Meringue Sweets in the 7th Arrondissement

Here's another dessert shop near Les Invalides, in Paris's 7th arrondissement. Rather than a famous name like Ladurée or Paul, I picked one that's relatively little known, though it's actually one of the best-known dessert shops in France.

The specialty is meringue. Meringue goes into cakes, cookies and other baked goods, but it also makes a dessert all on its own. You whisk egg whites in a bowl with sugar until they foam, then bake the foam at a low temperature.

The shop that sells meringue desserts is Aux Merveilleux de Fred. It's on the left as you leave the main gate of Les Invalides, with a Carrefour supermarket and a Starbucks nearby. There are around 10 shops in Paris, including ones near City Hall and near Notre-Dame Cathedral. It opens from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is closed on Mondays; on Sundays it closes at 7 p.m. Paris shops can change their hours on special days or at short notice, so check again before you go.

They sell meringue cookies filled with cream, with a crisp texture and a sweet taste. First-timers may find it quite unusual and unfamiliar. The shop also sells more familiar baked goods besides meringue. If a good restaurant is waiting on your next stop, pick a small size to taste.