Aux Merveilleux de Fred

It’s always a thrill when you discover something new in Paris, even if it’s just new to you. And if it happens to be a new favorite treat, actually called ‘wonderfuls’ (merveilleux), then all the better.

While roaming around Passy, I recently discovered Aux Merveilleux de Fred, a chain of tiny, oh-so-pretty patisseries, that has apparently been around for a while, originating in Lille.

Decorated with pretty chandeliers, the tiny pastry shops sell marvelous little meringues filled with cream and covered in sprinkles of chocolate, coffee, coconut, and other flavors. It sounds quite heavy and sweet, but I kid you not, it’s like biting into a tiny cloud, a puff of sweetness with a bit of crunch.

I made the mistake of getting (just) one to go, taking it with me in a lovely little box and not tasting it until later in the day. Otherwise, I would have gone for one of the assortment boxes. And eaten them all.

The merveilleux sell like proverbial hotcakes, so there’s often a line. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch through the window while waiting and see how the busy bakers make these heavenly treats. My advice: don’t buy just one, you’re sure to regret it!

Fortunately, there are seven different boutiques around Paris, so you’re never too far from these heavenly little treats!

Aux Merveilleux de Fred has 11 locations in Paris:

• In Le Marais: 24 Rue du Pont Louis Philippe, 75004 Paris
• In the Latin Quarter: 2 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris
• In Saint-Germain: 1 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris
• Between Invalides & the Eiffel Tower: 94 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris
• Near Bastille & Gare de Lyon: 12 Place d’Aligre, 75012 Paris
• In Gare de Lyon: 4 Place Louis Armand, 75012 Paris
• At Denfert-Rochereau: 23 Rue Daguerre, 75014 Paris
• In Beaugrenelle: 129bis Rue Saint-Charles, 75015 Paris
• In Passy: 29 Rue de l’Annonciation, 75016 Paris
• In Batignolles: 7 Rue de Tocqueville, 75017 Paris
• In Montmartre: 2 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris