Melanie Paul-Hus of Atout France at the Air France pop-up in downtown Toronto
It was a sweet treat to visit Air France’s newest digs in downtown Toronto, a delicious pop-up pậtisserie in the heart of Bloor Street’s tony “mink mile.”
Marking 50 years of service between CDG and YYZ, La Pậtisserie tempts visitors to try some of the signature pastries business class passengers have enjoyed en route.
Air France executives, along with representatives from the French tourist office Atout France and French Consul Bertrand Pous, were on hand to celebrate the shop’s debut, but in true pop-up fashion, it will only be open until 17MAY. Until then, visitors are welcome to settle into the cozy coffee lounge and purchase a selection of dainties to enjoy in situ or take home.
The pop-up also offers the chance to peruse nostalgic media coverage about Air France’s history in Toronto. One press clipping reads, “Air France to inaugurate Toronto-Paris jet service” beside an ad offering Monday-Thursday packages to Las Vegas for just $279, air and hotel included.
It’s been half a century since the first Air France 747 jumbo jet made the inaugural journey from CDG to YYZ. At the time, its three flights a week were the only ones serving the route.
This summer, there will be two Air France flights leaving YYZ every day — plus seven weekly flights each from YVR and YOW; 28 flights from YUL; and four from YQB, making for an impressive 60 flights per week. YUL is also celebrating: this year marks 75 years of Air France service.
“Canada is our second-biggest market internationally, after the US,” said Jean-Eudes de La Bretèche, Country Manager, Air France KLM Canada. Pop-ups like this —which have included a beach-themed one in Cannes and one in Paris’ Galleries Lafayette department store — introduce people to the airline’s gastronomic offerings.
“Such an important part of the onboard experience,” he said, adding Air France is the only airline in the world to offer champagne (the real stuff) to all passengers, in all classes.
Even though the focus of the get-together was Air Frances’s delicious B-class pastries, we also chatted about the current status of the skies.
“Fuel is absolutely a strong challenge, but so far it has had no impact on our operations in Canada,” de La Bretèche said. “The demand for Europe is strong, though travellers are booking closer to departure date than in the past.”
If you’re in Toronto, stop by and sample your own sweet treats at La Pậtisserie at 151 Bloor St. West.