Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Boulangerie - Au Levain du Marais


On one of the "pâtisserie hunt" days we decided to look for the best croissants in Paris. 
No, not at Pierre Hermé, but here on Boulevard Beaumarchais, near Place de la Bastille. 

The authentic croissant au beurre is a rare treat and tastes nothing like those made with margerine and bought in a grocery.  Marie and I popped in here and took out two wrapped in waxed paper, still warm.

We ate them on the street in front of Au Levain du Marais.  I will spare you those photos.
Miam-miam!


Au Levain du Marais
28, Boulevard  Beaumarchais
(at corner of Rue du Pasteur Wagner)
75011, Paris

To see Shell Sherree's lovely art and interpretation of this boulangerie, go here to see!
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53 comments:

  1. Pierre BOYERSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Voici une très belle boulangerie...
    Belle journée,

    Pierre
    http://pierre-boyer.blogspot.com/

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  2. VreniSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    I know this boulangerie (http://verenasparisblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/boulangerie.html)! It´s next to a hotel where I stayed twice! I didn´t try their croissant but had a chausson aux pommes and a pain au chocolat. Miam miam!

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  3. Rob-bearSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Now you're making me hungry.
    Delightful-looking shop. Looks as good as the baking tastes, je pense.

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  4. diveSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    Miam-miam indeed, Genie! There is some amazing food available in the Marais, and not just French. Next time you're there, be sure and try the falafel in L'As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers.

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  5. PetSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    But this is like the best tip one can get on Paris. Thanks a lot. I will keep the address for my next visit, and I'll post it too (my little Parisian promise to you) :-)

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  6. JoeSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    Those tiles along the base of the shop are amazing. True artistry. Can you package up two of those croissant au beurre and send the out this way?

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  7. Shell SherreeSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Gosh, that's gorgeous!! And warm croissants in paper ~ it gets better and better.

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  8. Cezar and LéiaSeptember 27, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    This croissant looks delicious and that facade very beautiful!
    A boulangerie to visit next time in Paris, thanks for the review!
    Léia :)

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  9. s.cSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    Every city must have a shop like this. Or preferable the contents and craftsmanship of the bakery.Nice to show us.

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  10. biebkriebelsSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:31 AM

    It is beautiful from the outside, so lovely decorated, when the inside is also nice it is perfect.

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  11. BirdmanSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    I'm not hunting. I'll take a jelly donut. hahahaha

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  12. brattcatSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    this looks like the place where one would find the best croissants in paris. it, too, looks simply delicious.

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  13. HalcyonSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I've never been a big fan of croissants. I'd rather have a nice warm baguette. :)
    This boulangerie looks gorgeous though. I love all the decoration.

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  14. Louis la VacheSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    «Louis» wishes he had discovered this boulangerie when he lived nearby on rue Saint-Antoine!

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  15. Kirsty @ Bonjour QuiltsSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    I've seen this one too! But didn't go in. So now I'm kicking myself!!

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  16. Janey and Co.September 27, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Such beautiful colorful tile work. Wonder when this store front was decorated?

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  17. PetSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    I'm here again with this American version that I've found on a blog that I follow too. Just posted today too:
    http://hartforddailyphoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/little-something-bakery.html
    America vs. Paris could be the tittle :-)

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  18. French Girl in SeattleSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Hey, je connais cette boulangerie, Genie! My girlfriend lived right next door. I stopped there often on the way to her apartment. Talk about a trip down memory lane. ;-) Merci, Genie. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    I love croissants and you're right, croissants in Paris taste nothing like the ones you buy in the grocery stores or restaurants here.

    Mmmmm, the thought of a warm croissant with some jam and a cafe creme sounds divine to me right now!

    I love the front of that patisserie...It would make for a lovely notecard!

    Kris

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  20. J. Evan KreiderSeptember 27, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    I appreciate your providing addresses for so many postings, but never thanked you. Thanks!

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  21. PerthDailyPhotoSeptember 27, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Oh it's too late Genie, I already have a picture in my head of those buttery croissants wrapped in waxed paper, still warm....what a beautifully painted patisserie that alone would entice you to enter I think.

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  22. Sylvia KSeptember 27, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Oh, yes! I feel just like Perth -- I have a picture in my mind and my mouth is watering! I should have had breakfast before I read this!! What a delightful place, Genie! Wish I was there right now! Hope your week is going well, mon amie!

    Hugs
    Sylvia

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  23. MalyssSeptember 27, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    What an inviting place!

