The Éclair
"An éclair is an oblong choux pastry (same dough as cream puffs) filled with vanilla, chocolate, or coffee pastry cream and topped with glossy fondant icing. It's light, airy, and not overly sweet. Modern pâtisseries offer creative flavors (pistachio, salted caramel, passion fruit) with colorful glazes. A proper éclair has a crisp shell, creamy filling, and shiny glaze. It's eaten in 2-3 bites, never with utensils."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Elegant, classic
Duration
5 minutes
Best For
Dessert
The Backstory
Éclairs emerged in France in the 1840s-1850s, possibly created by chef Antonin Carême. The name means 'lightning'—either because they're eaten quickly or because the glaze shines like lightning. They became pâtisserie staples by the late 1800s. Modern pastry chefs like Christophe Adam and Pierre Hermé elevated them with inventive flavors in the 2000s-2010s.
Local Secret
"Buy from real pâtisseries, not chain bakeries or supermarkets. The shell should be light and crisp, not soggy. The cream should be smooth and not too sweet. Classic flavors (chocolate, coffee, vanilla) are reliably good; trendy flavors can be hit-or-miss. Eat them the day you buy—they don't keep. Prices: €3-5 depending on pâtisserie. L'Éclair de Génie specializes in creative éclairs (€5-6 each)."