What is the food version of happiness? For many, it was the Mont Blanc at Le Mont du Bonheur in the Marais. This tiny shop earned a reputation by focusing on a single pastry: the Mont Blanc. (Note: during summer months they also offered ice cream in addition to the Mont Blanc.)
UPDATE: LE MONT DU BONHEUR IS NOW CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
Try these alternatives
Casse Noisette (Paris 2ème)
Ibrik Café (Paris 9ème)
Bob’s Bake Shop (Paris 18ème)
What is a Mont Blanc?
The Mont Blanc is a classic pastry with variations across regions. The French version often includes a coconut cream filling and shaved coconut topping, producing a sweet, delicate treat. In Alsace, the Mont Blanc is traditionally made with chestnut cream, giving it a thicker texture and a pronounced nutty flavor. Both versions tend to be sweet, but the balance of textures and flavors can vary.
Prior to visiting Le Mont du Bonheur, we had not sampled this pastry. In recent years Paris has seen a trend of small pastry shops that specialize in one item prepared in many flavors. For example, Popelini on rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement makes cream puffs in a range of flavors such as chocolate, caramel, vanilla bourbon, red fruit and passion fruit.
At Le Mont du Bonheur you could choose to sit outside when the weather was warm, or enjoy your pastry in the shop’s cozy tea-salon interior. Prices generally ranged between 5.50€ and 7.50€, depending on the chosen flavor and whether you ate in (“sur place”) or took it to go. If you took your Mont Blanc to enjoy elsewhere, there are many charming nearby spots: along the banks of the Seine on Île Saint-Louis, on a bench in Place des Vosges, or in the small Jardins Francs Bourgeois–Rosiers on rue des Francs Bourgeois. The Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements) is full of pretty tucked-away places to savor a pastry.
On a very hot afternoon we chose a passion fruit and mango Mont Blanc. Although flavors like caramel and chocolate were tempting, the heat made a citrusy option more appealing. The pastry proved refreshingly satisfying.
The Mont Blanc contains a generous amount of cream, but it is surprisingly light and airy rather than heavy. That contrast—rich appearance with a delicate mouthfeel—is one of the pleasures of the pastry. Another pleasant surprise: it is not overly sweet. The dessert is just sweet enough, which is ideal for those who prefer pastries that aren’t cloying.
Have you visited Le Mont du Bonheur, or are you planning to try a Mont Blanc elsewhere in Paris? Share which flavors you’ve tried and which are your favorites. Have you made a Mont Blanc at home?
LE MONT DU BONHEUR
60 rue du Roi de Sicile
75004 Paris
01 74 64 60 70
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