Merveilleux
Photo: Eeicing · CC BY-SA 4.0

History

The merveilleux is Belgian by origin and was reworked in French Flanders, where the Hazebrouck pastry chef Roger Mouille made a lighter version bound with whipped cream rather than buttercream. Frederic Vaucamps built a business on it, opening the first Aux Merveilleux de Fred on Rue de la Monnaie in Lille in 1997 before the brand reached Paris, London and New York. The northern French variants sometimes swap the whipped cream for chocolate buttercream and are formed as spheres rather than cylinders. Speculoos, coffee and cherry versions are all standard.

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Common allergens: Milk, Eggs

Make it at home

Yield Makes 8Hands-on 45 minTotal 3 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites
  • 240g caster sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 500ml very cold double cream
  • 2 tablespoons icing sugar
  • 200g dark chocolate, for shaving

Method

  1. Whisk the whites with the salt to soft peaks, then add the sugar a spoonful at a time until stiff and glossy.
  2. Pipe 16 discs about 6cm across onto lined trays.
  3. Dry them at 100C for 2 hours, then leave in the switched-off oven to cool completely.
  4. Whip the cream with the icing sugar to firm peaks.
  5. Sandwich the meringues in pairs with a thick layer of cream.
  6. Coat each pair completely in more cream using a palette knife.
  7. Shave the chocolate with a peeler and roll each merveilleux in the shavings until covered. Chill for 30 minutes.

Tip from the editors. Meringues must be bone dry before you fill them, or the cream turns them chewy within the hour.

Where to eat merveilleux

Merveilleux in Lille

Aux Merveilleux de Fred (Rue de la Monnaie) ★ 4.5

€€ BakeryMeringue and whipped cream pastryVieux LilleWalk-in only

Aux Merveilleux de Fred started on Rue de la Monnaie in Lille, and this counter still sells the meringue and cream pastry that gave the brand its name.

Worth the queueThe merveilleux

TipBuy the small size and eat it standing. The cream collapses within the hour.

Directions

Aux Merveilleux de Fred (Wazemmes) ★ 4.3

€€ BakeryMeringue and whipped cream pastryGambettaWalk-in only

The Wazemmes branch of Aux Merveilleux de Fred on Rue Léon Gambetta in Lille opens at 06:30, earlier than the Vieux-Lille shop, and sells the same range.

Worth the queueThe merveilleux

TipThis branch closes for a summer break from 27 July to 16 August 2026.

Directions

Aux Merveilleux de Fred (Gare Lille Flandres) ★ 4.2

€€ BakeryMeringue and whipped cream pastryLille CentreWalk-in only

The Place des Buisses branch of Aux Merveilleux de Fred sits beside Lille Flandres station, open from 06:00 and stocked with merveilleux and cramique.

Worth the queueCramique

TipOpen from 06:00 on weekdays, which makes it the only serious pastry option before a first train.

Directions

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