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Saturday, March 18, 2017

Patisserie and Boulangerie of Cote de Azure

An Artisian Bakery
The hunt for the perfect place to satisfy the growing hunger pangs was accentuated with the aroma of baking while strolling on the cobbled streets of the Old Town( Vieux), in Nice. The small streams of visitors were slowly heading in the direction of the Flower Market, a major draw. The surroundings looked like an Indian bride decked up in the finest. Buntings, hoardings, and images of Santa Claus adorned the marketplace, as it was Christmas time. Then we spotted one place that had a pull of the magnet, I had not experienced for a long time. It was a tiny Patisserie with a small crowd inside. The sight with an inset of all hues of pies, pastries, bread and croissants left me gaping like a child. For next couple of minutes, it was one of the most difficult decisions to choose from the offerings of Tart Au Citron( Lemon Tart), Tart aux Pommes( Apple Tart), more.Tart aux Myrtilles( Blueberry tart) and  more.Even the most hardened dieter would melt at the sight of these!


The magical tarts and pastries-Nice
Mouthwatering desserts of Nice



We finally homed on the Tart au Citron and Tart aux Pommes with a steaming hot latte, and a topping of chocolate. The months of exercising, yoga and weight watching, was tossed out of the window as I merrily dug into the crust of the pie. The contents melted in the mouth with a flavor lingering, till the next bite came. Rarely, one gets a treat like this!
Who would not like this?
Tarts are one of the French’s favorite desserts. Many households keep the recipes a well-guarded secret. The fillings vary from region to region of the country. Those from Lorriane swear by the Mirabelle tart while in the Normandy region, the locals swear by the apple tart. It is an integral part of the regional heritage. In the Vosges, the abundance of blue berries that grow in wilderness is a favorite. Likewise the Lorianne region boasts of the finest Mirabelles.(cherry plums, almost 80% of the global commercial production is done here). Menton, is the only place in France where lemons grow and thus Tart au Citron is the specialty of the region. The list is almost endless and each of these delicacies deserves a separate post to describe it.
Cote de Azure also boasts of one of the best Boulangeries (bakeries) anywhere in the world. A visit to at least some of them is an absolute must. The most famous ones in the region are Boulangerie du palais, La Baguette Magique, Serrain Cappa(all in Nice), Patisserie Cottard in Antibes and Sapore di Pane in Cannes make breads that makes one drool. Their presentation is as beautiful as the places where these are located.Whether hungry or not just the sight is so tempting that it is difficult to resist.
Artisians at work in Cannes
The ‘French Stick’, the long thin crusty loaf, is perhaps the best icon of the French life. Baguette- literally means ‘a stick’ and is the most popular bread in France. The golden brown crust and the lattice pattern on the underneath makes this bread stand out. The other kinds of popular breads are Couronne( bread in a circular ring from), Flute( twice the size of Baguette), Batard(a half-length normal loaf), Ficelle( a thin loaf),and Brioche( a sweet bread) are just a few of the popular ones besides a dozen more offerings. These make an excellent treat for a picnic anywhere, while traveling in the region. They are extremely delicious and must be eaten when fresh.

Spoilt for choices of bread- A bakery in Cannes
For those traveling in the region, it is necessary to know that most of these boulangeries close around 1230 am for two hours or more, and by evening most of the fresh produce runs out of the shelf. So to avoid disappointment, be an early bird to pick and choose the best.

27 comments:

  1. So many breads, so many pasteries and the latte... yum!!!

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  2. So many breads, so many pasteries and the latte... yum!!!

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks for reading and welcome to my blog, Pooja! I know anyone would love to eat them all:)

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  4. This is such a sweet and a delightful post. I can do with any of these baking goodies!

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  5. Ummmm....what a mouth watering post...I would have eaten till I can't move 😅

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  6. Btw, we have some colleagues from Nice.

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    1. Wow! So next time you can ask them to get some goodies for you too, Latha.

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    2. No...we don't know them personally. They work from there. Not even virtual friends :(

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  7. What variety of baked treats! What a delicious post!
    Nice learning that these bakeries close around 12 only to open much later and that they run out of their delicacies towards evening.

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    1. Thanks a lot, Divya for your sweet comment. So if you happen to be there, do make sure to be an early bird to pick and choose what you like to buy:)

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  8. I envy you Rahul, you've been to most beautiful places and enjoyed the most yummy delicacies.

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    1. A huge thanks Alka! I am fortunate to have had well wishers like you more than anything else to have seen a bit of the world.

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  9. I've been to places like these in Paris. They're not regular at all!! And now I'm craving for some sweets after seeing these pictures :)

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    1. Every place in France is full of these places:) good to see you back,

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  10. Lovely place. I did love France but we did not visit Nice. Thank you for this tour.

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    1. France has immense beauty and am happy that you liked the post,Rachna!

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  11. This post had pleasure in every byte.

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  12. They look tempting. No wonder the stock is out soon.

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    1. True, it is the flavour and looks that makes the fare disappear before the end of the day,Saru.

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