Paris's Queer Bakery LeGay Choc: Still Magical
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It’s all about “la baguette magique” at Paris’s kitschiest bakery, LeGay Choc. But what’s not obvious about this bakery is that, in fact, it’s really pretty good.
The brand had another, larger store in the Marais that closed, a victim of the continued gentrification in the neighborhood. We’re super thrilled that the bakery lives on along rue Rambuteau, still in the heart of the gay district.
The “baguette magique” is the iconic (well, to us anyway) phallic-shaped bread that the shop sells. You won’t notice it immediately when walking by the pink storefront in the Marais.
But once you see it, you cant unsee it!
The baguettes are fun for parties and picnics, but we want you to know that there is more to this queer bakery than some penis-shaped baguettes.
Almond viennoiserie: A favorite here are their almond croissants and pain au chocolat. They aren’t too delicate and fussy, but rather big, powdered- sugar-covered delights that don’t worry about calories. If you’re going to do one, go big, and Le Gay Choc brings the size.
Lunch prix-fixe: For takeaway lunch deals (to eat in the park or down by the river), LeGay Choc has you covered. A sandwich, pastry, and drink will clock in at around 12 euros or so, making it an affordable option. And the sandwiches are big, so there’s no fear of going hungry after.
Cookies (sablés): OK, they’re also in the form of penises, but these thin, crumbly cookies are the perfect snack if you want to grab something that’s not as flaky or heavy as a pastry. And they make great gifts if you can manage not to eat them before going home.
Quiche: It’s not all about sweets here. Good, traditional bakeries have a few savories thrown in, and the mini quiches are great for grab-and-go lunches or picnics. They aren’t frilly gourmet creations —the prices remind you of that—but they are deeply satisfying in the way that a quiche should be.
Croissants: If a bakery can’t do a classic correctly, well, we’ll never go back. But in addition to really decent bread (when not shaped like a penis, too!), LeGay Choc does solid chocolate and regular croissants. You won’t see them splattered on the best-of lists, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t tested and true.
To be honest, we like our pastries and baked goods to feel homemade and not glazed to the heavens with Instagram polish. LeGay Choc gives you the real thing, and that’s why we keep going back!
