The French have a magic touch when it comes to dessert and bread. Their cakes and pastries look like works of art and taste like heaven on earth. Here are my top 4 picks that are tried and tested but there are still tons out there for me to check out on my next visit.
Jean Luc Pele






A visit to Cannes isn't complete without a compulsory stop at Jean Luc Pelé. Each mouthful of his creations is pure decadence and a culinary experience that no gourmand should ever miss. I thought Green & Black chocolates are good but heck, words can't describe when I took my first bite of a petit chocolate cake called Manjari - a chocolate sponge filled with creme brulee and scattered crispy chocolate balls in the center and covered in dark chocolate. It was a sensory explosion in my mouth. This artisan patissier-chocolatier is a genius, as far as I'm concerned.
One of his staff looked at me with much amusement when I ran back and forth from one end of the counter to the other end just trying to decide on what to buy. She didn't even bat an eyelid when I spent the next 10 minutes photographing my cake from every angle before plowing into it. I guess she must've seen plenty of customers exhibiting pretty strange behavior at the store (insanity by chocolate). I went back to Cannes (a nearly 4 hour return journey by bus) just to eat another cake AND bought another to go. Yes, yes, gluttony is a sin but even God would understand the need to shovel as much as I can while we're here in South of France.
LAC Chocolatier

You're probably thinking that my meals in Provence consisted of chocolate and cakes. You're right! And the thing is, I don't even have a sweet tooth but I'm now addicted to LAC's chocolate delights after my first bite. Each cake costs 3.70€ to 5€ which is ridiculously well priced considering how sublime they taste. If you're staying in Provence, I urge you to visit Nice just to check out LAC Chocolatier. They have 3 stores in Nice including one in Vieux Nice (old town).
Addresses
Florentin
I drop by Boulangerie Patisserie Florentin twice a day. Once in the morning to pick up my baguette and the evening for another and a slice of caramel millefeuille. I prefer the handmade baguette tradition (as the French call it) with its pointy ends to the standard thinner ones. I love the beautiful golden brown crisp crust with the airy and chewy texture inside. I've blown my gluten free diet to smithereens because I can't resist heading to the boulangerie just for a whiff of freshly baked bread.
I've tried different pastries at Florentin but the one that rocks my boat would have to be the caramel millefeuille. It is THE best millefeuille I've tasted so far. The burnt and slightly bitter caramel surface complements the 2 layers of cream. But wait...... wait till you take a bite of the buttery and crunchy puff pastry. It is absolutely divine.
Address: 47, rue France, Nice
Fenocchio

While we were hanging about on the steps of a church, we chatted to a Parisian who normally spends her summers in Nice. The first thing she asked was if I've visited Fenocchio glacier yet. The ice cream parlor is a popular destination in Nice. There's a queue all hours of the day but the service is always cheerful and efficient. There are 90 flavors to choose from (violet, watermelon, jasmine, salted caramel, rose, vanilla & meringue to name a few). So it's perfectly logical to make a daily trip while we're on our 2 week vacation here to try out as many flavors as we can.
Address
2 Place Rosetti, Nice
6, rue de la Poissonerie, Nice
Jean Luc Pele








A visit to Cannes isn't complete without a compulsory stop at Jean Luc Pelé. Each mouthful of his creations is pure decadence and a culinary experience that no gourmand should ever miss. I thought Green & Black chocolates are good but heck, words can't describe when I took my first bite of a petit chocolate cake called Manjari - a chocolate sponge filled with creme brulee and scattered crispy chocolate balls in the center and covered in dark chocolate. It was a sensory explosion in my mouth. This artisan patissier-chocolatier is a genius, as far as I'm concerned.
One of his staff looked at me with much amusement when I ran back and forth from one end of the counter to the other end just trying to decide on what to buy. She didn't even bat an eyelid when I spent the next 10 minutes photographing my cake from every angle before plowing into it. I guess she must've seen plenty of customers exhibiting pretty strange behavior at the store (insanity by chocolate). I went back to Cannes (a nearly 4 hour return journey by bus) just to eat another cake AND bought another to go. Yes, yes, gluttony is a sin but even God would understand the need to shovel as much as I can while we're here in South of France.
LAC Chocolatier






