Choix de petit-déjeuner

Rush Hour in Beaumont

It seems like rush hour as I drive to Beaumont. I’ve passed five cars on my five-minute drive, and that’s four more than normal! As I drive into the Bastide town square, there are cars parked all along the roads, and it’s a hive of activity. What is going on? I park up and stroll up the narrow streets towards my destination. The church looks stunning set against the early morning sun. I turn right and notice that everyone seems to be heading to the same place.

The usually tranquil bastide village, which buzzes when the restaurants and bars are open, is buzzing for a different reason: the patisserie is open. The bread is fresh and hot, and the smell of pastries drifts by. It’s eight o’clock in the morning, and the day here in rural France begins with a visit to the patisserie for fresh bread and pastries.

Beautiful church in Beaumont du Perigord

Bread and pastries

Now for the difficult bit, and things here don’t get much more complex than this: what to choose! Bread is straightforward – Peter loves French baguettes, but for me, it needs to be something with seeds or nuts. I’ll have both. Ronde ou longue?

In the queue, I have one ear to the conversation between the customers and the assistant, trying to tune into the buzz of chit chat going on. My French is not good enough to pick up the excited and enthusiastic chat at great speed of the conversation, but the general vibe is that life is tres jolie!

My eyes, however, are now scanning the three well-stocked display cabinets – the morning pastries, the lunchtime snacks and then the cakes…ah, the cakes! Choices, choices, choice.

Outside the patisserie in Beaumont du Perigord

Amazing cakes

I’m there to pick up some breakfast patisserie, but maybe I can also add in a croque monsieur or a savoury pastry or even a filled baguette for lunch? Well, maybe, but then could I also justify some of the amazing cakes they have on display?

There are so many to choose from and they all look delicious…. I’m dreaming of the Paris Brest, filled with delicious praline; the chocolate covered opera cake with its delicious coffee buttercream; the Napoleon with the crisp layers of mille-feuille; the clafoutis with its crème anglaise and cherry filling; and standing tall in the shelf behind if the amazing centrepiece the croquembouche, a tower of caramel glazed profiteroles. I’m mesmerised!

Wonderful bread and pastry selection in the patisserie

Gateaux distractions

I’m drawn back to reality … “Bonjour, Madame”.

I order my two loaves of bread. That’s easy… now for the breakfast pastries…. Croissants, chouquettes, pain au raison, chocolatines, pain Suisse, financiers. I’ve at least narrowed it down to six, but still don’t know which one I’m going to settle for. That’s what happens when you let les gateaux distract you. I order two of each.

Decision finally made, I head back clutching my purchases in two paper bags and inhaling the wonderful aroma deeply as I meander back to the car. I decided not to have cakes or lunchtime pastries. I was, after all, there to get breakfast for our four guests who were staying with us (under the pretext of a business meeting…. Really!) I’ve decided. I’m going to taste them all!

Beautiful cake selection in the patiesserie

Best meal of the day

Breakfast here is one of the best meals of the day when it includes fresh bread and pastries from our patisserie, Mamy Clafouty.

Add in a little fruit and yoghurt, and some local honey to make it a little bit healthy, and of course, a hot mug of milky coffee. The coffee is essential as there is nothing nicer than dipping your bread or chouquette into your coffee a la France to set you up for the day.

Breakfast over, I’m now wishing I’d bought une tarte aux pommes for dinner. A good reason to get up early tomorrow.