In food-loving Paris, it\u2019s a playground for pastry.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I may have come to Paris twelve years ago as a dedicated student of linguistics and French literature but I quickly learned I\u2019d need to learn another language entirely to fully immerse myself in the culture\u2014the language of pastry. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it was by focusing my attention on all manner of French pastry, classic and modern, that my love story with Paris blossomed beyond the books. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The art of French pastry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boulangeries<\/span><\/i><\/a>, p\u00e2tisseries <\/span><\/i>and specialty food shops dot nearly every street corner in Paris. They are the lifeblood of Parisian street life as much any corner caf\u00e9 or brasserie and while they appear to trade in the most obvious of sweet pleasures\u2014from morning pastries like <\/span>croissants<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>pain aux amandes<\/span><\/i> to the more refined confections like the <\/span>Saint-Honor\u00e9 <\/span><\/i>or the \u00e9clair\u2014their value goes far beyond instant gratification. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n