How Do You Say Paris Brest in French?

By Anna Duncan

Have you ever heard of the Paris Brest? This delicious French pastry has a unique shape that resembles a bicycle wheel.

It is made up of choux pastry, praline cream, and sliced almonds, making it a popular dessert among pastry lovers. But have you ever wondered how to say “Paris Brest” in French? Let’s dive into the pronunciation.

The first word “Paris” is pronounced as “pah-ree” in French. The “s” at the end of Paris is not pronounced, and instead, the emphasis is on the second syllable. To get the pronunciation right, try saying “pa” and then roll your tongue slightly for the sound of “ree.”

Moving on to the second word, “Brest,” it is pronounced as “brehst.” The emphasis is on the first syllable, and it sounds like you are saying “blessed” without the ‘l’ sound.

When you put both words together, it sounds like “pah-ree brehst,” with a soft and effortless flow between them.

Now that we have learned how to pronounce this delectable pastry’s name let’s talk about its history. Paris Brest was created in 1910 by a pastry chef named Louis Durand to commemorate a famous bicycle race that went from Paris to Brest and back again. The shape of this dessert represents a bicycle wheel or tire.

The choux pastry dough used in making this dessert has an interesting origin story too. It was invented by Catherine de’ Medici’s chef in the sixteenth century when she married King Henry II of France. Choux dough has since become an essential ingredient in many French pastries.

To make Paris Brest, choux dough is piped into a circle shape and baked until golden brown. After cooling down, it is filled with praline cream made with hazelnuts or almonds that are caramelized and ground into a paste. The dessert is then topped with sliced almonds and dusted with powdered sugar.

In France, Paris Brest is a popular dessert often enjoyed during family gatherings, celebrations, and holidays. It has also become a staple in French pastry shops worldwide.

In conclusion, Paris Brest is a delicious French pastry with an interesting history and unique shape. Now that you know how to say “Paris Brest” in French correctly, why not try making it at home or order it from your local bakery? It’s an excellent treat for anyone with a sweet tooth!