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  24. Paris PaulSeptember 27, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I love it! You may it look so good, I'm going to have to go an look for it next time I'm near the Bastille. Thanks, Genie!

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  25. StarmanSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    I don't think I've ever had a croissant made with margarine. Wouldn't that be like cussing in church?

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  26. Vær våkenSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Sigh!! What a beautiful store! I want to go there right now!

    xo

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  27. Fábio MartinsSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Uhhh. Croissants. I love it :-D
    Nice entry

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  28. AlexaSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    If it's made with margarine, it's not a real croissant! :~}
    Wow, what a fabulous place. If I ever have a storefront business, I'm stealing this whole look for sure.

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  29. UnknownSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    What a great looking building Genie love the decor

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  30. VPSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    We spent a lot of time around the Marais over the years and I even remember the place, but sadly we never tried the croissants...
    Next time, and thank for the precious tip.

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  31. TheChieftessSeptember 27, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Charming!!!

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  32. LoreeSeptember 27, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    that is the prettiest boulangerie that I have ever seen.

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  33. MurissaSeptember 27, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    The outside of this charming place looks as delicious as the croissants you described!

    The Wanderfull Traveler

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  34. LouiseSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Oh how gorgeous that boulangerie looks. I bet it smells like heaven too.

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  35. jennyfrecklesSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Such a pretty shop. I'll try a pain au chocolat - and don't take a photo of me eating that, either!

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  36. this is BelgiumSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Hey, I am interested in the pictures you are not showing :-)

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  37. JackSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Looking good, Genie. It is a very authentic looking place. Nice to read that their croissants measure up.

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  38. Lynne with an eSeptember 27, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    As soon as I opened your blog page tonight and saw this picture I sighed a silent "ooooooohhhhhhhhhh!" That boulangerie is a work of art! I adore the colours and designs, as well as the lettering. And on top of this, the best croissants? What an excellent find.

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  39. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    What a delightful shop!!! Love the facade, the windows, and if I could just be there on the street, I bet I would love the SMELL.

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  40. Genie -- Paris and BeyondSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    I usually do not eat croissants in Paris since the baguettes are so utterly divine, but these were worth the splurge and melted in your mouth, leaving pastry flakes on your face in abundance! I understand that a Parisian would say you should never eat a croissant unless it is freshly baked and so... we ate it right outside, like a pair of tourists.

    One jelly doughnut for Mr. Bird, coming up!

    Pet, I am a blog friend of Jack's and will pop over and challenge him to a bakery/pâtisserie duel!

    Starman, I think you have that right... cussing in church indeed!

    Jenny, I am a fan of pain au chocolat also as is my daughter Holly.

    I might have taken this pâtisserie/boulangerie as a bit showy and making up for so-so pastries, but the word on the blogs was this was the real thing. The line of locals buzzing in/out was a fine testament to the fare. Well, that and the croissant crumbs all over us!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  41. RandySeptember 28, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    What a charming looking bakery! Love the Turquoise!

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  42. Amanda SummerSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    that boulangerie looks like it was cut out of a bolt of provencal fabric- tres jolie!

    (i envy you your warm croissants ;-)

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  43. PalomaseaSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Genie, what a beautiful place! I will take note for my next trip. (Someday!)
    We are fortunate to have a couple of really fabulous French Patiserries here..authentic. BUT, they would taste so much better la-bas!

    A lovely day to you,
    - Irina

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  44. martinealisonSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Une boulangerie, qui, seulement en admirant ta photo, répand des odeurs délicieuses...
    gros bisous

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  45. Carol Schiff Daily PaintingSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    A marvelous store front. So sorry I missed it on my last trip.

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  46. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Oui, I would have eaten them on the spot aussi.
    Sam

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  47. Kirsten SteenSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Ok, now must find THIS place!
    K.

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  48. MSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Right now I would love a little flake of that croissant --- miam, miam indeed!!!'

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  49. JulieSeptember 29, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    *grin*

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  50. ErikaSeptember 29, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Elle est belle cette boulangerie!Et ses croissants doivent etre vraiment très bons. Moi, je suis très gourmande.
    Bonne vie!

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  51. JamesSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    The look and I'm sure the smell draws in lots of people. I'd be one of them for sure!

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  52. Cafe PasadenaOctober 1, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Wunderful header foto!
    Btw, did you find the best macarons in France?

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  53. lapommeduvergerOctober 1, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Oh the smell of fresh butter-croissants!!

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Merci for your comments!