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Un Instant en Provence: French bakery in Montreal

As January’s icy grip tightened around Montreal, I was craving some warmth and sunshine to lift my spirits. But who would’ve thought I’d find that in a place 6000 kilometers away from my cozy hometown ?

A Taste of Provence in the Heart of Montreal

For those missing the flavors and ambiance of Provence, there’s a delightful surprise waiting in the heart of Montreal: Un Instant en Provence. This charming bakery, nestled in the Saint-Henri neighborhood, brings the essence of the South of France to Quebec, offering a taste of home for locals and expats alike.

Picture this: you suddenly catch a whiff of something utterly divine—freshly baked croissants, warm and golden, straight out of the oven. Intrigued, you follow your nose to a cozy little bakery tucked away on Notre Dame Street. And that’s where you meet Nans Roche and Alexis Pelisson, the dynamic and talented duo behind Un Instant en Provence.

As soon as you step inside, you’re enveloped in a warm embrace of aromas—the scent of buttery pastries mingling with hints of lavender and sunshine. Nans and Alexis greet you with wide smiles and twinkling eyes, their passion for pastry practically palpable in the air.

“Bonjour, cher ami ! Welcome home !”

Nans, with his roots in the quaint village of Saint-Maximin, regales you with tales of his childhood spent amidst the rolling hills of Provence, learning the secrets of pastry from his grandmother; but not only: he worked in prestigious institutions along the Mediterranean coast for 12 years, then for the top pâtisseries of Montreal. Alexis, not only a pastry chef, but also an ice cream maker, chocolatier, and confectioner from southern France, shares his adventures in prestigious French patisseries before leaping across the pond to Montreal.

A 360-degree Provencal atmosphere

When Thomas, guardian of this magical ambiance, proud leader of the customer service team & Nans’ soulmate, decided to roll up his sleeves, it wasn’t just for fun. He had a dream: to reproduce a life-size piece of his beloved Provence and HE DID IT!

Every color, every material, every trinket comes from our sweet Provence, and connoisseurs won’t be mistaken. We’ve all seen at least one of these objects in our grandmother’s kitchen, and some of them belonged to Nans’ grandmother! Thomas’ work in bringing his team to life and delighting his customers is fantastic. An advice…just take a look at the ceiling…

In any case, my heart goes out to the crates from our local producers and the magnificent café tables, worthy of the cobbled streets of the Southern France, unless the terracotta tiles adorning the walls…

“But enough talk,” Nans declares with a huge smile. “You must taste for yourself!”

With that, he presents you with a tray of delights—flaky croissants, delicate tarts, and irresistible macarons, each more tempting than the last. You take a bite of the croissant, and instantly, you’re transported to a sidewalk café in Aix-en-Provence, with the sound of accordion music filling the air.

As you savor the heavenly flavors, Nans and Alexis regale you with stories of their culinary adventures, their faces lighting up with every memory shared. And suddenly, it’s not just a bakery—it’s a portal to another world, where the sun shines a little brighter and life moves a little slower. People come and go with a baguette in hand, while others work on their computers. All this under the objects and images of our beautiful Provence. Your heart will be drawn back to childhood, I can guarantee it.

Before you know it, hours have passed in a blur of laughter, good conversation, and, of course, plenty of pastries. As you bid farewell to Nans and Alexis, promising to return soon for another taste of Provence, you can’t help but feel grateful for stumbling upon this hidden gem in the heart of Montreal—a place where every moment feels like Un Instant en Provence.