A walk through the Montorgueil quarter

We suggest you spend about two hours walking around the Montorgueil quarter: the passage du Grand Cerf and the rue Montorgueil, pausing several times for fine food.

The passage du Grand Cerf

This arcade has been covered since 1825, and is bathed in the atmosphere of another time. From what is on sale at a score of artisans’ and artists’ shops, you realize you are in a different world from ordinary consumerism. There is a village atmosphere here. Haberdashers, jewellers, hatters and cabinetmakers work side by side in a village atmosphere.

It is 135 meters long but you would like it to be longer because the stroll is delightful and what you discover is charming.

At the far end of the arcade you can pause for a while. You have two options:

• The “Pas sage” wine bar which serves cheese, cold cuts of meat, stracciatella di burrata, sardinillas, pasterma and other delicacies to accompany the wine of your choice. (The bar opens at 5.00 p.m.)
• The “Pas sage” restaurant offers bistro style meals.   

On leaving the arcade, turn left into the pleasant rue Tiquetone, then head for the rue Montorgueil.

The rue Montorgueil

This street contains many food shops, street cafes and restaurants that appeal to Parisian “bobos”. Why not relax at one of these street tables for coffee or lunch?   

It is worth going out of your way for the Stohrer pastry shop at number 51. This pastry shop is the oldest in Paris. In 1725, Louis XV married Marie Leszczynska, the daughter of King Stanislaus of Poland. Stohrer, her pastry cook, followed her to Versailles and five years later moved to the rue Montorgueil. During the Eighteenth Century, the idea of the pastry shop did not yet exist. Shops provided a whole variety of things.

The Stohrer pastry shop keeps respect for traditional recipes alive and is proud to exclude additives which change the taste or help conserve the products.

You must absolutely try the rum baba, which is the best I’ve ever had. The canelés are wonderful, too. The raspberry pie and almond paste are up there with them. A very special place not to forget. 

Practical information :

Pâtisserie Stohrer : 51 rue Montorgueil– 75002 Paris

Open 7 days a week from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Site web : http://stohrer.fr/

Le Pas Sage : 1, passage du Grand Cerf – 75002 Paris

Restaurant: open from 12 noon to 2.30 p.m. and from 7.00 p.m. to 10.30 pm

Bar: open from 5.00 p.m. onwards

From Monday to Saturday