YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT FRENCH PICNIC - WHAT TO GRAB FROM THE BAKERY?
The best kind of picnic is the one that is not planned. You just make an impromptu plan with your loved ones and enjoy the spring and late summer season. A quiet spot under the tree, a soft blanket, and fresh pastries. Doesn’t it sound like the ultimate dream? The secret to a perfect French picnic begins inside a French bakery. You do not need a lot of things to have a good picnic. Just a few French desserts from your very own Madeline bakery, something buttery to nibble on, a few drinks and you are good to go. The goal is not perfection, it is pleasure. You can also ask our wonderful bakers and they will guide you with all the essentials that you need for a good picnic. Trust us; there is no need for any complication. A French picnic is calm and soothing and very easy to administer.
The first thing that you should grab is a baguette. What is more French than a baguette? Grab it in the morning, if it is still warm, you are very lucky. Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. Just tear it apart with your hands, no knives are needed. That is how we French do it. Add a slice of ham and cheese, or a little bit of fig jam maybe, and bite onto it. Trust us, you will be transported to France after that.
After a baguette, you can grab something savory — a quiche maybe. The golden crust with the cream filling. There is nothing that beats a classic quiche. The spinach and cheese ones are just going to set the tone right when you are under the sun, relaxing.
For something sweet, go for tarts. We have all sorts of flavors displayed, so grab whichever one speaks to you. Every tart is made with love and warmth, and we look forward to adding that fruity charm to the picnic. While pain au chocolat is not a typical picnic dessert sitting under the sun, the piece of chocolate within the layers will just make the day a thousand times better.
In the end, do not forget the originals — croissants. With the many layers, they taste better with each bite. It never hurts to have one more.
The best part? You don’t need a plan. You just walk into the bakery and follow your nose, your eyes, maybe your mood. Let the colors guide you. The smell of butter and sugar and fresh bread does the rest. A little of this. A little of that. You pack it all up in a basket or a paper bag and head for the grass.
The French know that meals are not just about food. They’re about pause. About time shared. About letting the day linger a little longer, with good bread in your hands and no rush to be anywhere. Come visit us and take your favorite desserts for an amazing outing.