You're probably thinking that my meals in Provence consisted of chocolate and cakes. You're right! And the thing is, I don't even have a sweet tooth but I'm now addicted to LAC's chocolate delights after my first bite. Each cake costs 3.70€ to 5€ which is ridiculously well priced considering how sublime they taste. If you're staying in Provence, I urge you to visit Nice just to check out LAC Chocolatier. They have 3 stores in Nice including one in Vieux Nice (old town).
Addresses
18 rue Barla, Nice
49 rue Gioffredo, Nice
12 rue de la Préfecture, Vieux Nice Florentin

I drop by Boulangerie Patisserie Florentin twice a day. Once in the morning to pick up my baguette and the evening for another and a slice of caramel millefeuille. I prefer the handmade baguette tradition (as the French call it) with its pointy ends to the standard thinner ones. I love the beautiful golden brown crisp crust with the airy and chewy texture inside. I've blown my gluten free diet to smithereens because I can't resist heading to the boulangerie just for a whiff of freshly baked bread.
I've tried different pastries at Florentin but the one that rocks my boat would have to be the caramel millefeuille. It is THE best millefeuille I've tasted so far. The burnt and slightly bitter caramel surface complements the 2 layers of cream. But wait...... wait till you take a bite of the buttery and crunchy puff pastry. It is absolutely divine.
Address: 47, rue France, Nice
Fenocchio



While we were hanging about on the steps of a church, we chatted to a Parisian who normally spends her summers in Nice. The first thing she asked was if I've visited Fenocchio glacier yet. The ice cream parlor is a popular destination in Nice. There's a queue all hours of the day but the service is always cheerful and efficient. There are 90 flavors to choose from (violet, watermelon, jasmine, salted caramel, rose, vanilla & meringue to name a few). So it's perfectly logical to make a daily trip while we're on our 2 week vacation here to try out as many flavors as we can.
Address
2 Place Rosetti, Nice
6, rue de la Poissonerie, Nice
I quite agree, the French have a way with food!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a sweet tooth either but I could be tempted by any of those offerings.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the ice creams - salted caramel for me please.
Those photos are so beautiful, color, light , everything perfect. By the way I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, take a look on the post in my blog http://mylittleriojournal.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/the-versatile-blogger-award-2/
ReplyDeleteCristina
www.mylittleriojournal.wordpress.com
Oh my goodness, this is one mouthwatering post...your photos and descriptions had me salivating and I do have sweet tooth!
ReplyDeleteI have to pin this right away! If there's one reason to visit South France, all these shown in this post will be it! - I Ying
ReplyDeleteI do believe that you are indeed trying to kill me Marlene! How amazing does all this food look?! I would adore to visit both Nice and Cannes, looks beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy your weekend,
Daniella xox
Oh Marlene, your instagram has had my stomach growling for days with all the delicious cakes you've been posting & this is just sensory overload! I'm going to have to go to the kitchen and scoff the entire bar of Green & Blacks now to try to console myself! Hah! That little chocolate cake from Jean Luc Pelé looks like heaven on a plate...
ReplyDeleteOh I'm loving these photos - bringing back some great memories. We also went into Jean Luc Pele in Cannes and had the most DIVINE tart with fresh fruit. Hubby near fainted at the price but it was so worth it. Ax
ReplyDeleteYour post brings back so many souvenirs gourmands. The French are indeed experts when it comes to la gourmandise! Glad you are indulging on your vacation, that's the way to do it. Bon appétit!
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is watering like crazy right now, everything looks so delicious, I would have such a hard time picking something ti eat!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Stacey
Five Minute Style
I count myself as a very lucky duck since I've gotten to go to Fenocchio but the problem is, I've been dreaming about it ever since!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are mouthwateringly beautiful!
I should have just married a pastry chef! le sigh...
ReplyDeleteI was in France last month and was able to try all of your favorites except for Florentin because it's not longer there =(. They were absolutely delicious !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm normally a savory person but these patisseries were unbelievably good. I'm amazed that you took my word and tried them all. Thank you for the lovely message!
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