On World Croissant Day, Sophie McLean follows the scent of butter and culture from Parisian bakeries to cabaret stages and back again, discovering that the croissant is less a pastry than a philosophy of pleasure…
“Tu veux être mon copain?” asks the tagline of the eponymously named, much-coveted Parisian bakery that opened in Covent Garden late last year. Do you want to be my friend?
Unlike most friends, here is where flakiness — and being filled with just the right amount of (preferably hot) air — truly counts. Moist yet crunchy croissants for days: light and tender, buttery and delicious. A scented scene of baked, buttery heaven from the moment you walk through the doors, right down to the last bite of your chosen treat.
Photo by Kaley Dykstra (courtesy of Unsplash)
There is much to celebrate about the croissant, so where better to sample the very best? Paris, naturally. From its Viennese origins to something a little more couture, the trio of Sofitel outposts here offer guests the chance to indulge in their haute croissanterie — bites that go beyond the classic pur beurre, crafted with meticulous lamination and matching the hotels’ on-brand quality and finesse.
At Sofitel Baltimore Tour Eiffel, we take part in a croissant-filling exercise led by 24-year-old pastry chef Myriem Ait Yala, who shows us how to craft croissants in the most decorative of ways. The concept was conceived by Anne-Cécile Degenne, Sofitel’s consultant chef, who shaped La Haute Croissanterie as a new global signature for Sofitel breakfasts in 2024. Even if some of our creations are less delicately finished than Myriem’s, the joy is very much in the trying.
That same evening, fuelled by pastry-induced optimism, we head out again — this time from Sofitel Paris Arc du Triomphe, an early 1900s building with views over both the Eiffel Tower and the famous triumphal arch. Our destination is the Théâtre du Lido, long synonymous with Parisian spectacle. Founded in 1946 and later established on the Champs-Élysées, the venue became legendary for its revue, rhinestones, feathers and the iconic Bluebell Girls.
Now also owned by Accor, the Lido hosts Les Demoiselles de Rochefort — a technicolour musical delight originally conceived in 1967. Presented in French with subtitles, it is a celebration of sisterhood, friendship and romantic hope, with all the hues of a sweet shop splashed across costumes and choreography. It remains an absolute Parisian must-see while on (until June 14th 2026). The evening ends, fittingly, with theatrically presented nightcaps at the Raffles Paris’ Le Long Bar, designed by Philippe Starck.
After an enriching breakfast the next morning — croissant creations Picasso might have been proud of — we waltz over to the Grand Palais, another cultural hot ticket supported by the Accor group. Two exhibitions draw the crowds: D’un seul souffle by Claire Tabouret, featuring life-size models of stained-glass windows soon to be installed at Notre Dame post-fire; and Grottesco by Eva Jospin, a fantastical cardboard world inspired by the buried frescoes of Nero’s Domus Aurea.
Eurostar Premier team, Honey Spencer, Jeremy Chan and Jessica Préalpato (photo courtesy Eurostar)
Our return to London later that day is yet another spoiling experience. In just one hour and 16 minutes, Eurostar delivers us back across the Channel with a four-course late lunch curated by two Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Chan (Ikoyi) and former World Top Pastry Chef Jessica Préalpato, paired with Fleury Champagne selected by Honey Spencer of Sune. Eurostar serves some 510,000 croissants a year across its services and lounges — and on World Croissant Day (Friday 30th January), Business Premier guests can enjoy 150 haute croissanterie treats from Sofitel in the London St Pancras lounge.
And as with all good friendships, both new and old, it is the quality time and ingredients that go into making them that result in something truly special. Here’s to all of those things.
Eurostar Business Premier return: from £209 return, offering: Fully flexible ticket, fast-track security & border control, and access to Eurostar Business Premier lounges. Premium onboard dining included from Michelin Starred Chefs, with Croissants onboard. Standard return tickets from £39 each way.
Sofitel is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group with over 5,700 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – their lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a variety of rewards, services and experiences. For more information, please visit www.sofitel.accor.com.
Header photo by Eve Maier, courtesy of Unsplash
