One of my favorite spots at Epcot, and probably a favorite of many of you, is the Boulangerie Patisserie located in the France Pavilion. What better place is there to indulge in such decadence? Artistic delights to tantalize the taste buds.
Located toward the back of the France Pavilion, this is the spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre, one of the trio of chefs who oversee “Chefs de France” and “Bistro de Paris” was responsible for many of the creations available at Boulangerie Patisserie. Sadly, he passed away this past January, but his temptations live on in this wonderful sidewalk café.
Be forewarned, this eatery becomes busy early in the day and remains so until closing. Either arrive at opening, or be prepared to wait in line.
Most people miss the small baking displays near the doors they’re so busy to get to the gooey concoctions. It’s worth your time to take a moment and look at how beautifully this café is decorated.
Once you’re fully inside this pastry shop, your eyes widen and your mouth begins to water. Ahead are cakes, tarts, turnovers, éclairs, cream puffs, and much, much more. The Napoleon is my favorite, but I always get powdered sugar all over myself. After you’ve made up your mind, all you have to do is point and a charming French cast member will be happy to place your selection on a paper plate and tray.
Although luscious desserts are the primary draw at Boulangerie Patisserie, a cheese plate and various meat-filled croissants and baguettes are also available. These are perfect if you’re in the mood for a light meal.
Here is the current menu.
There are two sides/lines and two cash registers. It’s at the register that you order your beverage. Besides the usual Coke products, cappuccino, espresso, and a few other tasty concoctions are for sale.
After you pay, don’t forget to pick up napkins, knives, forks, spoons, and other necessary condiments found on an antique table near the exit.
There are numerous tables right outside the Boulangerie Patisserie. On a pleasant day, it doesn’t take too much imagination to make believe you’re actually in Paris enjoying your taste treat on a quiet street.
However, these tables fill up quickly and sometimes it’s difficult to secure one. If you discover that all of them are occupied, don’t despair, more are available just inside the Souvenirs de France shop. Actually, on a hot day, these inside tables are a better choice than their outside counterparts as you’ll find air conditioning waiting for you here.
If you look around the interior of this shop, you’ll find it’s been designed to look like a train platform. This is also the same shop that the Impressions de France movie exits into. But this takes place on the other side of this large room so these occasional crowds should not interfere with your meal.
I have to believe that 95% of you have already experienced Boulangerie Patisserie and this blog is nothing more than a pleasant reminder of a pleasant spot. But for that other 5%, this needs to be a “must see” on your next visit to Epcot. I can pretty much guarantee that once you try it, you’ll become a regular customer.
Jack Thanks for the Information,
I will visit that bakery and I will let you know 😉
Anybody knows if there are a place outside Epcot where I can buy the Napoleons or a French Bakery like the Boulangerie Patisserie ??
I will not be able ti visit EPCOT this time, but I will love to eat a good Napoleon as the one that they make.
Jack please let me know!!! Thanks 😉
Jack’s Answer:
There is a bakery at the BoardWalk. But I don’t know specifically what they serve. Other than that, I really don’t have a clue of what to tell you. But I agree, the Napoleons are great!
Im one of the 5% Jack so its on my list of must does this sept, thanks
Thanks for the beautiful photos. I am also a fan of the boulangerie patisserie. My all-time favorite pastry is the peach tart!! It is absolute PERFECTION! I first tried it during a trip to Epcot in 2001. My last 2 trips in 2008 and 2009 were so disappointing — no peach tart (even though it was on the menu)!!! I went early in the day so it wasn’t as though they had run out… The strawberry tart is very good and the apple tart is good but they are no match for the PEACH TART! If anyone from Disney is reading this PLEASE BRING BACK THE PEACH TART! I will be back next year! Merci beaucoup!
Thanks a lot, Jack…here I am hungry, but stuck in Tennessee! Of course, there is a flight to orlando that leaves Nashville around 2… Seriously, thanks for the guidance. I have eaten there before, but next time I will enjoy it so much more because of your insights.
I, too, adore the Napoleons. Does anyone know if the Napoleons at the Magic Kingdom Main Street Bakery are the same ones?
Your blog brought back memories of a favorite dessert from the patisserie that disappeared years agao: chocolate cake with chocolate mousse between the layers and a raspberry glaze on the top. It was soooo good and now it’s gone. I’ll make do with the chocolate mousse instead. Thanks!
