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!

53 comments:

Pierre BOYER said...

Voici une très belle boulangerie...
Belle journée,

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

Vreni said...

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!

Rob-bear said...

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

dive said...

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.

Pet said...

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) :-)

Joe said...

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?

Shell Sherree said...

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

Cezar and Léia said...

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

s.c said...

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

biebkriebels said...

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

Birdman said...

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

brattcat said...

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

Halcyon said...

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.

Louis la Vache said...

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

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

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

Janey and Co. said...

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

Pet said...

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 :-)

French Girl in Seattle said...

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)

Anonymous said...

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

J. Evan Kreider said...

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

PerthDailyPhoto said...

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.

Sylvia K said...

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

Malyss said...

What an inviting place!

Paris Paul said...

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!

Starman said...

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

Vær våken said...

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

xo

Fábio Martins said...

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

Alexa said...

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.

Unknown said...

What a great looking building Genie love the decor

VP said...

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.

TheChieftess said...

Charming!!!

Loree said...

that is the prettiest boulangerie that I have ever seen.

Murissa said...

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

The Wanderfull Traveler

Louise said...

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

jennyfreckles said...

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

this is Belgium said...

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

Jack said...

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

Lynne with an e said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

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

Randy said...

What a charming looking bakery! Love the Turquoise!

Amanda Summer said...

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

(i envy you your warm croissants ;-)

Palomasea said...

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

martinealison said...

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

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

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

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

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

Kirsten Steen said...

Ok, now must find THIS place!
K.

M said...

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

Julie said...

*grin*

Erika said...

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

James said...

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

Cafe Pasadena said...

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

lapommeduverger said...

Oh the smell of fresh butter-croissants!!