There is perhaps no other French dessert that is more well known than the eclair. This flaky pastry, filled with cream and topped with icing, comes in many variations but they are all unmistakably French in inspiration. In France, the eclair is as popular as ever, and this popularity shows no signs of stopping.
Case in point: a new tradition has begun across the country, and it puts eclairs in the spotlight. The tradition consists of an event called the “Quinzaine des Eclairs” (“The Eclair Fifteen”). The “fifteen” stands for fifteen days, and that is how long this event lasts. During the Fifteen Days of Eclairs, boulangeries all across France will be presenting specially flavored eclairs for their patrons to try.
Each year, new kinds of eclairs are conceived, and every participating boulangerie carries the same experimental flavors. This year, patrons can try peach-raspberry, vanilla-toffee, and apple-almond eclairs during the Fifteen Days of Eclairs. This enables pastry chefs to experiment with interesting combinations and also provides a great opportunity for pastry lovers to try these creative creations.
From March 9 until March 24, 2013, a selection of pastry shops in Paris will be stocking these tasty new treats for the Quinzaine des Eclairs. Guests staying at the Hôtel Louvre Marsollier will be right next to the action as two boulangeries in the 2nd arrondissement — the same arrondissement that the hotel is located in — will be participating in the event. The Boulangerie Saint Sauveur at 100 Rue Montorgueil and the Paris Authentique at 33 Rue d’Aboukir will both be offering up the deliciously flavored eclairs in March. A list of all participating boulangeries in Paris can be found on the website of the event (in French).
