Founded in 1932 by Pierre Poilâne in the bohemian quarter of Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés, Boulangerie Poilâne has become a Parisian institution of artisanal sourdough baking. From the start, Pierre exchanged bread for art, and some paintings still adorn the shop walls around a chandelier made of bread. The signature miche is hand‑shaped using stone‑ground wheat flour, natural sourdough, Guérande sea salt, and baked in a traditional wood‑fired oven.

His son Lionel took over in the 1970s, expanding the bakery internationally and building a production facility in Bièvres to uphold the same craftsmanship across thousands of loaves daily. He refined a concept he called “retro‑innovation” — merging tradition and innovation without compromise.

After Lionel’s tragic death in 2002, his daughter Apollonia, just 18 and a student at Harvard, assumed leadership, running the business across continents while opening new shops in Paris and London, launching e‑commerce, and authoring a cookbook sharing the bakery’s secrets.

Today, the original location at 8 Rue du Cherche‑Midi remains the heart of Poilâne. Its red brick façade and display window featuring loaves, biscuits (“Punitions”), apple tarts and other special breads welcome visitors into an intimate interior of wood, stone, linen and art. The adjoining café, Comptoir Poilâne, serves generous tartines, salads and light meals in a warm, convivial setting.

Visitors come for history, authenticity and quality: loyal Parisians, artists, cultured tourists and food lovers all appreciate the unique flavor and direct link to French art de vivre. Legendary anecdotes, like Salvador Dalí requesting furniture made of bread for his hotel suite, highlight the bakery’s artistic soul.

Practical details: Poilâne is open Monday to Saturday from 07:15 to 20:00 (closed Sundays, some holidays 08:00–19:00). Wheelchair accessible, multilingual staff, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot for an authentic breakfast, refined snack or gourmet gift. Their apple tart (~3.15 €) and Punitions shortbread cookies delight even the most discerning palates.