Is the baguette truly French and where can you get a great baguette in Paris?

Legend has it that until the time of Napoleon, French bread was round like a ball (Boule), which is where, by the way, the word Boulanger (baker) came from. Napoleon, who recognized the importance of logistics, demanded that his bakers create a stick-shaped bread that would be easy to put in the soldiers' pants pockets and march for many miles, and thus the baguette was created (this may also be how the phrase "Is that a baguette in your pants that you're just happy to meet me?" was coined).

However, this is probably a myth, as walking with a baguette stuck in your pants is not particularly comfortable, and in any case, after a long walk the baguette would probably be almost inedible. So how was the baguette really invented?

The history of the baguette

During the 19th century, the Austrians invented a special gas-powered baking oven with a steam injection mechanism that generated heat reaching up to 200 degrees Celsius. The steam made it possible to create bread with a hard crust and a very soft filling, and the oven was an immediate success with all types of people. France, so it was probably during this period that the baguette was invented.

However, the baguette only became popular in the 20s because many of France's bakers were killed or injured during World War I and there was a need for bread that could be baked quickly and easily. Also, at that time, a law was created that allowed bakeries to only work from 4 a.m., and as a result, the baguette became the only bread that could be baked in time for breakfast.

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To all these reasons, there was another reason that made it such a great success story. The fact that a baguette tastes more or less good within the first hour after it comes out of the oven meant that even if there was a baguette left over from breakfast, most French people would return to the bakery at lunchtime and in the evening to buy a new baguette, which turned the baguette into a gold mine for bakers.

In my opinion, the baguette is not only a delicious bread but also serves as a kind of “magic wand” that can predict the quality of Restaurant Not familiar. When I walk down the street in Paris and look for a restaurant, one of the first things I check is how they serve the baguette. If a basket containing slices of fresh baguette is served, then this is a place that respects its customers. Such places buy the baguette from a neighborhood bakery, which is not far from them, and replenish the stock every time the baguette runs out.

Such places will always serve good to excellent food (I have never encountered a restaurant that refuted this thesis). On the other hand, if you see that the restaurant serves “mini baguette” rolls, it is time to run away because this is a restaurant that disrespects its customers and buys industrial rolls.

How do you determine what the best baguette is in Paris?

​Finally, did you know that the city of Paris holds an annual baguette competition among the city's bakeries? The "Oscars of Baguettes" is held on the Ile Saint Louis in a magnificent building that once housed the Bakers' Guild. The competition has 15 judges, who examine approximately 150 baguettes during the competition. Here is a short video about the competition:

If you wanted to participate, you must own a shop that is registered with the Paris Bakery Business Register. Your baguettes must also meet the standards listed in government decree number 93-1074, which states that a baguette must be 55-65 centimeters long and weigh between 250-350 grams. If you meet the conditions and pass the judges' strict examination, you will win a one-year contract to supply baguettes to the Elysee Palace and the knowledge that the President of France eats your bread every morning.

Where can you find a great baguette in Paris?

The truth is, this is not a simple question at all, since almost any baguette you buy at a simple boulangerie in Paris will probably be excellent (certainly compared to what is available in Israel). But despite this, there are good baguettes and there are simply excellent baguettes. Here are some recommendations:

Au petit Versailles du Marais (both beautiful and delicious)

Address: 52 Rue François Miron, 75004 Paris, France

I will start the review with my personal recommendation. In September 2018 I stayed at Nice Hotel For about a week and a half. This is Centrally located hotel, beautiful design and wonderful service but what, its breakfast is pretty mediocre. And the truth is that this is a problem with a large part of Paris hotels. The breakfast they have is either expensive or mediocre or both.

So I decided to look for a boulangerie nearby where I could eat a fresh baguette sandwich and that's how I ended up at Au petit Versailles du Marais. The place previously won the Best Baguette in Paris competition, but that's not the only reason to go there. True, the baguette is fresh, the crust is crackling and the inside is soft and delicious, but it's worth coming here even if you don't feel like a baguette. Over the course of a week or so, I also tried the brioche and a few other cakes and they were all excellent.

As you will see in the video above, this is not only a boulangerie with excellent pastries but also a beautiful place to stop. While you are traveling in the Marais And need some coffee and pastry to strengthen you.

Le Gay Choc (in which the boulangerie decided to put a dick)

Address: 45 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie

I came across this boulangerie quite by chance while I was living inApartment in the 4th arrondissement of ParisWhen you first look in the shop window, the first thought that comes to mind is, “What a blue head I have. There’s no way I’m seeing what I’m seeing!” But if you go inside, you’ll discover that your eyes weren’t drawn to you. The baguettes and other pastries here take on a distinctly phallic form.

So beyond the gimmick and the laughs, this is an excellent boulangerie that can serve you faithfully if you decide to live in the southwestern part of the Marais. Try not only the baguette but also the brioche and the strawberry cake. They are excellent.

And by the way, if phallic symbols in Paris do it for you, don't miss this article. The giant phallus near the Eiffel Tower.

Landemaine House

Address: 28 Boulevard Beaumarchais

A warm recommendation from Liat Lustig. A bakery owned by Rodolphe Landemaine and his Japanese wife, who also bakes. The place pays great respect to the French baking tradition and their baguettes are simply perfect. It's worth sampling the other pastries as well, of course.

Le Fournil de Mouffetard (not just excellent croissants)

Address: 123 rue Mouffetard

This boulangerie has already received warm recommendations in the article Everything you wanted to know about croissants in Paris However, that doesn't mean that this relatively modest boulangerie doesn't also bake great baguettes. The bakery is located inMoffatar Street One of the most culinary streets in Paris and if you are lucky enough to live inApartment in the 5th arrondissement This bakery can be an excellent option for a morning baguette.

Le Grenier à pain (mythical boulangerie)

https://youtu.be/pldE0NDMzj0

Address: rue des Abbesses 38

Recommendation from Yehudit Gilad:

Franck Tombarel

Address: 64 Avenue Felix Faure

Recommendation from Eyal Varmos:

You can find all kinds of special baguettes in this bakery: baguettes made from rye flour, brown flax flour, yellow flax flour, and all kinds of seeds.

And if you ask me, the fact that one of the best baguettes in Paris is on Felix Four Street shows that history certainly has quite a sense of humor. To understand this, you should read the article. The President's Deadly Mistress And find out what happened to the president who didn't know how to protect his "baguette."

Boulangerie M'seddi

https://youtu.be/1i0n8uqM590

Address: 215 Boulevard Raspail

And how can we end this article without recommending the winner of the 2018 Best Baguette Award? It's the boulangerie of Mahmoud M'seddi, a baker of Tunisian origin. Mahmoud's family has been in the baking business for more than thirty years, and although it is located somewhere In the 14th arrondissement It's definitely worth coming there and understanding why he won the award.