La Maison Stohrer – A Patisserie Rich with History

La Maison Stohrer – A Patisserie Whose History is as rich as its Desserts:

The French are famous as pastry chefs and if you have a sweet tooth and a love of history, you’ll want to make tracks for La Maison Stohrer on your Paris holiday.

Situated at 51, rue Montorgueil in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement, La Maison Stohrer is one of Paris’ oldest and most revered patissiers and caterers. The elaborate frescoes and carvings of the storefront and interior are impressive and the shop is now classified as an historical building. The paintings inside are done by painter Paul Baudry who also painted the inside of the Paris Opera. But wait till you see the range of pastries inside.

Pastry Chef to the King

La Maison Stohrer is no ordinary patissier. When Marie Leszczynska, daughter of King Stanislas of Poland, married King Louis XV in 1725, the pastry chef that followed the royal party to the court of Versailles was Nicolas Stohrer. Five years later, in 1730, Nicolas Stohrer opened his pastry shop in Paris at 51, rue Montorgueil.

The Creation of Rum Baba

Nicolas Stohrer trained at Wissembourg in the kitchens of King Stanislas of Poland. Now, anyone who likes Rum Baba or Le Baba au Rhum, will be interested to know that it was Nicolas Stohrer who invented this dessert, thanks to a dry Polish brioche that King Stanislas had on a journey. Nicolas Stohrer enriched the dry brioche by sprinkling it with a wine of Malaga, flavouring it with the saffron and then adding to it cream pâtissière and dried fresh grapes. King Stanislas who was reading Tales from 1001 Arabian Nights at the time baptised this new cake the Ali-Baba.

Rum Baba at La Maison Stohrer

Stohrer’s Rhum Baba has made it through the ages without change and today Rum Baba is still served in cafes, coffee houses and restaurants the world over. At La Maison Stohrer you can have four varieties of Rum Baba – Baba with natural rum, Ali-Baba with cream pâtissière and raisins, Baba Chantilly with red berries and the original Ali Baba with the saffron.

Fit for a Queen

Whilst La Maison Stohrer is one of the oldest establishments of Paris, the house is known to combine innovative baking whilst maintaining the traditional recipes. The establishment has been run by François Duthu and Pierre Lienard since 1986 and they employ about thirty staff today. When Queen Elizabeth II visited the Montorgueil district in April 2004, she was presented with an Easter egg by Mr. Duthu.

La Maison Stohrer is open 7 days a week from 07:30 – 20:30. They close for two weeks annual holidays during the first two weeks of August.

Rue Montorgueil Market

Rue Montorgueil is one of Paris’ oldest market streets and although it is smack in the center of the city, it retains a small village atmosphere. It’s a pedestrian-only zone lined with some of the city’s best fish, produce, and fine grocery shops. Shopkeepers here are known for their enthusiasm and their old-world practices and when you visit don’t be surprised to hear cries (or even songs) announcing their fresh produce for sale.

Address:
La Maison Stohrer
51, rue Montorgueil, Paris 75002

Map of Paris:

75002 Paris, France

Things to do in Paris

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