Update: December opening, ice cream parlor, and more current info on Epcot’s France pavilion. New name for Bistro de Paris will be “Monsieur Paul” — a fitting tribute to Chef Paul Bocuse!
We published a bit of rumor/news a few weeks back when Disney World filed a notice of commencement with Orange County to expand Epcot’s French Bakery area in the World Showcase. The Boulangerie Patisserie was slated to receive a second story as well as a 3000 square foot kitchen, and a full-blown counter-service restaurant.
Epcot's Boulangerie Patisserie Will Be Expanding This Year
Recently, I was made aware of an article interviewing Jerome Bocuse, son of Chef Paul Bocuse, who heads up the company running the restaurant operations in the French pavilion. In the article, Bocuse opens a discussion about the expansion by saying, “Now we’re redoing and doing renovations at several locations.” While Disney has not officially announced anything about this project, here’s a bit of info mentioned in the article.
Bocuse responded to a question about specific changes with the following details:
We’re going to build a brand new bakery in a new building. It’s going to be very close to the bakeries that you see in France today. More like a modern bakery with sandwiches. We will cook all of our bread all day long and make sandwiches with that fresh bread.
The article’s author then states that “[It’s slated to open around March 2013.]”
Epcot's French Bakery
Finally, in response to a question about turning the bakery into a chain-like location like the ones his father, Chef Paul Bocuse, runs in France (see more info about Chef Bocuse’s brasseries here), Bocuse answered, “At this point, no. But you never know what will come up. First we have to make this bakery well rounded, one step at a time. ”
We’re excited to hear what’s coming next, but from the looks of it you’ll want to grab up your favorites from this bakery soon before the inevitable refurbishment closures and updated menu!
Read the rest of the interview here.
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I can’t wait! I’ve tried so hard to love the food at the patisserie just because the setting is so enchanting, but everything I’ve had there has been mediocre at best. I’m excited to hear about the fresh bread and the possibility of a really great counter-service place in France!
Ah, made with bread baked, possibly, mere minutes ago. You have on idea how excited I am about that possibility.
O la la! 🙂
I LOVE the Patisserie! As long as they keep the strawberry tarts (they’re divine) I’m for it!
This is our favorite place in Epcot to sit & take a break!! Any idea if it will be closed during the renovation and if so, when? We are going in early September and would be heart-broken if we couldn’t have our annual wine, cheese platter & pastry!
That’s great news, but now I fear they will be closed for refurbishment during our October trip 🙁 I hope they have a temporary location because we love to go there every trip for sweets.
I remember getting an Opera at boulangerie 20 years ago delicious. Can’t wait for the refurb.
This is exciting news! We love the Patisserie and stop there on every trip (Tiffany, I’m with you — that strawberry tart is hard to pass up). I’m looking forward to seeing what new treats, both sweet and savory, the chefs will add to the menu!
Omg! More choices in an expanded bakery, that’s great! Try the lemon tart and the
ham and cheese sandwich (heated of course). They are wonderful!
Don’t know if I can hold off till March, but will try!
Any idea when this will close for the upgrade?
Mike — No date stated yet.
Do they sell beneits? Do they ship? Cost?
Thank you!
Mary — Unfortunately, Les Halles does not ship any of its baked goods.