Bakeries to discover during the Olympic Games

Oui, oui, baguette... The world's most famous symbol of French cuisine is undoubtedly the baguette. While Paris 2024 is all about sport, it's also a golden opportunity for France to showcase its savoir-faire to the general public. Gastronomic artisans play an essential role in the country's cultural heritage. Here is our selection of the best bakers in each city hosting the Olympic competitions.

Maison Doucet in Villeneuve d'Ascq

Ode to team sports! From July 27 to August 11, 2024, 52 matches will be played in the Decathlon Arena at Stade Pierre Mauroy. Two tournaments are on the program: basketball and handball.

For want of a good reference point in the suburban town itself, the Maison Doucet will be a great reason to visit the prefecture of Nord. In this establishment, bakery and patisserie go hand in hand to offer customers beautiful creations. Generous nut breads, cakes, brioches and other delicacies are to be discovered without moderation.

• Where? 370 rue Léon Gambetta, 59000 Lille
• Read the Gault&Millau review of Maison Doucet.

Utopie bakery in Paris

The capital, the main host city of this Olympiad, will be the epicenter of the event. Between the Olympic village and its huge restaurant, and the collections of the Ladurée and La Maison du Chocolat houses. The City of Light is also synonymous with gastronomic creations of all kinds.

Among the many fine bakeries in Paris, it's hard not to highlight the work of Xavier Nétry. He is the latest winner of the title of "Best Baguette in Paris". A distinction that has earned him the privilege of serving France's finest table, the Élysée. Beyond that, rare offerings such as the charcoal baguette make this bakery a must.

• Where? 20 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
• Read the Gault&Millau review of Utopie

DR

La Petite Boulangerie in Nantes

We continue along the Loire to the sea. A land of soccer, fans of the Nantes Canaris can look forward to eight matches in the men's and women's tournaments. They will be held at the Stade de la Beaujoire, with the men's tournament grand final as a bonus.

Don't be fooled by the name, because we're talking about excellence in craftsmanship here. Indeed, the establishment is none other than the playground of MOF Franck Dépériers. Open every day of the week, you'll find precision breads such as the famous "Seigliton".

• Where? 1 place Saint-Félix, 44000 Nantes
• Read the Gault&Millau review of La Petite Boulangerie

Christophe Bornet

La Grigne Châteauroux

The shooting sports tournament will be held from July 27 to August 5, 2024 at the National Center of the discipline in Châteauroux. Between two shooting sessions with our champion Jean Quiquampoix, you can enjoy a nice snack at La Grigne. This young, dynamic team offers a catering service for lunch, with a few tables on the terrace to enjoy the sunshine. A positive point for an establishment already renowned for the quality of its organic breads.

• Where? 2 bis Rue de la Poste, 36000 Châteauroux
• Read the Gault&Millau review of La Grigne

Le Croq' en Bouche in Saint-Étienne

Back to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Six men's and women's soccer matches will take place in the industrial city of Saint-Étienne. All in the mythical cauldron of Les Verts between July 24 and 31, 2024.

For twelve years now, Xavier Jousserand has been at the helm of Le Croq' en Bouche. His specialty is pastries, which are now available for sale on the Internet.

• Where? 25 place Chavanelle, 42000 Saint-Étienne
• Read the Gault&Millau review of Croq' en Bouche

DR

La Maison Lamour in Bordeaux

On the west coast, where another major soccer venue in France is located, seven matches from the men's and women's tournaments will unsurprisingly be held at the Matmut Atlantique.

In 2017, Maison Lamour won one of France's most prestigious awards: the title of best bakery in France. This Bordeaux establishment is renowned for its traditional baguettes and petit épeautre.

• Where? 157 rue Judaïque, 33000 Bordeaux
• Read the Gault&Millau review of Maison Lamour

Le Fournil Zielinska in Nice

The Côte d'Azur won't be missing out on the Olympics. Six matches from the men's and women's tournaments will be played at the Allianz Riviera stadium. The French men's team will play a decisive match on July 27, 2024.

The ambiance of this bakery in Vieux Nice is retro-modern. What's more, the old-growth wheat flour used is organic. Their slogan? "Neither baguette nor croissant, you deserve better". Respect for tradition is at the heart of their commitment, and the result is an unusual selection of high-quality bread.

• Where? 54-6 rue Jules Gilly, 06000 Nice
• Read the Gault&Millau review of Fournil Zielinska

DR

La Maison Saint-Honoré - Pierre Ragot in Marseille

The city of Marseille will also be entitled to its weight in gold for the Olympic Games. Marseille is synonymous with the Velodrome stadium and soccer, where ten matches will be held. But the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture will also be hosting the sailing competitions. No fewer than 330 athletes from 40 nations will be sailing in the Marina and the southern harbor.

At the helm of his establishment, Pierre Ragot promulgates creations based on products he chooses with care. The origin and quality of his flours are his hobbyhorses. The beautiful transalpine focaccia highlights this city with its strong heritage stemming from Italian immigration in the 18ᵉ century. Tarte tatin and Corsican fiadone make the establishment a complete cross between bakery and patisserie.

• Where? 131 rue d'Endoume, 13007 Marseille
• Read the Gault&Millau review of La Maison Saint-Honoré - Pierre Ragot

A further escape... Fournil Hautbois in Tahiti

Our selection comes to an end in this overseas territory. This is where the surfing events will take place, with 48 men and women competing between July 27 and 30, 2024. The Polynesian address guarantees a complete selection of quality bread. The bakery also offers a delivery service and seating for efficient meals.