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Les Boulangeries (bakers)
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more about
types of stores
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by David Applefield
Most boulangeries sell prepared sandwiches, mini pizzas, quiches, onion tarts and croque-monsieurs (the classic French common food available at all hours in all cafés, consisting of two slices of buttered toast, a slice of ham with grilled cheese on top-the croque -madame is the same thing topped with a sunny-side up egg) on the streets for about 15 to 20 FF. They´ll microwave food for you upon request.
It´ll take some time before you become agile with all the nuances in the French boulangerie. The bread alone will stun you in its variety. The baguette is probably the best deal in France.
Note: you will often hear customers asking for their bread "bien cuit" (well done and crusty), "pas trop cuit" or "bien tendre" (less baked and doughier). You can also ask for "une baguette coupée en deux" (a baguette cut in half). This facilitates transportation and prevents the bread from breaking en route. All of your requests, whether they be at the bakery, the cheese shop or the hardware store, should of course be accompanied by a smile and followed by "s´il vous plaät," two things that will go a long way towards making any transaction simpler and easier.
Also, get accustomed to carrying your bread in your hand, bag, or under your arm. Bread is seldom wrapped or bagged. Sometimes, in the more bourgeois boulangeries, your baguette will come with a square of tissue paper wrapped around the center where you are to grasp the bread. If you ask for a second square of paper you´ll probably get a strange look if not an outright non. Don´t worry, though, in four centuries there are no documented cases of anyone getting sick from unprotected bread.
Note: It´s annoying, but that´s the way it is-if you ask for your bread sliced on the slicing machine, expect to pay an additional franc or two. Don´t even bother complaining.
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