Au Petit Versailles du Marais — Specialty Store in Le Marais, Paris

Au Petit Versailles du Marais is an independent pastry shop on Rue Tiron, in Le Marais, and the first thing you notice inside is the decoration: painted majolica on the walls and a pretty terrace set against the storefront on the sidewalk. The street itself has the atmosphere people come to this quarter for, and the shop sits a short walk from Saint-Paul station.

The plain viennoiseries are the core of the visit. The croissant and the pain au chocolat are what you should buy first, and the croissant is the one that brings people back. Beyond those, the Paris-Brest is a praline-filled choux ring worth seeking out, and the large chocolate macaron is the size that makes it a dessert rather than a bite. Choux with cream, éclairs and a mille-feuille fill the case alongside them, and the lemon tart is a good stop after lunch across the street.

There is more than pastry. Focaccia sandwiches are made with generous fillings, and the croque madame is a proper sit-down order. Bread is sold here too, with a varied selection that includes a turmeric and fig loaf. Coffee comes through a partnership with the place next door, so you can take a table on the terrace and eat in rather than carry everything out.

Prices are the thing to watch. The window prices are for takeaway, and eating on the terrace costs more. If you want the pastry at its plain price, take it away and eat elsewhere in the Marais.

The shop opens at 7 am Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday, though it has been found open on a Sunday contrary to what is posted. It suits anyone who wants a pastry and a coffee in a decorated room in Le Marais, and who will ask about the terrace price first.