The signature eclairs of Christophe Adam’s patisserie L’Éclair De Génie in Paris (Photo: Lisa Marie)

The signature eclairs of Christophe Adam’s patisserie L’Éclair De Génie in Paris (Photo: Lisa Marie)

Paris

Where to Find the Best Éclair in Paris

Christophe Adam literally wrote the book on éclairs. In fact, the Parisian chef has published seven on the subject. This is, after all, a man who trained alongside cronut-creator Dominique Ansel at France’s legendary Fauchon culinary institution.

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Christophe Adam’s Paris patisserie L’Éclair De Génie.
Christophe Adam’s Paris patisserie L’Éclair De Génie has set a standard for the perfect eclair. (Photo: Lisa Marie)
Éclair making.
Making the day’s eclairs inside L’Éclair De Génie. (Photo: Lisa Marie)

There’s almost always a long line at Adam’s patisserie L’Éclair De Génie, where the sweet smell of chocolate and perfect rows of glistening éclairs draw customers in from the streets. Every month, locals flock for flavors including best-selling salted caramel, citrus yuzu and vanilla cream alongside innovative creations like the winter-inspired dark chocolate with mascarpone cream. They are breathtakingly simple and totally delicious. Each one is baked and decorated on-site and on any given Saturday, his sweet-toothed obsession reaches fever pitch: he can sell up to 4,000 éclairs across the six Parisian outposts of L’Éclair.

Chocolate assortment at L’Eclair De Genie.
L’Eclair De Genie also offers up a decadent assortment of chocolates. (Photo: Lisa Marie)
Sweet offerings inside L'Eclair De Genie in Paris.
An assortment of sweet offerings inside L’Eclair De Genie in Paris. (Photo: Lisa Marie)

Since launching the first gallery-like store in the Marais in 2012, Adam has insisted on gastronomic experimentation. Twice a year, he releases new hybrids that keep visitors guessing. Watch out for chilled éclair ice cream flavor and the meringue flavor, with cloud-like shards of sugary goodness peppering the glaze. Heads up: Adam has recently launched a range of gorgeous caramels, chocolate bars and truffles under the moniker L’Epicerie De Genie.

Marriott explored Paris’ L’Éclair de Génie as part of a collaboration with VSCO’s photographers to create city guides for Paris; Berlin; Cairo; Taipei; and Portland, Ore.

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Where to Find L’Éclair de Génie:

• 14 rue Pavée, 75004 Paris
• Tel: +33 1 42 77 85 11
• Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.