D’Éclair-ation of Love – L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

Paris is the city of love and food. From the cookies topped with flowers at Peonies to the decadent truffle flavored macarons at Pierre Hermé, your stomach will thank you for any amount of time you’re able to spend in the city of light. For us, no trip to Paris is complete unless we get to drool on the display cases at L’Éclair de Génie.

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) as seen from a boat ride along La Seine. Photo taken during a bateaux mouches ride courtesy of FoodWaterShoes. — Oh Paris, Oui! Oui! Oui! – La Tour Eiffel as Seen From a Boat Ride Along La Seine

The treats at L’Éclair de Génie are nothing like the éclairs you may have come across stateside.

An assortment of beautiful éclairs at the Pavée location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWatershoes — I Can See Éclair-ly Now, the Rain is Gone – Rainbow Hued Éclairs at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

At L’Éclair de Génie, éclairs are delicious works of art that pastry chef Christophe Adam and his team pour divine sweetness into.

Lemon (citron), blueberry (myrtille) and raspberry passion fruit (framboise passion) éclairs from the Pavée location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — I Dream of… L’Éclair de Génie Pastry Shop in Paris, France – Lemon, Blueberry and Raspberry Passion Fruit Éclairs

From basic flavors done remarkably well (like coffee and raspberry) to delights that will elevate your tastebuds (think Iranian pistachio made with orange bark and seasonal flavors like blueberry), L’Éclair de Génie is a whimsical pastry shop that specializes in flavors that are out of this world.

A beautiful rose, lychee (litchi) and raspberry (framboise) éclair at L'Éclair de Genie in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — Beautiful on the Outside, Tasty on the Inside – A Rose, Lychee and Raspberry Éclair at L’Éclair de Genie in Paris, France

In addition to L’Éclair de Génie, here’s a list of other neat little local spots we love across France.

A box (la boîte) of beautiful éclairs at the La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — We d’Éclair These Are the Sweetest Treats in Paris – A Box of Yum at L’Éclair de Génie

While its not uncommon for Adam and his team to source ingredients from distant lands (bourbon vanilla from Madagascar and coffee from Ethiopia), a good number of the headlining ingredients are locally sourced across France.

Yellow passion fruit and raspberry (passion framboise) éclairs sit beside bright red wild strawberry (fraises des bois) éclairs at the La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — You are My Passion – Passion Fruit and Raspberry Éclairs Cozy Up Next to Wild Strawberry Éclairs at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

Your tongue can taste hazelnuts from Cancon and there’s salt courtesy of Guérande (a spot in Brittany that’s known for its extensive salt marshes).

A gorgeous assortment of beautiful tasty éclairs at the La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — A Feast for Your Eyes and Your Mouth – Pretty Éclairs on Display at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

The word éclair means “lightning.” Probably because that’s how quickly you’ll devour a tasty well executed version of these oblong pastries.

Mascarpone and wild strawberry (fraises des bois) éclairs rest beside other delicious pastries at La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — You Won’t Want to Share This Wild Strawberry Éclair – L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

Clearly we love sweet stuff. Here are some of our favorite places to eat local and indulge in a sugar rush around the planet.

Chocolates, truffles and other take away treats at the Pavée location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — If Only Our Fridge Looked This Nice – Treats to Go at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

L’Éclair de Génie also sells chocolate truffles inspired by many of the same recipes as its éclair flavors.

Container of les crapotes on display at the Pavée location of L'Éclair de Génie in Paris, France. These tasty treats travel well in their sturdy containers and are made with butter from Brittany (beurre Breton), flour, sugar, sea salt and love. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — They May Not Make the Flight – Les Crapotes From L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France Are Made With Butter From Brittany, Flour, Sugar, Sea Salt and Love

Since éclairs don’t travel well, one of our favorite foodie souvenirs to bring back with us from France are delicious little containers of les crapotes from L’Éclair de Génie.

Dozens of containers store tasty éclairs at L'Éclair de Génie's Pavée location in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — Library of Deliciousness – Dozens of Containers Store Tasty Éclairs at L’Éclair de Génie’s Pavée Location in Paris, France

Trying to decide which éclair to try is probably the most difficult part of visiting L’Éclair de Génie.

Two boxes have four mini éclairs inside of each package at the La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — Good Things Come in Small Packages – A Box of Mini Éclairs at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

Your best bet, if you’re a first timer here, is to go with a box of four mini éclairs.

Beautifully hued blueberry (myrtille), chocolate, raspberry (framboise) and passion fruit (passion) éclairs sit in a display case at the Pavée location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — You’re Going to Miss These Éclairs Berry Much When You Leave France – Blueberry, Chocolate, Raspberry and Passion Fruit Éclairs at L’Éclair de Génie in Paris

Although we wouldn’t judge you if you go for four full sized éclairs because they really are that good.

Vanilla pecan (vanille pecan) éclairs sit beside bright green pistachio raspberry (pistache framboise) éclairs at La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Genie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — Butter Together – Vanilla Pecan (Vanille Pecan) and Pistachio Raspberry (Pistache Framboise) Éclairs at L’Éclair de Genie in Paris, France

Whether it’s your first time in France or you live in Paris, L’Éclair de Génie is one spot you won’t mind visiting encore une fois (one more time).

An exterior street view photo from the sidewalk outside of the La Fabrique location of L'Éclair de Génie pastry shop in Paris, France. Photo Courtesy of FoodWaterShoes — La Fabrique Location of L’Éclair de Génie in Paris, France

L’Éclair de Génie
*There are five L’Éclair de Génie locations in France and also locations in Canada, Georgia, Italy, Japan and Russia. All the photos in our post are from two locations: the Pavée store and the main La Fabrique L’Éclair de Génie location on Rue Notre Dame des Victoires.
Address: 32 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires
75002 Paris, France
Hours: Monday Through Saturday 10:00am to 7:00pm
Phone: +33 1 84 79 23 40
Email: contact@leclairdegenie.com
Pricing (All in Euros): Éclairs €5.50 to €6.50, Box of Four Mini Éclairs €12.00, Container of Les Crapotes €5.90

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