A husband-and-wife team from Annecy, France packed up their pastry know-how and planted it a few blocks from the Atlantic, and somehow it works better than you’d expect. Valerie and Alexandre Perchat opened this spot in 2023, with Alexandre bringing more than three decades of pastry chef experience to the counter, and the result is a small bakery that regularly gets compared favorably to actual patisseries in France.
What started as a concept called Les Petits Pleasures has grown into one of the most talked-about breakfast and lunch stops on this stretch of A1A. Between the flaky croissants, the imported French ingredients, and a rating that hovers around 4.7 stars across hundreds of reviews, it’s earned a loyal following of both locals and beachgoers who plan their mornings around getting there before the good stuff runs out.
What to Order
The croissants are the headline act here, and rightfully so. You can get them plain, chocolate, or almond, and the almond version in particular has developed a reputation for selling out fast, which tells you something about how good it is. They’re made with imported French flour and butter, which gives them that shattery, buttery quality that’s genuinely hard to find outside of France.
Beyond the classic croissant, the turkey brie croissant sandwich is a standout, taking the same laminated dough and turning it into a proper lunch. Other savory options include ham and cheese, chicken salad, and veggie omelet sandwiches, so this isn’t strictly a sweets-only stop; you can genuinely build a full breakfast or lunch around what’s in the case.
On the sweeter side, the blueberry custard danish and the éclairs consistently get singled out as favorites. The bakery also turns out artisanal breads and tarts, and the coffee program includes cappuccinos and a French chai latte, giving you a reason to linger a bit rather than just grab and go.
Atmosphere & Décor
This is a genuinely cozy café setup, built for both dine-in and takeout, and the space aims to transport you to a French bakery rather than feel like a beach town coffee shop with a French menu bolted on. It’s small and warm rather than sprawling, which fits the intimate, family-run feel of the place.
The energy leans casual and unpretentious. You order at the counter, the staff is known for walking newcomers through unfamiliar pastry names without making anyone feel rushed, and the overall vibe is friendly rather than fussy, even though the pastries themselves are anything but simple.
Other Considerations
When’s the best time to go? Earlier is better. The almond croissants and other popular items have a track record of selling out, especially on weekends, so if you have your heart set on something specific, a morning visit is your safest bet.
Is this just a pastry case, or can I get a real meal? Both. Alongside the croissants and danishes, you’ll find proper breakfast and lunch sandwiches built on the same house-made dough, so it works as a full stop rather than just a sweet treat detour.
Is it a casual, walk-in kind of place? Yes. It’s counter service, quick, and low-key, making it an easy stop whether you’re headed to the beach or just craving something good with your coffee.
Are the pastries worth the price? Some items run a bit higher than your average bakery counter, but the consistent takeaway is that the quality, especially the imported ingredients and made-from-scratch approach, justifies the cost.
Une Autre Histoire, La French Bakery
📍 125 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
Website: https://uneautrehistoirefl.com/
