvreur
Yann Couvreur has made a name for himself thanks to his innovative use of materials, using savoury cooking techniques for sweet dishes, producing astonishing results. His patisserie work has won him a number of awards, and he has opened several boutiques in Paris and beyond.
Philippe Conticini
A leading figure in French gastronomy, Philippe Conticini excels in both sweet and savoury dishes. After a career in Michelin-starred kitchens, he turned to pastry-making. He opened his first patisserie in Japan in 2017 before moving to Paris.
Cyril Lignac
Known to the general public thanks to the TV show ‘Le Meilleur Pâtissier’ on M6, Cyril Lignac is also the author of popular recipe books and the owner of several patisseries and chocolate shops in Paris and beyond. He is as much a public figure as a great chef of our time.
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