Bakeries in Paris & Bread Related French Vocabulary
Have you sampled some cheap baguettes in Paris yet? In Paris where the official “pain” is definitely the Baguette, this iconic bread is part of most Parisians’ daily routine. When it comes to delicious, freshly baked bread, there is a wide range of other types of baguettes including slow-rise, gluten-free. Not to mention the plethora of different types of Baguettes!
You may be used to just asking in French for “une baguette” simply because it is the only one sort of bread that you know in France. In today’s blog, I will share with you useful French vocabulary and expressions related to the boulangerie (bakery). Also, at the same time, I’ll share with you the 4 best Boulangerie in Paris.
Let's begin with the most useful expressions that you might hear in a boulangerie
“Combien?”: how many
“Et avec ceci?”: is that all?
“Vous désirez autre chose?”: would you like something else?
“Est-ce que vous auriez de la monnaie?”: would you have change?
“Vous préférez le pain tranché?”: would you like the bread sliced?
“Baguette”: baguette
“Préparer cuire”: bake
“Une boulanger / boulangerie”: Baker
“Une boulangerie”: Bakery
Useful expressions when paying
“Combien ça coute = quel est le prix?”: how much does it cost?
“Est-ce que je peux payer avec la carte bancaire?”: can I pay with a credit card?
“Vous acceptez le sans-contact?”: do you take contactless?
“Désolée, je n’ai pas de monnaie”: sorry, I have no change
“J’ai seulement un billet”: I only have a note
Check out the top 4 recommended Boulangeries:
1/Boulangerie Brun
Sami Bouattour of Boulangerie Brun n the 11th arrondissement spent a large part of his career in the restaurant business. He only recently transferred to the Boulangerie business and quickly became voted the best in the business. The voting process is serious business in France, where each year a jury of professionals determine who will be voted "Le Meilleur Baguette de Paris" (the best baguette in Paris). 'Paris by Mouth' (a terrific blog) put together a comprehensive map of the best of the best here
2/Poîlane
Order a freshly baked "miches" at this world-renowned bakery and you won’t be disappointed. Made with stone ground flour and fresh sea salt from Brittany, these are the best sourdough loaves by far! Located in the 6th arrondissement here is the link for details.
3/ Le Grenier à Pain
Winner of the 2015 “Best Baguette in Paris” this is a highly prized boulangerie in the 18th Arrondissement, Le Grenier à Pain won the coveted commendation in 2010, and is also the official baguette supplier to the French president. Located in the 18th arrondissement the bakery is in good company, with Montmartre area bakeries winning the commendation five times in the past ten years.More info on this link
4/ Boulangerie Chambelland
While this place doesn’t promote it, bakery specializes in gluten-free baked goods. The tartes, bread, and delicious chouquettes, and they really do taste like the real thing! Boulangerie Chambelland uses rice flour made in southern France using a speciality flour called “riz de Camargue”. The bakery is quite charming and offers exceptional pastries too Located in the 11th arrondissement more information here.
Simple essential terms on types of bread and ingredients:
“Pain”: bread
“Une miette, une mie”: crumb
“L’a croute”: crust
“Croustillant” (e): crusty
“Une pâte”: dough
“Pain de campagne”: farmhouse bread
“La farine”: flour
“Un pain aux noix “: nut bread
“un pain de seigle”: rye bread
“un pain de mie “: sandwich bread
“une tranche”: a slice
“tranche”: sliced
“Un pain au levain”: sourdough bread
“Un pain à l’épautre”: spelt bread
“Un pain blanc”: white bread
“Pain complet”: wholemeal or whole-wheat bread
“la levure”: yeast
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