Maison Bertaux facts for kids
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Maison Bertaux is a charming French pâtisserie (which means a pastry shop!) located on Greek Street in Soho, London. It first opened its doors in 1871, making it the oldest French pastry shop in London. It's a special place known for its delicious cakes and pastries, and it has a rich history.
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The History of Maison Bertaux
Maison Bertaux was started in 1871 by a French man named Monsieur Bertaux. He was a "communard" from Paris, which means he was part of a group of people who tried to set up a new government in Paris during a time of change. The shop is at 28 Greek Street in Soho, London, right next to the Coach and Horses pub.
This location was chosen on purpose! In the late 1800s, this area was the heart of the French community in London. There are even historic French churches nearby, like the French Protestant Church in Soho Square and the Catholic Notre Dame de France in Leicester Place.
Who Runs the Shop Today?
Since 1988, two sisters, Michele and Tania Wade, have been managing Maison Bertaux. Michele started working at the pastry shop when she was just 17 years old! When they first took over, the shop only offered one type of tea. Now, they have twenty different kinds of tea for customers to enjoy.
In 2000, Maison Bertaux even made a traditional wedding cake for a wedding party in Birmingham.
What Makes Maison Bertaux Special?
The pastry shop has a cozy feel with a piano inside. On top of the piano, you might spot a book called The Art of French Baking. Look closely at three of the mirrors in the shop, and you'll see the famous French motto carved into them: Liberté, égalité, fraternité. This means "Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)."
To celebrate Bastille Day, which is a big French holiday, the shop creates a Tableau vivant. This is like a living picture where people pose to recreate a famous scene.
The shop is also very close to where the famous Central Saint Martins art school used to be. On the upper floor of Maison Bertaux, there's an art gallery run by Tania Wade. In 2013, this gallery even showed paintings by the comedian Harry Hill. He painted pictures of famous people like Bruce Forsyth, Ken Livingstone, and Anthea Turner. The upper floor can also be used for parties and can hold up to 20 people.
Famous Visitors and Events
Many well-known people have visited Maison Bertaux over the years. Some of them include:
- Nicole Kidman (an actress)
- Damon Albarn (a musician)
- Martin Freeman (an actor)
- John Hurt (an actor)
- Bob Geldof (a musician and activist)
- Grayson Perry (an artist)
- Noel Fielding (a comedian and artist)
The pastry shop also made the wedding cake for the singer Lily Allen. And it hosted the 25th birthday party for the famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Helping the Shop Stay Open
In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Maison Bertaux had to close its doors for a while. To help save the shop, they started a crowdfunding campaign. This is when many people donate small amounts of money to help a project or business. Thanks to their supporters, Maison Bertaux was able to continue its long history!