Someone asked if the Patisserie had boxes, and the answer is they certainly do! As a former front entrance (and International Gateway) CM, I loved to tease people exiting the park that they were not allowed to leave the park with the French pastries, that they needed to leave the box with the CM…namely ME! Since a guest really cannot leave with alcohol, this was a fun take off of that requirement. I actually had one guest get very disappointed she had to leave her goodies with me, and her family and I were enjoying her reaction. I have never tried the mousse, I need to get back there and try that now!
What a great teaser! We’re going in 5 days and I can’t wait to go back to my favorite place in Epcot. I still love the movie there in “France”, and the treats right next door are among the best in the “world”. I think I’ll try the Chocolate Mousse this time around!
I have never been here but now I’m going! Thank you for all the pictures! It gave me a good perspective as to where it is located. And now I’m hungry!
In 2007, we used our disney snack credits here(one for each dessert). It was indeed the best place to use the snack credit for late morning breakfast, afternoon snack, or dinner dessert! Does anyone know if this is still possible?
Jack’s Answer:
Boulangerie Patisserie is on the Dining Plan and can be either a snack or quick-service, depending on what you order and what plan you’re on.
For more information about the Dining Plan, check out the Allears page on the subject:
http://allears.net/pl/packages.htm#qsd
One of my very favourite things to do at Epcot is to wait until just before twilight, go the Patisserie and order a coffee and napoleon for my husband and a tea and mousse or cake for me, and to bring it down to the lowest platform by the lake. Then we sit and chat with our pastries until it gets dark, and then watch the fireworks. It’s so romantic, because there’s rarely anyone else there until right before Illuminations. Thank you for reminding me of a special memory!
Do they have to-go boxes? I’d love to get some pastries in the evening and take them back to the resort for breakfast for the family (assuming they will last until breakfast!). They will put any quick service breakfast food to shame!
Jack’s Answer:
I don’t know if they have “boxes” per se, but they do have paper plates and bags. This has worked well for me in the past.
Jack,
My son and I have enjoyed the French Pastries now for 7 or 8 years! It is a must-do on our trips to Disney! My son just turned 16 and I am sure he will take his children there when he is older. I will always remember him asking”Are we going to the bakery?” Of course!!! Thanks for the pics!
The first thing we do after the airport taxi drops us at our Paris hotel is to head for a nearby boulangerie and grab a baguette, then stroll down the boulevard snacking. This shop in Epcot is the only place in the US we’ve found where we can do the same thing (note the bagged baguettes stacked vertically between the display cases and the cash registers.). A baguette and cheese plate (and a little vin rouge) make an excellent lunch — though the tables are often filled, there are lots of low walls around the pavilion that are fine for sitting.
first there are hidden mickeys, now we can have a chase looking for when you ”fake” a photo!!! do more!! do more!! at least once per blog…such great fun!! please? love your stuff, jack!!–barb
Jack’s Comment:
I’ve got news for you. I probably have at least one fake picture per blog already — and I’m not talking color correction. For example, the second photo in my Lakeridge Winery blog — the photo looking at the front of the winery. Well, the grass in that picture had numerous dead spots and some pipes sticking up out of the ground. It wasn’t the most flattering picture so I fixed the lawn.
I never try to mislead my readers. But I try to show things in their best light.
I’m glad you’re okay with this.
Thanks for the reminder of how good this place is! The one negative of the dining plan is that I get so many desserts at other places that I never seem to make it back over to this. If I did I could potentially be getting 3 desserts in one day-uggghhhh. My kids however, would say, YUM! I am there on the next trip!
Great pics! I’d just like to mention that everytime we go through there the cast members are always saying “it’s the same on both sides” apparently the line gets longer because people are afraid to miss out and check both sides for everything.
I’d also like to recommend Norway as another option as well. They have great breakfast options (snacks on the dining plan) and their seating area is cool, shaded and fairly large.
Our plans for sept are to hit hollywood studios in the morning and take the boat to epcot in time for some pastry in norway 🙂
Yay!!! This IS one of my favorite spots in Epcot and a must stop during every visit. Thank you for posting photos of it, as just seeing it made me smile. 🙂
This spring I had a strawberry tart from here that was absolutely perfect.
The cheese plate is another family favorite. I won’t call it a light snack, unless it’s shared out among a lot of people, but it’s good if you want a break from fried stuff.
We love the bakery but….where are the Mickey shaped cookies? We checked this year and last year and although they are on the menu, we cannot find them! Nan
Oh Jack, thank you so much for these photos….my husband and I make a point to stop here each and every trip to WDW. We share a Napoleon and get a glass of wine across the way…Heaven on Earth. Great suggestion about stopping here to pick up something for breakfast the next morning…especially as we are staying in the Beach Club Villas in October…
For the past five years (and since our young daughter got her first job), it has become our family’s tradition that Epcot be our last park on our last night, and that my daughter buys us our final dessert from this wonderful bakery. Then we sit and relax and watch everyone hustle out of the park while we enjoy their incredible desserts. Mine is always anything with mousse.
