Du Pain et des Idees aka: ‘Bread & Ideas’

When in Paris, one is expected to break all diets and eat at least one croissant or baguette, right? Starting out my 2019 with the best intentions to attempt the ‘Paleo’ lifestyle  – I was hesitant to break my own pact (it WAS only January!). However, when you reach out for ‘Paris tips’, and five people come back to you with the same urgent plea to visit THIS BAKERY, then you really have to reconsider your priorities. SO I figured, if I’m going to break the paleo diet, I’ll break it well – and this must be the place where that happens.

This bakery has been around since 1889 and is as traditional as they get. The waft of cooked butter and burnt sugar will hit you from a block away, leading the way to the grand corner shop front. Well-dressed locals exit hugging large, baby blue paper bags filled with sweet treats to get them through the day.

As soon as you enter, you can get a strong sense of history this place holds – it really feels LEGIT! The mirrored ceiling reflects the warm lighting and the decorative floral hand-painted walls. Glass cabinets immediately greet you, lined with fresh golden pastries that roll out of the kitchen on racks every couple of minutes!

The Pistachio croissant came highly recommended BUT they had sold out! (by 10am!)

So I instead went for the almond croissant which I will now recommend to you!

Du Pain et des Idees aka ‘Bread & Ideas’
34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010
Paris, France

Some very fashionable paste ups on the way to the bakery! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Annie enjoying her almond croissant and cuppa tea! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

The inviting entrance to Du Pain et des Idees! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

The beautiful winter light washing over some old Parisian buildings. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

A little nook within OFR bookshop. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Annie checking out some beautiful mags in the afternoon light! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Out the front of Ofr. Bookshop, where you can gaze through stacks of mags and books all afternoon! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Some ‘1984’ inspired subway art captured by Annie Portelli

Beautiful garbage captured by Annie Portelli

Cute little bakery on route to the Marais district captured by Annie Portelli.

The stationary table at À Rebours. Dream! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Another nook of À Rebours‎! Heaps of goodies in this one! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

The moment before Annie bought two very breakable glasses to bring home with her… Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

La Maison Plisson entrance and outdoor seating area. This deli is actually split in two – one side is more of a cafe and the other is more of a restaurant/evening drinks. You’re basically right on the sidewalk! Perfect for people watching whilst keeping warm from the snow. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

The wine cellar! Enter via the terrazzo stair well in the centre of the deli. Sheesh! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Salami and terrazzo – terrazzo and salami, what more can I say! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Clearly Annie was overjoyed by the contents of this fridge. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Catching some more afternoon winter light! This square turns into a market but in winter it closes. Look up ‘Bastille Market’ if you’re here in another season! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Front window of cute little cafe ‘Wild & The Moon’. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Some winter citrus glowing on this grey winter day! Photo by Annie Portelli

Photo by Annie Portelli

When you enter through the main entrance of Merci you will come to this cute little courtyard with their famous little red Fiat! You can see the library through the window behind it. So lovely! Photo by Annie Portelli

WOW! So much linen! I had to restrain myself! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

The hallway leading from the cafe to the main store! Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.

Incredible cheese selection at Fromagarie Laurent Dubois Bastille! Photo by Annie Portelli

The inviting entrance of the magical cheese shop! Photo by Annie Portelli

Photo by Annie Portelli

Annie’s favourite house on Rue Cremieux. Photo by Annie Portelli

A snap of the grande Gare de Lyon! Photo by Annie Portelli

Annie probably doing something on instagram. Photo – Victoria Zschommler for The Design Files.