Paris has no shortage of pastry shops that make their way onto every “must-try” list, but Cédric Grolet Le Meurice is one I’ve enjoyed visiting more than once.
If you’re already planning to spend time around Place Vendôme, the Tuileries, or the Louvre, it’s an easy stop to add to your day. The pastries are beautiful and insanely creative, not to mention delicious!
This is my personal guide to Cédric Grolet Le Meurice, including how to find the boutique, when to go, whether you should order ahead, and where I like to enjoy the pastries once I have them.
What Is Cédric Grolet Le Meurice?
Cédric Grolet joined the pastry team at Le Meurice in 2011 and became head pastry chef in 2012. He was named the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2018, and that same year, he opened his first boutique at 6 Rue de Castiglione, just around the corner from the hotel.
The Le Meurice boutique is best known for Grolet’s sculpted fruit pastries, which are made to look remarkably like the fruits that inspired them. The selection changes with the seasons, but you may find creations inspired by hazelnut, mango, pistachio, yuzu, raspberry, apple, and other fruits and ingredients.
The boutique is different from Cédric Grolet Opéra, which is located at 35 Avenue de l’Opéra. The two locations have different concepts, so it’s worth paying attention when you’re searching for directions. Le Meurice is the address to visit if you’re looking for the famous fruit-shaped pastries.
How to Find Cédric Grolet Le Meurice
The boutique is located at 6 Rue de Castiglione in the 1st arrondissement.
It’s just around the corner from the main entrance to Le Meurice on Rue de Rivoli. The pastry shop has its own street-facing entrance, so you do not need to enter the hotel to purchase pastries.
If you’re coming from the Tuileries, Place Vendôme, or Rue de Rivoli, it’s an easy walk.
Opening Hours
Cédric Grolet Le Meurice is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The boutique is closed Monday and Tuesday.
One thing to keep in mind is that the shop can close once the last pastries of the day have sold, so I would check the current hours before heading over, particularly if you’re visiting later in the afternoon.
Should You Order Ahead?
If there’s a particular pastry you really want to try, I would recommend using their online ordering platform, Click & Collect.
This allows you to pre-order your pastries and choose a pickup time. This is especially helpful because the selection is limited and changes with the season.
You can also simply walk into the boutique and see what’s available that day. I’ve enjoyed doing this when I’m more interested in seeing what catches my eye, but ordering ahead takes away some of the uncertainty if there’s a specific fruit you have your heart set on.
Keep in mind that Click & Collect orders generally need to be placed at least 24 hours in advance.
How Busy Is Cédric Grolet Le Meurice?
The boutique can get busy, particularly around opening time and during popular travel periods.
If you’re visiting without a pre-order and want the widest selection, I would go earlier in the day rather than waiting until the afternoon. The available pastries are limited, and once something sells out, you may not have another opportunity to get it that day.
This is one of those places where I think having a little flexibility helps. If you’re not set on one particular pastry, you can simply see what is available when you arrive.
What Should You Order?
The sculpted fruit pastries are the reason most people come to Cédric Grolet Le Meurice, and they’re what I would try first.
Individual fruit pastries currently run around €18, although the selection and prices change with the season. Inside, the pastries can include mousse, fruit, caramel, praline, or other fillings depending on the particular creation.
The boutique also sells other pastries and treats, including madeleines and brioche Bundt cakes. These can be a good option if you want to try a variety of items.
Because the menu changes, I’d take a look at the current selection online before your visit if there’s something specific you’re hoping to try.
Tea Time at Le Dalí
If you'd rather sit down and enjoy Cédric Grolet's pastries instead of taking them to go, you can book Tea Time at Restaurant Le Dalí inside Le Meurice.
The experience includes savory bites, seasonal fruit, Cédric Grolet's sculpted fruit pastries, other sweet treats, and your choice of tea, coffee, latte, or hot chocolate. Currently, the Tea Time is €95 per person, so it's a bit of a splurge but a special experience during a trip to Paris.
Tea Time is by reservation only, so this is something I would plan ahead if you know you want the sit-down experience. The current schedule is Monday through Saturday from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m., with a shorter Sunday service from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.
The Cédric Grolet Le Meurice itself does not have seating, so if you want to enjoy the pastries inside Le Meurice, this is the experience to book.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
The pastries are beautiful, but there are a few practical things I'd keep in mind before adding Cédric Grolet to your Paris itinerary.
First, check the current hours before you go. The boutique is closed Monday and Tuesday, and it can close once the day's pastries have sold.
Second, order through Click & Collect if you have your heart set on a particular pastry. The selection is limited and seasonal, so there's no guarantee that the one you saw online will still be available when you arrive.
And finally, be prepared for the price. At around €18 for an individual sculpted pastry, they are small works of art and priced accordingly. For me, though, it's also one of those fun Paris experiences that feels worth doing at least once.
Where to Enjoy Your Pastries
My favorite way to enjoy Cédric Grolet is to take the pastries to the nearby Tuileries Garden.
The garden is just across from this part of Rue de Castiglione, so you can easily walk over with your box and find a chair where you can sit and enjoy your pastry while taking in the gardens and the people passing by.
I especially like this option because it turns the pastry into more of an afternoon experience rather than simply something you pick up and carry back to your hotel.
Afterward, you’re also in a great location for continuing on toward Place Vendôme, Rue Saint-Honoré, or the Louvre.
Final Thoughts on Cédric Grolet Le Meurice
I had followed Cédric Grolet's work on Instagram for years, so I was curious to see what the pastries were actually like in person. After multiple visits, I can report it's a fun addition to any Paris itinerary.
The sculpted fruits are obviously the main attraction, and seeing them in person is part of the experience. I also like that the Le Meurice location fits so easily into a day spent around the Tuileries, Place Vendôme, and Rue Saint-Honoré.
If you want to try Cédric Grolet, my advice is fairly simple: check the hours, order ahead if there’s a particular pastry you want, and give yourself some time to enjoy it rather than treating it as just another item to check off your Paris list.
FAQs
Is Cédric Grolet Le Meurice the same as Cédric Grolet Opéra?
No. They are two separate locations with different concepts. Cédric Grolet Le Meurice is at 6 Rue de Castiglione and is known for the chef's sculpted fruit pastries. Cédric Grolet Opéra is at 35 Avenue de l’Opéra and focuses on his flower-shaped pastries and other baked creations.
Do I need a reservation to buy pastries?
No. You can walk into the Le Meurice boutique and purchase whatever is available that day. If you want to make sure you get a particular pastry, Click & Collect is a better option.
The separate Tea Time experience at Restaurant Le Dalí is reservation-only.
What are the opening hours?
Cédric Grolet Le Meurice is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. The boutique may close earlier if the day's pastries sell out.
How much do Cédric Grolet pastries cost?
Individual sculpted pastries at the Le Meurice boutique are currently around €18, although prices and the selection can change with the seasons.
Is Cédric Grolet worth the price?
For me, yes. It’s definitely a splurge, but if you enjoy pastry, beautiful food, or simply want to try something that is particularly associated with Paris right now, I think it makes for a fun travel experience.
