Before becoming a brand with a presence in Tokyo, Casablanca or Berlin, Frédéric Cassel is a patisserie on Rue Grande. It all began here in 1994, when Frédéric and Hélène Cassel chose Fontainebleau as the location for their first shop.
Two Frédéric Cassel outlets in Fontainebleau. Here, the historic shop on Rue Grande, where you can buy pastries, chocolates and ice cream to take away. And just a stone’s throw away, the Frédéric Cassel’s tea room on Rue des Sablons, to sit down and enjoy your meal there.
Why Cassel is a benchmark
The pedigree can be summed up in just a few lines, and they carry a lot of weight:
- trained with Paul Manu, then spent six years at Fauchon alongside Pierre Hermé
- chairman of the French team that were crowned champions 2013 World Pastry Champion
- fifteen years at the helm of Relais Desserts, the association bringing together the elite of the world of fine patisserie, from 2003 to 2018
- nominated twice Pastry Chef of the Year, in 1999 and 2007, and winner of the Talents of Taste in 2008
And yet, the parent company remains a high-street shop where people come to buy their Sunday dessert. The company says it draws much of its inspiration from the nearby forest.
The millefeuille, and everything else
Le millefeuille is the signature mentioned first. Next come the macaroons, the chocolates and bars of fine chocolates, ice creams, jams and fruit jellies. The shop also sells bakery and pastries, and a savoury catering for events. Two collections a year – spring-summer and autumn-winter – bring a fresh look to the shop window.
To take away, before or after visiting the castle
The historic shop specialises in takeaway, and on Saturday afternoons it’s always bustling. For a dessert to take away after a visit to the château de Fontainebleau, this is the place to go. And if you fancy taking the time to sit down, head to the tea room on Rue des Sablons.