Jack,
Being local, I’m at Disney alot. Somehow we do not make it back in to the shops of France (actually, we never make it past the wonderful frozen alcoholic drinks France has). But next time I am at Epcot I am heading for Boulangerie Patisserie!
We are right with you Jack. We always have at least one visit to Boulangerie Patisserie on our schedule when we go to Walt Disney World.
It is funny, sometimes you will notice some of the Epcot faithful waiting at the ropes for World Showcase to open so they can be one of the first to get to this Bakery & Pastry Shop. What some people will do to avoid a long line.
A little slice of perfection. My personal favorite dessert is the pitherves??SP?
It’s the delight in the middle of the first bakery close up. It doesn’t look like much- but it is almond heaven *and I don’t normally like almond. But this is delicious. I would have never tried it had I not met a worker on line- she was getting a taste of home and it was this. So I thought if it’s good enough for a local it’s good enough for me. mmmmmm. try it.
This is one of our most favorite stops, we always have the cheese plate and then get a glass of wine from the shop across the way!. I am embarrassed to say that for the 15+ years that we have been enjoying our visits to France in Epcot–I NEVER realized that the gift shop was designed as a train platform. Obviously I’ll be checking that out on our next visit in October.
Yes, Jack, I am part of the 95%! We discovered Boulangerie Patisserie a long time ago and now have to get there each trip. A quiche and a Napoleon can be a complete meal – both delicious! It’s my “Dole Whip” tradition done EPCOT style! No must do yet for AK or DHS.
Thanks for teasing us with delicious temptation! The Patisserie is a must-stop every single trip, usually multiple times. And thanks to your detailed pictures, I must now purchasee a new keybord as mineis all wettt from druooolin. Yum!
I loved this blog. France in Epcot has been a spot for my husband and I for 14 years. Even when I stop at the Boulangerie Patisserie without him or see pictures it always makes me smile and think of Adam. Thanks! I did not know about the chairs and tables in the souvenirs shop. We always go and sit around the fountains edge at the pavilions entrance.
A little off topic but not really…when I was younger we would specifically go to Norway for breakfast and I’m sure many people did the same for the French pastries. When did Epcot start opening World Showcase at 11 instead of 9? I know its been a while. Thanks.
Jack’s Answer:
In the first year of operation, Disney played with Epcot’s hours. During busier times, Future World and World Showcase both opened at 9am. During slower periods, World Showcase opened one hour later at 10am. Sometime after their first year, the entire park took on the hours of 9am to 8pm permanently.
The 1996 “Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World” guide book (which would have been writing in 1995), is the first mention I see of the 9-7 hours for Future World and 11-9 hours for World Showcase. Sorry I can’t pin it down any more than that.
YUM! I LOVE THIS PLACE!
Jack you are so right!! We never miss it and usually take a box back to our room full of treats for the week!!! Everything is so good there!!! I always look forward to it! and Now that I have been to Paris my next trip to the Boulangerie will be that much sweeter! Thanks for the memory!
Hi Jack – my parents & I are Disney veterans, but I’m ashamed to say we never tried the French bakery until just a few years ago! What a mistake to wait – the pastries were awesome! And I went with about 30 mins till Illuminations. It was crowded, but the line moved quickly, and I was back to our spot in Morocco in plenty of time. We’re going back to the World in March 2010 & this will be on the list!
Great blog. I was in this shop recently and wondered what a coconut pyramid was, but they were out of them. Do you have any idea what it is and is it in any of your pics?
Jack’s Answer:
I know what you’re talking about, because I’ve seen them in the past. But it doesn’t appear that they were available the day of my visit. I’ve never ordered one so I can’t tell you anything about them. Sorry.
This is a spot my wife and I ALWAYS hit…..She loves the Chocolate Mousse.
It’s also good that you mention the 2 lines, alot of times one side is backed up and being a many timer to the place I get weird looks for going to the other side as others think I am “cutting.”
It is a great place to get a pastry, maybe try a glass of wine and take a break!!!
Thanks again!!! 49 more days for us and we are there!
As usual, an informative and interesting post, Jack! I’m looking forward to trying the pastries out next time we make it to the World. So, I’m curious to know in which pictures you’ve cropped people out of the shot–I tried to figure it out, but to no avail.
