Four Standout Galettes des Rois to Try This Season

While January might be one of the year’s bleakest months, the galette des rois (King cake) festive delicacy makes the season much sweeter. Known for its tie to Epiphany on January 6, the galette des rois is a classic French dessert sold throughout January. 

Before enjoying the galette, diners typically play a game. The youngest member of the group sits under a table and picks the order in which others receive their slice. Hidden inside one is a “fève” – a small token. Whoever gets the fève is crowned King or Queen, and gets to wear a paper crown that is sold with the galette.

Historians trace the tradition’s roots back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia, honoring the god of Saturn. Celebrated on December 17, the winter festival incorporated a cake with a hidden bean, and whoever found it was crowned “king” for the day. During the Middle Ages, the tradition spread throughout France when a group of Benedictines created the pastry and almond frangipane recipe known today, to mark the date the three wise men – the “Three Kings” – arrived to see baby Jesus, on January 6.

While modern pâtissiers often reinterpret fillings and finishes, the essential elements remain unchanged: laminated pastry, an almond-based filling, a hidden fève and a moment of shared celebration. More than just a dessert, the galette remains a yearly event of collective indulgence – and healthy competition – across France. Having sampled our fair share, here are the standout galettes to buy in Paris as recommended by Mastermind.

Louis Vuitton by Maxime Frédéric

Maxime Frédéric brings his signature richness to the French tradition, incorporating the classic almond frangipane filling with a smooth hazelnut cream. Encased in crisp Viennese puff pastry, this galette leans indulgent – a true luxury house interpretation.

Available at 2 bis rue du Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris

Ritz Paris Le Comptoir

The Ritz’s frangipane galette pairs delicately laminated puff pastry with almond filling, topped with toasted slivered almonds for extra texture. This is one for the galette purists.

Available at Ritz Paris Le Comptoir boutiques.

Pleincœur

A bakery in the 17th arrondissement takes on the classic gallette, sticking to the traditional almond frangipane, updating it only slightly with the addition of hazelnuts. The pastry is crisp and sweet; the filling is light, with no artificial flavoring. The result is a comforting home cooked feeling. But be quick! The Pleincœur galettes sell out fast. 

Available at 64 rue des Batignolles, 75017 Paris

À la Mère de Famille x Stohrer

A collaboration between two of Paris’s oldest culinary institutions, this galette is an updated interpretation of the traditional galette: the frangipane is enriched with hazelnut paste, almond cream and homemade praline. With crushed caramelized roasted hazelnuts and dark chocolate chips, this really is an À la Mère de Famille dessert. 

Available at À la Mère de Famille and Stohrer stores.