Maison Bertaux facts for kids
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Maison Bertaux is a famous French pâtisserie (a fancy bakery) located in Greek Street, Soho, London. It first opened its doors in 1871, which makes it the oldest pâtisserie in all of London!
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A Sweet History: London's Oldest Bakery
Maison Bertaux was started in 1871 by a French man named Monsieur Bertaux. He was a "communard," which means he was part of a group of people who tried to create a new government in Paris. He came to London and opened his bakery at 28 Greek Street in Soho. This spot was perfect because it was the center of the French community in London during the late 1800s. There were even French churches nearby, like the historic French Protestant Church of London and the Catholic Notre Dame de France.
Who Runs the Bakery Today?
Since 1988, two sisters, Michele and Tania Wade, have been managing Maison Bertaux. Michele started working at the bakery 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 for customers to choose from.
What Makes Maison Bertaux Special?
This unique bakery has a piano inside, and on top of it, you can find 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: "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (which means "Liberty, equality, fraternity").
To celebrate Bastille Day, a big French holiday, the shop creates a Tableau vivant. This is like a living picture where people dress up and pose to recreate a famous scene.
Maison Bertaux is also close to where a famous art school, Central Saint Martins, used to be. The bakery even has its own art gallery upstairs, which Tania Wade manages. In 2013, this gallery showed paintings by famous comedian Harry Hill. The upstairs area can also be used for parties, holding up to 20 people.
Famous Visitors and Special Cakes
Many well-known people have visited Maison Bertaux over the years. Some of these include actors like Nicole Kidman, Martin Freeman, and John Hurt. Musicians like Damon Albarn and Bob Geldof have also stopped by.
The pâtisserie has made special cakes for famous events too. They baked the wedding cake for singer Lily Allen. They also hosted the 25th birthday party for the famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Helping the Bakery Stay Open
In 2020, like many businesses, Maison Bertaux had to close for a while because of the coronavirus pandemic. To help save the shop, they started a crowdfunding campaign. This is where many people donate small amounts of money to help a project or business.
