Pierre Hermé launches an ephemeral viennoiserie pop-up at Galeries Lafayette

Pierre Hermé tackles Viennese pastries with an ephemeral pop-up at Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet, from September 2 to October 2, 2025. This exclusive gourmet counter, in Paris's 9th arrondissement, will unveil new creations that revisit French classics married to the great pastry chef's flagship creations.

If you're hanging around the Grands Boulevards over the next few weeks, we've got some good news for you. Pierre Hermé has set up his little pastry stand in front of Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet until October 2, 2025. If you like his creations, it's well worth the detour. The pastry chef has decided to take on our morning croissants and pains au chocolat, and the result is rather successful.

You're probably familiar with Pierre Hermé, the Alsatian pastry chef who has been making a name for himself for years with his macaroons. After honing his skills at Lenôtre and then Fauchon, he set up his own company in 1997. Today, he's back to basics with this selection of viennoiseries that are a world away from the ordinary. Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet gave him carte blanche, and it's fair to say he made the most of it.

The Infiniment Vanille Palm at 4 euros, for example, is still a palm tree, but with three varieties of vanilla inside. Madagascar, Tahiti, Mexico... You can really feel the difference. It's gourmand without being too heavy, perfect with a morning coffee.

The Montebello Croissant at 3.80 euros combines pistachio and raspberry. It's really very good, a lovely combination that we really enjoyed. The pistachio adds character and the raspberry awakens the whole. It works well together.

For the Pain au chocolat Mogador at 4 euros, Pierre Hermé has added passion fruit to milk chocolate. It's original and a change from the classic, even if we admit we're still attached to our traditional version. But hey, every now and then, why not.

The Ispahan Croissant at 3.80 euros is the most surprising. If you're familiar with Pierre Hermé's famous pink-litchi-raspberry macaron, imagine it in a croissant version. It's flowery, it's delicate, and it's pretty crazy. Not for every day, but for once, it might be fun.

There's also a Kouign Amann at 4 euros for lovers of caramelized butter, an apple Chausson at 3.50 euros, which reminds us of the ones at the corner bakery, only better, and a Pain au chocolat et pistache at 4 euros. And for those who prefer to stick to the classics, there's the Croissant nature at 2.70 euros, well made, just as it should be.

Last but not least, there's the enormous apple turnover, which doesn't cry out for caramelization. Long and crisp, it's sure to please butter lovers. We would have liked a little more compote, but it all depends on taste.

The pop-up also offers its iconic beverages, such as the Ispagan frappé, reserved for those with a sweet tooth. A worthy accompaniment to your pastries, provided you're patient.

Sure, they're not your usual baker's prices. But it's Pierre Hermé, so we were kind of expecting it. Besides, it's only for a month, just to test it out. If you're on boulevard Haussmann between now and October 2, take a look. Métro Chaussée d'Antin or Opéra or Auber station on the A, it's easy to get to.

All in all, a good idea. Pierre Hermé has stepped out of his macaroon comfort zone to tackle our everyday pastries. The result: creations that make us look at our breakfast differently, without revolutionizing our lives. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.