France’s motto may be “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), but trust us that égalité does not apply to croissants. That perfect croissant is both butter and flaky without being too greasy and definitely not stale. This perfection can be extremely hard to find, but worth the search. Ask any Parisian about their neighborhood and they’ll have no problem ranking the quality of pastries and breads at all the nearby bakeries.
Want to feel like a real Parisian? Why not combine a croissant tasting tour with a private French lesson? Together we’ll find an easy walking route in your favorite part of Paris with five or six boulangeries (bakeries) along the way. In each bakery you will practice your French by purchasing a croissant and then we’ll continue on our way 
while tasting it. You will be amazed at the difference between each boulangerie. One croissant may be blah! But oh, la, la it is just next door to a school with a great selection of candies. That’s probably why it is still in business. It may also suddenly make sense why one boulangerie has a line out the door every Saturday morning and the one around the corner is empty. A croissant tour is a great way to start understanding the subtle dynamics of Parisian neighborhoods and feel like an insider in your favorite neighborhood.
Here are some phrases and words you may practice or hear during the tasting tour:
How much is it? Combien cela coûte?
Can I help you? Puis-je vous aider ?
What are your opening hours? Quelles sont vos heures d’ouvertures ?
The bakery is open from 8 to 10 La boulangerie est ouvert de 8h à 22h
I don’t understand, can you repeat slower, please? Je ne comprends pas, pouvez vous répéter plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ?
I beg your pardon? Pardon ?
Good bye Au revoir
Have a good day Bonne journée
To buy: acheter; to look for: chercher quelque chose; to pay for something: payer quelque chose; to order: commander: to stand in line: faire la queue
This would also be a great opportunity to learn about the different breads and pastries sold at a French bakery. Here’s a shot list to get you started:
la baguette: long thin loaf; le bâtard: thicker loaf; la boule: round loaf; la ficelle: very thin loaf; le petit pain: roll; la farine: flour; le blé: wheat ; le levain: sourdough; le seigle: rye; la levure: commercial yeast; la mie: crumb; la croûte: crust
Interested in private French lessons in Paris? Call or contact us to organize lessons to better get to know a favorite neighborhood or at a historical site “off the beaten path.”
Photos by Robyn Lee on Flicker.