12 French Sweets You Must Try Before You Die

Today, Elena of Elana’s Travelgram is going to share with us 12 most delicious and amazingly looking pastries you would not resist when visiting France. She describes herself as a 20-something Ukrainian girl who often gets lost in different corners of the world. She is currently living an expat life in France.

Do you know how France actually tastes like? Sweet. It’s a heaven for all the foodies and sweet-toothed. With gorgeous boulangeries and patisseries nearly at every corner you simply can’t miss trying the next sweet delights. Let’s see what top 12 french sweets you simple can’t afford to miss when in France:

#1 Chausson aux pommes.

These small buns made of puff pastry filled with rich-flavored apple mash inside may not look special, yet they taste magnificent! It’s one of the most traditional French baking that was originally made in 1580 at a tiny city of Saint-Calais, Northern France. When the severe epidemic of plague killed nearly 2/3 of the city’s population, it is told that one lady made a huge apple pie that reminded of a slipper (chausson) to feed all the starving who were forced to stay in town and it helped to prevent further spreading of the disease. In 1992 Saint Calais community established La confrérie du Chausson aux Pomme – a brotherhood of bakers and locals who organize a parade and a festive each first Sunday of September with lots of chaussons aux pommes and other traditional dishes made and served to everyone.

сhausson aux pommes

#2 Le Merveilleux.

The name of the desert “Marvel” totally corresponds to its taste. A floating meringue desert filled with floral cream and chocolate or vanilla light cream and generously sprinkled with chocolate feathers or crunchy cookie crumbs. They filling and decorations may differ from Boulangerie to Boulangeries.

LeMerveilleux
Photo credit: Vincci

#3 Saint-Honoré Cake.

Did you know there’s a special saint who patronizes all bakers and pastry chefs? That’s Saint Honorewhom you should thank for each magnificent desert you taste J. This cake’s traditionally made with crème cheboust for filling and whipped cream for decoration. The best thing about this cake are these small balls dipped in caramelized brown sugar and filled with lots of cream.

Saint-Honoré
Photo credit: CityofAnnie

#4 Ice Cream.

Though, it’s Italy who’s well-known for its amazing gelato, the French crème glacée is none the worse! Starting from standard flavors like lemon, strawberry or mango, you can as well taste something as gourmet (or weird) as goat-cheese, pine, rosemary, carrot or even beet. Check out Terre Adelice in Vieux Lyon for best ice cream experience!

ice cream

#5 Patted’ours.

This small bun made of crunchy puff pastry and liquid chocolate filling that is very similar to Nutella and is called bear’s paw for its cute shape.

patte-ours
Photo credit: Yumelise

#6 Mango tart.

An amazing crunchy basket topped with caramelized or jelly covered mango pieces. In Paris, you should definitely grab few at at La Pâtisserie des Rêves.

Mango Tarte
Photo credit: Phreddie

#7 Marie Antoinette desert.

I fell in love with the visual appearance of this one at first and the taste has proven to be even better! It’s made of two meringue macaron calves filled with light vanilla or rose cream, fresh raspberries and a few blueberries on top for decoration.

Marie Antoinette desert
Photo credit: Carl Marletti

#8 Coussin de Lyon.

Lyon’s local sweet specialty. A candy made of greenish marzipan filled with chocolate ganache and a few drops of curacao. For the first time this sweet was made in 1960 by a local chocolatier Mr. Voisin, who was inspired by the shape of a cushion used in the medieval ceremony for caring a 7 pound wax candle and a crown to the Fourvière hill.

Coussin de Lyon
Photo credit: JaHoVil

#9 Paris-Brest.

An amazing cake sandwich filled with thick praline-flavored cream and covered with feather-like peanut slices. It was first made in 1910 as a commemoration of the famous bike race Paris-Brest-Paris held in 1891, round-shaped, so that it resembled a wheel.

#10 Tarte Framboise.

Another totally fantastic treat that is hard to describe in words. Fresh raspberries on a bedding of jelly-like vanilla cream in a crusty basket.

Raspberry tart
Photo credit: Guillaume Angibert

#11 Chouquette.

These are like tiny éclairs, traditionally made of yummy choux pastry without any filling and sprinkled with sugar pearls. Yet some patisseries offer chouquettes with mouse or custard fillings or additionally covered with chocolate.

chouquettes
Photo credit: M.D.

#12 Brioche Praline Rose.

A traditional Brioche is made with lot’s eggs and butter that makes it dough taste so rich. This one’s made special by adding nuts, caramelized in rose syrup. Total yum!

Brioche Praline Rose
Photo credit: M.D.

You can also check out the full list of 23 French pastry you should try before you die written by Elena and follow her adventures on Bloglovin’.

See also  Sri Lanka Budget Travel Guide: $20 a Day or Less

 Which one of these delicious pastries would like like to dig in?

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Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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76 thoughts on “12 French Sweets You Must Try Before You Die”

  1. Avatar of Franca

    When it comes to pastry I cannot resist, no matter if it is sweet or savory I have to have some. I already tried some of these French delicious treats, but there are still some that I must taste.. I’m craving for some mango tart right now :)

  2. Avatar of Sam

    French patisseries are like art galleries, in my opinion. I can’t help but slowing down as I walk past places selling stuff like this, just to admire the handiwork and attention to detail!

  3. Avatar of Katie

    I’m a sucker for desserts – I’ve got a huge sweet tooth! These all seem delicious but Le Merveilleux might be on the top. A little but of chocolate and just screams French dessert to me. A friend is going to Paris in a few weeks so I’ll be sending her this!

    1. Avatar of Agness Walewinder
      Agness Walewinder

      Same here, Katie. I’m the biggest sweet lover on this planet, but I need to watch out my sugar intake :).

  4. Avatar of Emily

    The first time we traveled through France we were poor University students and so the only thing we treated ourselves to were crepes. We’re headed back this summer and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into all the sweet and savoury treats!

  5. Avatar of Kristin W.

    YUM! This just arrived in my inbox – it’s early morning in Manila and I’m so hungry! I need to go find some breakfast :-)

    Thanks for the fantastic, colorful photos and great descriptions!

    Happy, Safe Travels! :-)

  6. Avatar of Rebecca

    they all look pretty dam amazing! I opted for the chocolate eclair when I was there but I would happily taste test them all :)

    1. Avatar of Agness Walewinder
      Agness Walewinder

      I’ve read it too and I loved it so I asked Elena to write the same one for me and she did !! :D Yes, my weakness is sushi, but I love desserts as well.

  7. Avatar of Megan @ Mapping Megan
    Megan @ Mapping Megan

    Just saying – that Le Merveilleux looks absolutely devine!! And now my mouth is watering! Time to get to France!!

  8. Avatar of Shing

    I feel utterly seduced by them all! The appearance of the Marie Antoinette desert is pure beauty, and I imagine that describes the taste too!

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