Jack’s Comment:
If you look at picture 13 I am looking down the middle of the ‘Boulangerie Patisserie — there is a counter on the right and left side of the picture. At the end of the counters, near the condiments table, were two people. I electronically erased them and replaced them with surrounding, background material. If you look closely, you can see I forgot to add a table leg into the picture.
My original pictures are much larger. I do my editing on these. But when I shrink the pictures for the webpage, a lot of detail is lost so it hides many of the flaws.
I’m afraid I’m in that 5% as well. We’ve poked into the France area a few times, but never found anything striking enough to make us venture further in. We’ll have to check this out!
Hey Jack,
You’ve done it again, haven’t you? Man, the comment list was long this go ’round!
Good job.
It is amazing how a blog can invoke such memories and feelings in people, isn’t it?
Thanks for the little write up on this quick stop eatery. We always eat lunch there when we go in September. My kids like the little pizzas they serve, and I like the ham and cheese sandwiches (nevermind all the desserts they offer)!
Deb
Ok it’s very late and I am now craving one of those delights! We discovered this place after our EPCOT segway tour in Dec and OMG!
I was not an apple turnover fan but I became one that day!
The croissants were amazing! I hate it when they are made to soft on both the inside and outside. The ones at the shop were flakey outside lightly buttered and soft inside. PERFECTION!
HI!
Thank you for this article. Our family is taking a trip this Sept. to Epcot.
The first time for our 4 children. My husband and I have not been since the 80’s! I have been looking at where to have a snack. We are going to be on the dining plan. Are the desert items considered snacks.
Thank you for your work! 🙂
Sharon
Jack’s Answer:
Boulangerie Patisserie is on the Dining Plan and can be either a snack or quick-service, depending on what you order and what plan you’re on.
For more information about the Dining Plan, check out the Allears page on the subject:
http://allears.net/pl/packages.htm#qsd
I ADORE this little corner of the World. I try to get something different each time. The ‘Marvelous’ is amazing and has something akin to a rumball center and is covered in chocolate pastry cream. It’s a sharing dessert.
We love to sit inside for the air conditioning.
Picture #13 is the one you edited the people out of. 🙂
I have never eaten here, but it is now on my list for the next trip we are able to take….everything looks so yummy!
Jack’s Comment:
You’re absolutely right. There were two people standing at the far end of the room and I removed them.
Sharp eye!
I plan to visit the World in early November/December & would like to get a dessert here & enjoy while watching or waiting for Illuminations to begin. When should I get to the bakery to order my pastry to enjoy while watching the show or as I said, wait for it to begin after staking out a perfect spot. What is the best spot by France to see Illuminations?
Jack’s Answer:
Disney says that all spots around the World Showcase Lagoon offer good viewing of Illuminations. For the most part, this is true. But I have several suggestions. Don’t position yourself under a tree. This will block your view of some of the higher fireworks. Also, check which way the wind is blowing. If it’s coming toward you, find another spot. You do not want to be enveloped in smoke. More often than not, it drifts toward the UK and France.
Last time I checked, there were some tables and chairs near the crepes stand in France. However, if you want to secure one of these, you will have to be there an hour before the show — maybe more. Likewise the tables at the Rose & Crown in the UK.
There are a couple of viewing spots between France and the UK that were especially built to see Illuminations. One of these juts out into the lagoon and offers great views. But more often than not, they are rented to private organizations and not available to the general public.
To be honest, I’ve never checked the Boulangerie Patisserie at Illuminations time. But I suspect your idea is not unique and others will also be lining up in advance of the show. I would allow yourself 15 minutes to order and pay.
I wouldn’t do it after the show starts since you would be missing much of the action.
The perfect solution would be to secure your spot first. Then send someone from your party to buy the desserts 15 minutes before the show. They offer trays so unless you have a huge order (with lots of drinks), one person should be able to handle the food. Remember, unless you get one of these vary rare tables, you’ll be eating while standing.
Oh my, I miss the chocolate mousse. My mouth is watering now. Thanks for the pictures.
Jack,
Great pictures and Oh! what scrumptious memories!! I remember many years ago that very few people new about this fantastic bakery and you could get whatever you wanted any time of the day. Being such a WDW fanatic I guess I am happy that almost everyone knows about it now so we can all enjoy.
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane Jack! We too love the Napoleon! Now if only they would serve REAL french coffee instead of that nasty Nescafe!
