This is a favorite phrase uttered by pâtisserie [pastry shop] employees all over France. Even if you order just one croissant, the pâtissier [pastry maker] will undoubtedly ask you, “With these?” rather than, “With this?”
So what’s the big idea? The French, you see, are a proud people, and they know they delicious appeal of their pastries. Just by asking, they may get you to buy more. In two short words, they are saying, “You can’t possibly only want one.”
If you are satisfied with your order, you may simply say,
“C’est tout, merci.” - “That’s all, thank you.”
Visiting a pâtisserie while in France is a must-do, even if you are only in Paris for a 24-hour business trip. On a longer holiday, I highly recommend my time-tested, self-approved method of trying something from every pâtisserie you come across.
(My personal quest has always been to find who makes the best pain auchocolat. Eating one fresh from the oven is like biting into pure, tangible,gooey happiness.)
Do not be intimidated by the language barrier. An adventurous soul may successfully purchase a pastry without uttering a word; all one needs is two hands: one for pointing at the desired item and the other for indicating the quantity.Of course, a tactful “s’il vous plaît” and “merci” added ontothe end can go a long way.
If you would like to go beyond the basic counting-on-five-fingersmethod and, say, find out what it is you are actually about to sink you teeth into, here are some words and phrases that will be useful to you Pâtisseries Pastries
beignet
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doughnut
brioche
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sweet bread
croissant
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croissant
éclair
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cream-filled pastry
gâteau
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cake
macaron
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meringue-based treat
madeleine
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mini-cake-type cookie
pain au chocolat
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croissant-type pastry with
chocolate inside
tarte
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tart/pie
amandes
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almonds
canelle
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cinnamon
chocolat(e)
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chocolate
citron
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lemon
crème
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cream or custard
fraise
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strawberry
framboise
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raspberry
maxi
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big
menthe
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mint
petit(e)
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small
pistache
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pistachio
sucre
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sugar
vanille
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vanilla
Je peux vous aider?
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Can I help you?
Vous désirez?
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What would you like?
Combien?
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How many?
Un(e) seul(e)?
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Only one?
Avec ceux-ci?
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[What else would you like] with these?
Sans soucis.
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No problem.
Frais (fraîche) du four.
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Fresh from the oven.
Quelque chose à boire?
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Something to drink?
Sur place ou à emporter?
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For here or to go?
Bonne journée, au revoir.
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Have a good day, good-bye.
Oui, merci.
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Yes, thank you.
Non, merci.
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No, thank you.
Qu’est-ce que c’est (que ça)?
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What is that (there)?
Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dedans?
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What does it have inside?
Je voudrais… s’il vous plait.
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I would like… please.
Y en a-t-il un(e) qui est chaud(e)?
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Is there a hot one?
Puis-j’en avoir un(e) qui est frais/fraîche?
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May I have a fresh one?
Avez-vous un micro-onde?
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Do you have a microwave?
Pourriez-vous le/la rechauffer?
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Could you reheat it?
C’est parfait.
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That’s perfect.
C’est tout, merci.
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That’s all, thank you.
A vous aussi, au revoir.
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You too, good-bye.
You probably noticed that I skipped the whole pesky payment bit, but that’s a lesson for another day, and thankfully there are cash registers to display the price for you.
(If you are completely flummoxed, the counting-on-five-fingers-method can easily make a comeback.)
Enjoy your treats, and know that many pâtisseries make espresso on site, so pop in for breakfast and be sure to add,
“…et un café noir, s’il vous plait,” -to the end of your order.
Anne has studied and spoken French for over a decade and has lived in both France and Francophone Cameroon. She strives to write lessons that reflect her real experiences and represent the way people really speak.
Anne has studied and spoken French for over a decade and has lived in both France and Francophone Cameroon. She strives to write lessons that reflect her real experiences and represent the way people really speak.
