It’s not just a long, thin bread roll. The baguette is a way of life. And here’s how to choose the best Paris has to offer.
We tend to use the word "baguette" too often and not knowing exactly what it’s supposed to mean. Movies would have us believe that in Paris, everyone walks around with long, unwrapped bread rolls under their arms, the truth is much more complex. While there may be 1,200 bakers in Paris, all of whom produce baguettes, not all of them are of the same quality.
Before getting off on the search for the leavened Graal, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Baguettes de Tradition
First: ask for le baguettes de tradition, which are those that follow the established laws. The bread must be between 55 and 70 centimetres in length and weigh between 240 and 300 grams. The ingredients must be as follows: flour, water, salt and yeast. But that’s not enough to make it a baguette.
Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française
And so here’s the second suggestion: pay attention to the annual Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris, a prize that is awarded after pre-selecting 141 eligible bakers.
This year’s winner was M. Mahmoud M'Seddi from Boulangerie 2M (215, Boulevard Raspail, Paris 14e), whose baguettes were judged the city’s best in terms of taste, appearance and perfume. You won’t be disappointed: Or else, choose among the other nine finalists.
Where To Find The Best Baguette in Paris
Mahmoud M'Seddi, Boulangerie 2M
215, Boulevard Raspail (Paris 14e)
Thomas Lajuncomme, Le Grenier à Pain St Amand
33bis, rue Saint Amand (Paris 15e)
Jacky Renouf, Le Puits d'Amour
249, Boulevard Voltaire (Paris 11e)
Tarshan Selvarajah, Au Levain des Pyrénées
44, rue des Pyrénées (Paris 20e)
Yosuké Fujie, Landemaine Martyrs
26, rue des Martyrs (Paris 9e)
Karim Akrout, Maison Hubert Rambuteau
62, rue Rambuteau (Paris 3e)
Emmanuel Decorde, Maison Decorde
29, rue Gay-Lussac (Paris 5e)
Arnaud Delmontel, Delmontel
25, rue de Levis (Paris 17e)
Anis Bouabsa, Au Duc de la Chapelle
32, rue Tristan TZARA (Paris 18e)
Eric Schiavon, Boulangerie Thierry Meunier
15, rue de Belleville (Paris 19e)
Also read: Baguette from A to Z, 26 fun facts about this French bread
