This Could Be The Best Gluten-Free Bakery In Paris (And Now London)

"Gluten-free" and "great bakery" are two phrases that seldom go together. Dry, crumbly, and gummy are just a handful of terms typically used to describe any cake that comes sans gluten. Yet one Parisian bakery is on a mission to make that a thing of the past — and it's doing a pretty remarkable job.

A quick caveat: I'm not actually intolerant to gluten, nor do I choose to avoid it. My love of a sourdough baguette currently outweighs any concerns about wheat-bound proteins. I actually discovered this was a gluten-free destination only after I'd already selected a handful of pastries from its very chicly displayed shelves. Ones I'd been eyeing through the window all week as I walked past.

Was there a flicker of disappointment at the coeliac-friendly revelation? Honestly, yes. Gluten-free baking doesn't have the best reputation outside of LA, Miami, or, perhaps surprisingly, Italy, where gluten-free options tend to be genuinely good. But any sadness was short-lived. The chocolate marble cake was one of the best I've ever tasted. The pizza slices were admittedly less chewy than the classic version, but still seriously good. And there was no shortage of other cakes, pastries, and sandwiches to work through — all naturally gluten-free, and many vegan too.

Plus, the whole experience felt particularly luxe, which makes complete sense once you know who's behind the Copains brand: the Director and Deputy Director of Celine's flagship stores. Suddenly the lime-washed walls, wood and marble interior, and beautifully laid-out pastries feel entirely in keeping. As does the bakery's commitment to organic flour, locally sourced ingredients, plastic-free packaging, and what they describe as "being part of a global approach to healthy eating".

So, if you're in Paris, it's well worth the trip and luckily you won't have very far to travel — Copains has over 20 locations across the city. Victor Hugo was the one I ventured into. And you'll also find the bakery brand in Bordeaux, Belgium, and London's Covent Garden and Islington. Coeliacs and gluten-avoiders: I need your verdict.