Aix and the Tarts

After my regular attempts at the French detox (vegetable soup for a day or two a week; see my previous post) and I’m so ready for a sugar fix.  Look no further than the beautiful Aix.  We all know and love the French patisserie back home…..but what’s missing?  the size of the tart,  a particular ingredient or an outstandingly un-French server!  Maybe patisseries just taste better in their rightful homes…..or maybe I haven’t yet discovered my perfect patisserie in London. Ideas please as I’m coming back for a visit soon.

There are tarts a plenty here, big and delicious at every twist and turn of this yummy place.  Apple tartin, peach, apricot, lemon, walnut, chocolate, caramel and vanilla – the list is endless….. But the Queen of the tart in Aix, in my opinion, is Tarte Tropezienne. This tart rules as far as I’m concerned.

Created in the 50’s by a St Tropez resident who mixed in Hollywood film circles, he used to serve his tart to film crew and artists alike. One of the actors on set happened to be Brigitte Bardot filming And God Created Woman. She sampled some of the tart and voila – she loved it!  So she named it Tarte Tropezienne. It’s famous and glamorous and can be eaten in small sleek Trop cafes around Aix and the region. It consists of sponge layers and a very secret recipe; a creamy middle bit.
You can purchase it in baby size, mini, medium or large. Guess which one I’m buying?  Baby, of course!  We will save the large one for my daughter’s birthday party and decorate it with strawberries and silver sprinkles because it’s almost royal…

Next time you are in Aix keep a look out for this, you simply don’t want to miss it!