Quiche Lorraine is a savoury egg-and-cream tart in shortcrust pastry, set with smoky lardons. No cheese in the canonical version. Served warm in slim wedges at every Parisian bistro lunch.
Quiche Lorraine originates in the Lorraine region of northeastern France, where it was a peasant tart of cream, eggs and smoked pork. The dish entered Parisian bistro menus in the early 20th century and standardised by the 1950s. The strict French version is eggs, cream and lardons only; the addition of cheese (Gruyère, Comté) is a Parisian deviation that the bistros now run alongside the canonical version. Polidor (founded 1845, in the 6e) plates a classical version; Boulangerie BO and Du Pain et des Idées both sell a slim slice at the lunchtime counter. The quiche is the cheapest hot lunch in the city and the easiest to do badly.
Boulangerie BO in Paris's 12e is Olivier Haustraete's listed-monument boulangerie by Marché d'Aligre, baking organic baguette tradition and Tokyo-honed.
TipThe cherry-blossom Mont Blanc in spring is the seasonal pick; the baguette tradition is the everyday order.
Stohrer in Paris is the city's oldest patisserie, founded in 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer who served Marie Leszczyńska at Versailles. Open daily 07:30-20:30.
TipThe original puits d'amour and the baba travel well. The whipped-cream cake is best in shop.
Polidor in Paris has run a Latin-Quarter bistro at the same address since 1845. The carte still holds bœuf bourguignon, blanquette de veau, tarte tatin.
OrderBœuf bourguignon in winter, tarte tatin with crème fraîche, a pichet of red.
TipCash preferred. The shared tables are part of the experience; come at 19:30 to share with strangers.
Learn classic French cooking techniques at a 6-hour cooking class in the Latin Quarter of Paris, visiting a local open air market to forage for fresh produce to turn i...
Learn classic French cooking techniques at a 5-hour cooking class in the Latin Quarter of Paris, using fresh produce from the local market to turn into a memorable 3-c...