If forced to choose (but please don’t force me), I would say that Pozzetto is my favorite ice cream in Paris. But Le Bac à Glaces ranks right up there. It also happens to be very close to my current abode.
Now to you, a blustery, finally-cold autumn afternoon might seem like an odd time to eat ice cream, but not to me. It’s never too cold for ice cream. Or to hot, or too early, or too late.
Seriously, If there were a way to earn a certificate in ice cream eating I would go back to school.
I know, I know, this “bac” is not referring to a “baccalauréat.” No, “bac” means “ferry,” and rue du Bac is named for the ferry that docked at the end of the street, at quai Voltaire, which transported stone blocks across the river for the construction of the Tuileries palace. It also means “tub”, and this is where the name Le Bac à Glaces starts to make sense.
Since 1982, Le Bac à Glaces has been churning all-natural, nothing-artificial-added sorbets and ice creams from carefully sourced ingredients. It is a smaller operation, and not nearly as well known as Berthillon, and those are pluses in my book. Other positives? How about the repertoire of 60 flavors, ranging from classic (chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut) to exotic (yuzu or guava sorbet, anyone?)
My current fixation is the pruneaux. The natural sugar in the prunes gives the ice cream amazing texture. Normally I pass by the window and get a cornet to go, but yesterday was pretty chilly, so I ducked in for a coupe and a coffee. I ordered the Coupe Caiman – two scoops of the prune and one of vanilla, with sweet saucy prunes and whipped cream. It was huge.
A little Armagnac would have hit the spot, but I wouldn’t want to overdo it. Oh wait, yes I would.
(PS: The giant model ice cream cone on my Twitter page is in front of Le Bac à Glaces.)
Le Bac à Glaces, 109 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris +33 (0)1 45 48 87 65 website
How funny, I just returned from a chilly walk home – with bags of ice cream pints. I’m with you, ice cream has no season! Zurich locals agree – even in the darkest, coldest days of winter, there is a line outside Mövenpick here! I love that!
When I was living in Paris, I used to go to Le Bac à Glaces quite often (ok, very often). Next time I’m there, I’m getting that prune ice cream for sure.
PS – I totally have the very same brown espresso cups, white trim and all. They were my grandmother’s from when she was young! Crazy!
I’ll be moving very near Le Bac à Glaces next month and although I wouldn’t have thought to eat ice cream in November, you’ve convinced me to try it. Pruneaux, miam.
Shelli
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Shelli: Miam, indeed, in November or any time! Thanks for all of your comments.
Late chiming in, but that prune ice cream looks truly stunning. Lucky you.
I’ve often thought a perfect job would be ice cream flavor consultant–helping customers decide on their combos. Think of the good you’d be doing for mankind!
And you’re completely right about weather and ice cream. I actually kind of prefer ice cream in the winter. But I might just be saying that because summer is a ways off again…
Oh H—
I think I passed them enroute to the new Patisserie des Reves..
were they closed?
Was I running to the Salon du chocolat?
what was I thinking not to stop?
I like Martine Lambert too..
a la prochaine…
Giovanna: There are times when I could use such a consultant. Not because I don’t know what goes together, but because the possibilities just seem endless!
parisbreakfasts: I hope you got the Paris-Brest at Patisserie des Reves…
[...] Le Bac à Glaces I find this family run shop near the Bon Marché charming. The ingredients are good and the flavors intense. Though after lots of testing (ahem) I’ve noticed that their product can be inconsistent – the ice cream is occasionally over churned, a sorbet may be icy. But when it’s good, it’s great, and I will always go back to the Bac. (Especially in the cooler months for their prune and Armagnac ice cream.) 109 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris +33 (0)1 45 48 87 65 website [...]