When I was in Paris in 2011 researching The Little Bookroom Guide to Paris with Children, I found a cute shop in the Marais that specialized in cream puffs (choux à la crème en français). Since then, it’s become a bit of a trend in Paris and a handful of other choux shops have opened. Odette was a standout among them.
Owner Frédéric Berthy, uses his beloved grandmother’s recipe to create his decadent pastries. As a child, he spent Wednesday afternoons at Grandma Odette’s house, where she’d whip up these bite-sized gems for him and his cousins in her tiny kitchen.
Odette is centrally located, less than five minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral. Inside, a simple black and cream color scheme and accents like antique cake trays and old photos, give it a comfortable, vintage feel.
Desserts can be taken to go, eaten at one of the tables out front, or upstairs on the 1st floor where there’s a view of Notre Dame. Typical daily flavors include: salted butter caramel, green tea, vanilla, coffee, pistachio and chocolate. Simple espressos and coffees are also served.
Odette, 77, rue Galande, 75005, Paris. www.odette-paris.com. Open 1030am to 730pm daily.