Thanks Jack,
We make sure we stop here everytime we are in Epcot. I highly recommend the Chocolate Mousse. It is incredible. The only mousse I have had that was better was on the buffet at Boma. I believe Boma uses rum in theirs though! There is definatly something “extra” in Boma’s. You should check it out!
Hey Jack,
You must have made a bee-line to France right at 11:00am to get those great pictures inside Boulangerie Patisserie.
Great blog! Great pictures!
My first trip here, I got a chocolate eclair and when I cashed out it came to $4!
I remember thinking: “A $4 eclair? I won’t need to come back here anytime soon”.
Then I ate it.
Now we come back everytime we visit Epcot.
And Jack, I really appreciate it when you visit an eatery and take a picture of the menu. It’s a very simple idea but perfect – it gives me a strong sense of place and time and also shows me what things cost.
And your pictures are always so good.
Are you rockin’ an iphone? What kind of camera are you using?
Jack’s Answer:
I don’t know if you’re aware, but we keep all Walt Disney World menus posted on Allears. We do our best to keep them current. Check out this link:
http://allears.net/din/dining.htm
I use a Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-200 anti-shake zoom lens. I edit my pictures in Paint Shop Pro where I can enhance the quality and electronically remove objects and people.
Thanks Jack. I have been to WDW twice but never tried this place. Last time we had lunch at Les Chefs De France which we all really enjoyed. We are going again in Jan 2011 and I will definitely put this on my to do or should I say to eat list. We will be visiting for three weeks and I am determined this time to slow down and look at all the little nooks and crannies and take notice of all the details of the interiors. EPCOT is my favourite park and although last time I did take in a lot of the detail particularly in Morocco and UK I obviously skipped a lot in France. I didn’t notice the ceiling or that it was styled on a train station. I will definitely take more time. Sometimes I get caught up in taking photos and actually miss all the little details. I have a long count down but still can’t wait.
This has been one of my “must dos” at WDW since I was little!
Thanks for giving me a little “treat”!
This has been a must-stop on our World Tour for years. We are going again in Oct/Nov during the Food and Wine Festival and I am looking forward to seeing what delectable baked goods they are offering then!
I’m almost embarassed to admit how many times a trip we manage to find ourselved here. In fact, it is a leading factor in trying to stay at the Boarwalk Villas in January!
(The Strawberry Tart is my personal favorite. And is especially delicious when paired with a Grand Marnier slush from the cart just down the way.)
We go there before park closing and get breakfast for the next day.
Once again here is something I didn’t know about so I am in that 5%! It is now on my list of must do’s for Sept. since my daughter and husband love goodies such as these! …well…okay me too. 🙂 Please NEVER assume we all know about something and disregard sharing it in the blog…because there is always some of us in the 5%! LOL! And as ALWAYS thank you for sharing!
Jack, How did you get the pictures with so few guest in the frame?
Jack’s Answer:
When I take pictures, I try to get as few people as possible in my shots. The first trick to accomplishing this is arrive at opening. While others are running for attractions, I seek out picture opportunities. This is what I did with this blog.
Next, I have patience. I will wait, and wait, and wait for people to clear out of my shots.
And finally, I use my home computer to edit my pictures. I’m a master at electronically removing people from my photos. Can you tell which picture I did this to?
The napoleon is my favorite too! It’s become a tradition of ours to get one on every trip to the World. Absolutely the best pastry I’ve ever had – if you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out!
Hi Jack,
This blog brought back some pleasant memories. The Ham and Cheese Quiche is just exquisite. I can’t wait for my trip this July.
This was always a “must stop” for my family growing up. My picky-eater mom would opt for a French-dessert dinner while we enjoyed Mexican or Moroccan meals!
Boulangerie Patisserie is one of our favorite spots! Thank you for sharing. I love the elephant ears!!
Thanks Jack! I’ve been there, but what exactly is a Napoleon? It’s so difficult to make up my mind with so many choices! lol
Jack’s Answer:
A Napoleon is a traditional French dessert made from layers of puff pastry spread with a vanilla pastry cream and dusted with powdered sugar. Give it a try next time.
I fall into the 5% that haven’t been here yet but cannot wait to try it in Sept.! Thanks for the review!
Jack,
Thank you for making my bagel look not so good. I fondly remember the lovely items there. I have no idea how you got empty shots however as even when we visit in the off season it is packed, but the line moves fast.
Tricia
I always come here for dessert after eating in a restaurant where I don’t care for their desserts (Teppan Edo, Nine Dragons, Marakesh..)
Thanks a lot for this post Jack. We’ve been to The World several times, but never tried here. A definate must for our September visit, many thanks again!!!