At place de la Madeleine stands one of the city's most popular sights -- not the church, but Fauchon, a hyper-upscale mega-delicatessen that thrives within a city famous for its finicky eaters. In the original store (26 Place de la Madeleine) you'll find a pâtissier and boulangerie, for breads and pastries, and a traiteur, for fresh produce including cheeses, terrines, pâtés, caviar, and fruits. Prices are steep, but the inventories -- at least to serious foodies -- are without equal. The selection of cakes is mouth-watering; try one of their famous éclairs, with new flavor combinations each season. Or a Paris-Brest, a ring in the shape of a bicycle wheel that's loaded with pastry cream, almond praline, butter cream, and hazelnut paste capped with almonds. At the second, neighboring address (30 Place de la Madeleine), you'll discover an épicerie (for jams, crackers, pastas, and exotic canned goods), a confiserie selling chocolates and confectionary, a wine cellar, plus two dining areas (a casual basement lunch space La Cantine and upstairs more formal dining at Le Café). At some of the counters, you'll indicate to attendants what you want from behind glass display cases and get an electronic ticket, which you'll carry to a caisse (cash register). Surrender your tickets, pay the bill, and then return to the counter to pick up your groceries. In other cases, you simply load up a shopping basket with whatever you want and pay for your purchases at a cash register, just as you would at any grocery store. Open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 7pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
