03.04.09
Poilâne
Strolling past the Poilâne bakery at 8 rue du Cherche-Midi, a photograph was irresistible. I guess it was my way of enjoying the bread vicariously. Instead of wearing it, I took a photo. Perhaps, this was a more enjoyable memory in the long run. (Though, I have definitely enjoyed eating the bread on several other occasions!)
Ever the curious tourist, I wanted to know more about this bakery. It seemed everywhere I looked its name was popping up in specialty shops or being advertised as the bread of choice on different restaurant menus. I discovered that Poilâne was a bit of a new kid on the block compared to some of the more ancient establishments.
It was 1932 when Pierre Poilâne left Normandy to open his shop in Paris. The Cherche-Midi store was his first location. In the artsy Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, the competition was fierce. When he began, there were five bakeries on the street. Now, there is only Poilâne. At last count, the Poilâne bakeries were producing over 10,000 loaves a day for their shops, retailers, and restaurants that offer their breads!
To learn more about the interesting history of Poilâne, visit their website: http://www.poilane.fr/