Located in the heart of Blloku, for almost two decades now, Patisserie Française has brought a little taste of Paris to the capital and created an ideal environment for work or play.

For dessert lovers, Tirana offers countless traditional and international choices. You can find anything from the sumptuous tres leches, tiramisu, and panacotta to the more traditional desserts like revani, baklava, kadaif and everything in between anywhere in town. But, if you are looking for the fine simplicity of authentic French desserts, the place to go is Patisserie Française. Here, enjoying a fresh brioche or a light macaroon, complemented by a nice selection of teas and coffees, will make you feel as if you are “sous le ciel de Paris.”

A sweet’n’savory international café

Open for business since 2000, Patisserie Française had humble beginnings. Marie Therese Marchal, the lovely owner of this wonderful café, started it all with her specialty, a delicious apple tart. The rest is history! The menu has come to include the always-adorable macaroons as well as chocolate éclairs, fresh chocolate and hazelnut tortes, fruit tarts, and many more desserts and pastries. For American-style filtered coffee aficionados, who know it may be difficult to find in Tirana, this one serves a delicious brew! There are plenty of great savory options, as well. Here, you’ll find lunch staples like quiches and, most importantly, the delicious and legendary French sandwich, le croque monsieur. 

Marie’s story

Born in Rennes, France, Marie grew up surrounded by traditional French cuisine in a restaurant owned by her parents. It was this same taste that she was determined to bring to Albania, where she has been living for the last thirty years. She visited Albania in 1990, as a water inspection specialist, and has never left since. Things have changed since she first landed in Albania and, whereas before Marie would have described the country as small and fragile, nowadays she refers to it as her asylum of tranquility and joy. Indeed, her patisserie reflects this mindset, as it is both super-French and ultra-cozy!

Where to find it

This small French haven along one of the Blloku’s main streets, situated across from the Russian Embassy in Tirana, is a local favorite. It’s an ideal meeting point for casual and business meetings but also a nice place to simply read or work, “in Paris.”