Du Pain et Des Idees, created by Christophe Vasseur, one of Paris's top bakers, will open its first permanent store in Japan in Aoyama, Tokyo, on October 8th.

Du Pain et Des Idees is one of Paris's top boulangeries, attracting visitors from around the world for Christophe Vasseur's bread. They offer bread made with carefully selected, top-quality organic ingredients, carefully baked using traditional French techniques that Christophe Vasseur himself mastered. One of their most popular items is the "Pain des Amis(R)" (490 yen per slice), which means "friend's bread." Fermented for a long time to preserve the wheat's natural flavor, and baked slowly over time, it boasts a rich aroma. It is also served at renowned restaurants such as Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. Other items on offer at the Aoyama store, the first in Japan, include the "Mini Pavé" (260 yen), a first for Japan, made by mixing cheese, vegetables, and other ingredients into "Pain des Amis" dough, then cutting it into small pieces and baking it, as well as the original "Tartine" (390 yen) open sandwich made with "Pain des Amis(R)." Not only do they use the same ingredients as in France, such as flour and salt, but they also use a stone-floored oven, said to be rare even in Paris, to faithfully recreate the unique color, taste, texture, and aroma of the bread. Eleven other items will be available, including Parisian favorites such as "Bacon and Mimolette Cheese," "Semi-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Cheese," and "Olives and Herbes de Provence," as well as Japan-exclusive dishes using Japanese ingredients selected by Christophe Vasseur, such as "Miso and Green Onion" and "Whitebait, Plum, and Shiso."