As in other European cities, artisan bakeries are on the rise in Brussels. This new generation of bakers share the same passion for making bread in the most traditional way possible and using organic ingredients. Boulengier is one of them and it is definitively my favorite bakery.

Located in Brussels’ Saint Gilles neighbourhood, Boulengier was founded by two young professionals who decided to give up their jobs in the communication field and team up with a French artisan baker. I like the “fin de siècle” look of this shop-atelier with its marble counters, stylish lights and stained-glass window.

At Boulengier you can choose among 15 different sorts of bread made from organic flours, original grains and home-made natural yeast. One of my preferred breads is the petit épautre made from spelt and I love their traditional baguette which is wrapped up in a nice blue and white tissue paper.

This bakery also offers a wide selection of traditional cakes and Viennese pastries such as marble cake, pain au chocolat and chouquettes, the French name for little choux pastries. At weekends I use to go to Boulengier to get croissants or a delicious brioche. I also go crazy for their tasty gingerbread during Christmas time.

Close to Boulengier there is a street, rue Vanderschrick, on which the buildings were almost entirely designed by famous Art-Nouveau architect Ernest Blérot. If you are staying in this neighbourhood you can combine a walk to this Art-Nouveau gem and a stop at Boulengier for a croissant!