Top 10 French Pastries You Should Know

Mille-feuille

Classic French pastry with layers of puff pastry and crème pâtissière, topped with powdered sugar or fondant.

Paris Brest

Wheel-shaped choux pastry filled with crème mousseline pralinée, created to honor a bicycle race.

Tarte au citron meringuée

Lemon meringue tart with a pastry base, lemon curd, and foamy Italian meringue.

Kouign-amann

Breton pastry with layers of butter and sugar, resulting in a caramelized, flaky texture.

Canelé

Rum and vanilla-flavored cakes from Bordeaux, known for their crispy exterior and moist interior.

Éclair

Choux pastry filled with cream and topped with flavored icing; available in various modern flavors.

Mont Blanc

Meringue-based dessert topped with chestnut puree and whipped cream, named after the mountain.

Opéra

Elegant layered chocolate cake with almond sponge, coffee syrup, chocolate ganache, and coffee buttercream.

Tartelette aux fraises:

Strawberry tart with a shortbread base, crème pâtissière filling, and fresh strawberries.

Galette des rois

Frangipane tart baked for Epiphany, with a hidden fève and a gold paper crown for the lucky finder.