As promised in my post on the Paris Olympics, I’m following up with a little history lesson on bread – specifically, the world-renowned sourdough from Poilâne bakery on 8, Rue du Cherche-Midi in Paris. Our visit was extra special, thanks to Sudeep Rangi, a lovely man we connected with through mutual friends. Sudeep, who hails from Louisiana, now lives and works in Paris alongside his partner, Apollonia Poilâne, the third-generation owner of Poilâne who carries on a rich family tradition. (Fun fact: Sudeep and Apollonia met while bike riding and still share a passion for cycling.)
Sudeep was kind enough to give us an in-depth tour of the bakery, diving into the history behind Poilâne’s signature bread. It all started in 1932 when Pierre Poilâne, grandfather to Apollona, opened the bakery. His mission was simple but radical for the time: to bring back traditional bread making methods in contrast to the rising popularity of a certain white bread made with refined flour (the baguette). Pierre believed that bread’s nutritional benefits and flavor should come from natural ingredients and ancient techniques. Bread was more than just sustenance, but a craft. A man ahead of his time it seems.
And so, Poilâne bread was born: a large round rustic sourdough loaf made with stone-ground flour, natural leavening, and baked in a wood-fired oven and marked with the signature “P”. One of the defining qualities of the bread is its deep, flavorful crust and dense, chewy interior, which comes from using a centuries-old fermentation process and wood-fired baking. A highlight was seeing the enormous three hundred year old wood-burning over, which I understand needs to stay continuously lit (except for the rare occasion for maintenance and repair).
Sudeep also introduced us to a variety of other delectable items they offer, such as their famous punitions, or butter cookies. Named after the French word for “punishments,” these small shortbread cookies are a must-try! Also, don’t miss their apple tarts…I still dream about them.
One of the most intriguing parts of the tour was learning about the connection between Apollonia’s father, Lionel, and the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, a frequent customer and good friend. Dalí once commissioned Lionel to make a chandelier made entirely of bread, proving that bread could also be an artistic medium. To this day, Poilâne keeps a replica of the chandelier (although it must be remade periodically to stay fresh).
Apollonia took over the family business after Lionel and his wife, Irena, tragically passed away in a helicopter accident. Despite this weight of responsibility, she has managed to uphold the family legacy while maintaining the bakery’s global reputation.
Poilâne ships its famous sourdough bread, punitions, and other baked goods worldwide. They offer a selection of their signature loaves, such as their traditional sourdough, rye bread, walnut bread, and more. You can visit their official website here to browse their products and place an order for delivery to many international destinations. In addition to the store in Paris, Poilâne has a retail store in London.
This tour was an unexpected and extraordinary opportunity. I hope, in some small way, I’ve inspired you to think about the kind of bread you choose to stock your pantry with. And if you ever find yourself in Paris, I highly encourage you to visit Poilâne and experience just how remarkable it is. xoM
