For a very long time there was a lack of decent bread and pastry to be found in Kyoto town. Which makes perfect sense when 99% of your key audience follows a fairly strict Japanese diet of course.... But most Japanese folk are terribly discerning when it comes to cuisine, nah - let's call it obsessive - and, as it happens, a good proportion are also Francophiles - so it was only a matter of time before some really excellent crust and crumb raised its head between the rice and tofu vendors.
One of the earlier arrivals was Le Petit Mec which lives on today in a couple of Kyoto neighbourhoods. Still providing some of the most authentic patisserie in town it is one of those places that locals regularly retreat to - regardless of the fact it has fairly limited trading days (Friday to Sunday and public holidays...) and there are now many other bakeries and pastry shops in more convenient locations. I'm told the local French community give it the big thumbs up! And for what it's worth I rate it fairly highly too - both the food and the enticing, Parisian vibe.
The main shop pictured is on the north side of Imadegawa street - about a 10 minute walk east (from the south or east exit)of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. If you hit Horikawa street you have gone too far!
There is a smaller outlet on Koromondana street - just south of Oike street.
The lovely and talented Bridget Scott and my mum enjoying an afternoon break after a visit to the fabulous flea market of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - held on the 25th day of each month. Rain, hail or shine. And yes, it's open on Christmas Day! Not a holiday in a non Christian based society funnily enough! I spent some time wandering the aisles one frosty Xmas only to find it seems to be a bit of a ritual among half the local foreign community who meet to celebrate with friends and families - not quite Chrissy Day but the spirit was there in the most infectious way!
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