Religieuse © French Moments
  • Home
  • Blog
  • A Religieuse Temptation: How to Resist this Iconic French Pastry?

Last Updated: 19 August 2023

Gorgeous, adorable, delicious Religieuses… Each time we return to France, we can’t resist the temptation of savouring ‘une religieuse’, a classic French pastry! As the French say, we fall for a “péché mignon” (a lovely sin)! Let’s learn more about this insane Religieuse temptation!

 

An insane Religieuse Temptation

Religieuse is a traditional French pastry meaning “nun”. Its shape comprises two choux buns as it resembles an obese nun in a habit. The pastry’s name was attested from 1929, but it is thought that religieuse was created in the mid-19th century.

Like an éclair, a religieuse is one of the French’s favourite pastries. It is made of two pâte à choux buns. The large pastry case at the bottom (the nun’s head) is topped by a smaller one (her head).

Both are filled with crème pâtissière (confectioner’s custard) of coffee, chocolate or vanilla flavours. Each case is covered in a ganache of the same taste as the crème pâtissière and joined with a piped buttercream, referring to a ruffle (une fraise in French).

Today, many pâtissiers are working on new variations of Religieuses. It is not rare in Paris and other parts of the Province to find rose, violet, blackcurrant, passionfruit or caramel flavoured Religieuses in their window fronts.

 

Photos of Religieuses

Here are a few photos of Religieuses we took in Paris and France.

Chestnut cream religieuse:

 

Coffee-flavoured religieuse:

 

Caramel and salted butter religieuse:

 

Rose-flavoured religieuse:

 

The famous violet-flavoured religieuse from LaDurée:

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Ebook 20 amazing offbeat places in Paris front cover