As you walk down Rue de Montparnasse, you almost feel like you’re in Brittany. The narrow street is lined with crêperies, small restaurants with inviting terraces.
If you’re looking for the best crêpes and galettes, at the best crêperie in Paris, Montparnasse is where you should be. Everywhere you look, you’ll see chalkboards with the daily menu and the aroma of freshly made galettes filling the air. Here, in the heart of Paris, the best Breton cuisine is lovingly kept alive.
Where to find the best crêperie in Paris?
Montparnasse is undoubtedly the best neighborhood for authentic crêperies in Paris. I’ve never seen so many crêperies in one place. The concentration of crêperies here is unmatched, and it feels like every crêperie offers something unique. This neighborhood has a long history intertwined with the Breton community and its culinary traditions. So if you’re looking for the best crêpes and galettes, at the best crêperie in Paris, Montparnasse is the place for you.
Why did the Bretons settle in Montparnasse?
The story of the Breton community in Paris begins in the 19th century when poverty and unemployment forced many Bretons to leave their homeland. Paris offered opportunities, and Montparnasse became a logical choice. Not only because trains from Brittany arrived at Gare Montparnasse, but also because the neighborhood was relatively affordable, attracting a growing community of Bretons eager to share their culinary heritage, including the best crêpes and galettes.
The history of the Breton community in Paris
Many Bretons began their Parisian journey as dairy farmers, a profession tied to their agricultural roots. In the early 20th century, as the dairy trade shifted, many Bretons sought new ways to make a living. Since galettes and crêpes had been a staple of Breton cuisine for centuries, opening crêperies was a natural progression. They started small, often as family-run businesses, and over time, these humble establishments grew to become an integral part of Parisian food culture, offering the best galettes and crêpes in Paris.
Montparnasse during “Les Années Folles”
In the 1920s and 1930s, Montparnasse became the artistic heart of Paris, a period known as Les Années Folles (The Roaring Twenties). The neighborhood attracted artists, writers, and intellectuals, who gathered in legendary cafés such as Le Dôme, La Closerie des Lilas, and La Rotonde. International greats such as Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and Ernest Hemingway spent their days and nights here, captivated by the lively, creative atmosphere.
Montparnasse became a melting pot of artistic expression, where avant-garde movements flourished and new ideas emerged. The affordable galettes and cider from the Breton crêperies became a favorite meal for these bohemians. While Saint-Germain-des-Prés later became known as the intellectual center of Paris, it was Montparnasse that was the artistic hub of the city in the first half of the 20th century.
What makes an authentic Breton galette so special?
A galette is not just an ordinary pancake. The secret lies in the dough: pure buckwheat flour, water, and salt, with no milk or sugar added. This gives it a savory, crispy texture and a slightly nutty flavor. Traditionally, a galette is served with simple but flavorful ingredients like ham, cheese, and egg (‘la Complète’) or choose one with goat cheese and honey, or salmon.
And, as it should be, you drink it with a glass of cider, served in a bowl rather than a glass. This combination of savory galettes and cider is what makes the best crêpes and galettes so irresistable.
A visit to crêperie de Josselin: the best place for crêpes in Paris
After a short walk down Rue de Montparnasse, we choose Crêperie de Josselin. (our blogs aren’t sponsored). Normally, there are long lines here, but it’s already 2:00 p.m., and the lunch rush has passed. We’re able to walk right in. The antique wooden door swings open, and we’re immediately embraced by a warm, welcoming atmosphere. To the right, we see the open kitchen where the best crêpes and galettes are made on large iron plates.
Our experience at crêperie de Josselin: the best galettes in Paris
The interior is authentically Breton: dark wood, small wooden chairs, Breton paintings and ceramics, large lamps with white crocheted shades, and a soft yellow light that gives everything a nostalgic glow. The menu is extensive, filled with the best galettes and crêpes in Paris. We choose the classic ‘Galette Complète’ with ham, cheese, and a perfectly cooked egg. The edges are crispy, and the filling is rich and flavorful. It’s very filling, but there’s still room for dessert: a sweet crêpe with homemade caramel and salted butter. The caramel oozes out of the crêpe, sweet and creamy, a real treat.
Why crêperie de Josselin is the best choice for the best crêpes and galettes in Paris
The atmosphere is intimate, the service is friendly, and the quality of the galettes and crêpes is unmatched. For just 17 euros, you get a full meal of a savory galette, a sweet crêpe, and cider. It’s a place where you really feel like you’re in Brittany.
Adress: Rue de Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
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