Up on Laon's plateau, in the heart of the upper town, a haven of artisan baking deserves your full attention. Our chief culinary explorer, Tata Nadège, stepped into Boulangerie Victor Florent to carry out a thoroughly rigorous field investigation. The findings are clear: this is a full-scale raid on the taste buds, earning the maximum score of "5 moustaches out of 5 🥸🥸🥸🥸🥸" straight away!
A Cracking Welcome and Heavenly Bread
The experience begins as soon as you step through the door. The team behind the counter sets the tone: the women serving are wonderfully friendly and energetic, with a warm professionalism that immediately makes you want to buy up the shop. And there is plenty to choose from! The rows of bread on the shelves command respect, particularly the "Victorienne Graines" baguettes standing to attention at €1.20. Tata Nadège's little insider tip? If the stars align and you arrive just as the loaves emerge piping hot from the oven, tasting them becomes an almost mystical experience.
The Savoury Line-up and the Sweet Temptations
On the savoury side, the bakery is no mere supporting act: the pizzas are excellent and just the thing for a first-rate lunch break. But the trap really closes at the pastry display. Those with an appetite for family-sized treats will be put to the test by the "Brioche d'Emilie", substantial, golden and ready to lift any flagging spirits. Alongside it, the counter has wicker baskets overflowing with "Briochettes", generously dusted with icing sugar. A small investment for a maximum return in comfort: €0.70 each, or €3.00 for a tactical squad of five.
The Star Exhibit: the "Crémeuuh..." Case
If this bakery earns its place on the must-visit list, it is above all for its pastry masterpiece, an absolute knockout. Forget everything you know about the traditional French custard tart: this one plays in the big league. The packaging sets the tone with a cheeky flourish: a cardboard box in a black-and-white cow-print pattern. The retro-lettered label reveals the culprit's identity: "Le Crémeuuh...", a "HOMEMADE CUSTARD TART" made "with Normandy cream" by Établissements Victor Florent, artisan bakers since 1982.
Open the box and, sitting proudly on its golden tray, the tart impresses with a remarkable thickness that goes well beyond the usual standards. Its top has a glorious golden-brown finish, dotted with those characteristic dark, caramelised patches that show a perfectly judged bake. Cut into it and it more than delivers: the texture is wonderfully dense, with a rich, incredibly creamy centre that fully lives up to its name.
In the end, Boulangerie Victor Florent does more than feed Laon's upper town: it sets a thoroughly tempting standard. An expert report approved by Tata Nadège, excellent service and an address to jot down in your travel notebook without delay!
