boulangerie
/bu.lɑ̃ʒ.ʁi/
The French phrase boulangerie translates to bakery in English.
A boulangerie is a bakery that specializes in making and selling French bread.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from boulanger, meaning baker, with the suffix -ie denoting a place of business.
Which one should you use?
While a boulangerie focuses on bread, a pâtisserie focuses on pastries and sweets.
How do you pronounce it?
/bu.lɑ̃ʒ.ʁi/
Did you know?
- In France, you cannot legally call a shop a boulangerie unless the baker kneads, shapes, and bakes the bread on the premises. This law prevents businesses from simply reheating frozen dough and using the title.
- In France, a boulangerie is often the social heart of a village. Historically, the local baker was one of the few people who interacted with every single resident daily.
- The scent of a boulangerie is often used in French literature as a sensory shorthand for nostalgia, childhood and the warmth of home.
Examples in context
- Cette boulangerie fait des baguettes excellentes.This bakery makes excellent baguettes.
- Il y a une petite boulangerie dans la rue.There is a small bakery on the street.
- Je cherche une boulangerie ouverte le dimanche.I am looking for a bakery open on Sundays.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are walking down the street together.
- LucasTu veux aller à la boulangerie ?Do you want to go to the bakery?
- LéaOui, j'ai envie d'une baguette.Yes, I feel like having a baguette.
- LucasC'est juste au coin de la rue.It is just around the corner.
- LéaSuper, allons-y maintenant.Great, let's go now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry boulangerie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
