Items Selected: Croque Monsieur…read moreButter Croissant Vanilla Éclair Chocolate Religeuse Prune Clafoutis Having spent a restless night in a humid hotel along the main street of Chaudes-Aigues it was just before dawn that I awoke, and deciding to take a morning run through hilly city streets a substantial amount of ground was covered, the townsfolk encountered along the route all exceedingly friendly including the owners of two local bakeries, the first entitled Patisserie de la Source du Par. Located in a sort of town-square area with shops for paper goods, meats, produce, and a few tiny cafes "Source du Par" is actually attached to the nextdoor "Salaisons de la Source du Par" and doubling as a store for Ice cream and Liquor the early morning selection proved a bit more meager than nearby Vert Marc while the quality and cost were both nearly on par. Treated to service that managed limited command for the French language with a surprising amount of skill it was with just a few minor questions answered that an order was crafted, and taking five boxed items to the streets for later indulgence it was admittedly a bit puzzling as to why nothing was remotely warm, the resultant first bite of a butter croissant setting any suspicions of day-olds aside as flakes broke away and gently floated to the ground. Not particularly impressed by the appearance of other laminated pastries, but thrilled to see the first boulangerie/patisserie croque monsieur of the trip offered at a mere 2.50€ it was in the creamy cheese sandwich that I opted to next indulge, and although served colder than one might have liked the thick layers of ham and Swiss between slices of toasted housemade brioche were nonetheless still delicious, and served at a fraction of the cost of many lesser versions served back home. At this point scaling back to half-portions in order to save room for a follow-up quintet from Vert Marc, it was next to a custardy clafoutis rich with pitted plums that tastebuds wee treated and rounding out the morning with two types of choux the decision of which was better proved a tossup largely dependent on one's preference for chocolate or vanilla, the former stuffing an especially rich Religeuse while the later inside an éclair was far more mild and light.

It was the place the way of youth yesterday, one that has more…read more 40 years now. The life for many young and Brivadois so young, too, seemed to organize compared to the days of opening of Saint-Lau. On Monday we were going elsewhere, Grand Café said Grand Caf ', adjoining. Life was easy, coffee cost 2 FF or something like that. The terrace as the box were raided by groups Long-term parking. The good life, whatever! Now, I can hardly stop myself too far, but I will not be surprised to learn that others have taken the place of each and each. Youth does not die, nor in form nor in its rites!

This is a totally wonderful shop. Has everything a good delicatessen should have, including a great…read moreselection of sausages, cheeses, liqueurs, condiments, and sweets. And a truly excellent service! Aside from shopping there whenever I am in la Bourboule, I have ordered things over the internet all the way to Oxford, and it arrived in good time and perfect condition. And once I even had the cheek to ask the owner to deliver a food parcel to a friend who was staying in a local hotel, and he walked it over in person. Service does not get better than this!