What is Berthillon and why is it the preferred frozen treat of Parisians?

When you think luxury, does your mind immediately go to frozen desserts? Mine certainly does. Berthillon is a French manufacturer and retailer of luxury ice cream and sorbet that operates out of Paris, France. While this company has been around for almost a century, they rose to fame only in 1961 when a French restaurant guide Gault Millau wrote about “this astonishing ice cream shop hidden in a bistro on the Ile Saint-Louis. (Credit: Wikipedia and first-hand experience)

Berthillon sorbet is best enjoyed along the Seine

The ideal treat for a hot summer day

Tourists and locals alike line up for a taste of ice cream and sorbet from Berthillon. However, if you prefer to skip long queues at the flagship store, many local restaurants proudly serve this brand of frozen desserts. My personal recommendation: check out the price before paying extra at a restaurant. Sometimes the wait is worth saving a few Euros.

Sorbet enjoyed with a view of Notre Dame Cathedral

Wasps like Berthillon, too

If you are enjoying a refreshing treat at the end of the summer, beware of a sorbet and ice cream predator: wasps. Tips for preventing being chased by wasps (as I was the first time I tried to enjoy sorbet along the Seine) include running with your cone, eating it as fast as possible, and buying two cones at once so you can enjoy one of them while wasps swarm the other.

The best flavor

You can’t go wrong with any flavor. Passionfruit is a local favorite and Americans who don’t usually have access to flavors like black currant (cassis, in French) might prefer venturing out of their comfort zones. The comfort zone is a great place to live with Berthillon, as flavors like raspberry and melon pack quite a punch. You will be amazed at how authentic it tastes.