A Pastry Shop Tour of Paris

Paris is the city for lovers  pastry lovers, that is. I have several recommendations as to where to go and what to eat. These are given in no particular order. Plot them on a map of Paris and get to work. It's a labor of love :)

• Laduree (on rue Royal, the original location). Everyone goes for their macaroons. They are excellent, I agree, but the truly outstanding pastries are two:
• Religieuse, a cream puff full of amazing pastry cream, topped by a smaller one filled by the same cream. Both are gently draped with sugar icing. I'm a purist, so vanilla is my favorite, but most people prefer the rose or violet flavors.
• Gateau St. Honore. We're still on the cream puff theme, but here they are dunked in caramelized sugar which adds a fabulous crunch to the bite. In addition to pastry cream, the lighter-than-air whipped cream topping adds to the whole experience.
• Pierre Herme (on the left bank) is, I believe, the undisputed Roi (king) of French pastries. Experience just entering his shop. It's best done with your eyes closed, so you can fully sense the smell of these magnificent pastries surround you. His best cakes are the surprise (SOOOO chocolate-y) and his St. Honore is phenomenal as well. His Plenitude (a sublime chocolate-caramel creation) is not to be missed.
• Angelina's (by the Louvre) is well known for its hot chocolate. Don't miss it, but don't deprive yourself of the pastry assortment either. It's old fashioned, but the execution is flawless. Most people's favorite is the Mont Blanc, a creation based on chestnut puree. If you don't like chestnuts their Mille Feuille (Napoleon) is perfectly serviceable.
• Pain de Sucre. This tiny storefront offers a stunning array of fruit pastries. In addition to tarts and a heavenly pineapple éclair don't miss the Ephimere, a meringue base covered with coconut and black-current flavors. Even the chocolate pound cake is delicious!
• Laurent Duchene. This patisserie is an outstanding example of modern French pastry making. From the molten chocolate cake to the all coffee pastry which happily combines soft cake, cream and mousse, the experience is stunning.
• Bon Marche. This is a large department store on the left bank, and their food hall should not be missed. A highlight is the pastry shop, where the cake is Le Gateau (the cake), a towering square of pistachio cake, milk and dark chocolate mousses and raspberry jelly, all enrobed in a chocolate box. I also love the Yuzu Mania, but that's because I really enjoy Yuzu, that Japanese citrus fruit that's gained popularity in savory dishes in recent years (Thomas Keller has two yuzu trees in his garden). It's a beautiful ivory cake decorated with raspberry brushes, and the presentation is stunning. Inside you will find sponge cake, yuzu cream and line mousse. My mouth waters just thinking about it.
• Berthillion. Paris' ice cream palace also offers an outstanding selection of pastries. Their tarts are especially coveted.
• Storher. This patisserie is on a pedestrian street, and the pastry display is gorgeous. The shop goes back to the 18th century, and executes traditional desserts, especially the Chiboust (cream puff pastry filled with lightened pastry cream and drizzled with caramel) and the Puits d'amour (the well of love, where vanilla cream gets caramelized with a crunchy sugar topping using ancient and secret technique) are the finest in town.