Turning a Dream into a Destination: The Success Story of Paris Rendez-Vous
- Sacha Francois
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Arriving in the United States with a long-held dream and a bold entrepreneurial spirit, Laurence and Michael Rousselle transformed a missed opportunity into a true success story: Paris Rendez-Vous, a bakery that has become a beloved landmark of artisanal excellence in the heart of Phoenix Valley. Together they had to relearn everything - the language, the culture, the laws and regulations and above all the art of French pastry-making.
Eleven years later, their shop stands out for its quality - croissants made with French butter, macarons in 21 flavors, homemade quiches and desserts - and for its charming “little Parisian corner”atmosphere so cherished by their customers. As the holidays approach,ParisRendez-Vousprepares its traditional Yule logs and in January, the classic Galette desRois: must-try specialties that tell a story of a craft patiently learned and lovingly mastered.
Michael, can you share your story with us? What brought you and your wife Laurence from France to Arizona and how did your culinary adventure begin?
I worked for 25 years as a sales executive in the construction industry in France, while Laurence built her career in accounting and financial controlling, notably with Nestlé. Since my teenage years, I had always dreamed of living in the United States - a dream born from my very first trips abroad at the age of 13. Life moved forward, we had children, but everyone knew that one day I would leave for the U.S.
The opportunity came in 2013 with a macaron franchise project in Florida. After extensive research, we realized the franchise was not reliable, but we loved the concept. During amarketstudy trip, we visited friends in Phoenix, and on the return flightLaurencesaid: “Okay for the U.S.but it will be Phoenix,not Florida.” Thatis how we decided to move here in 2014.
Since we were not from the pastry world at all, we initially looked for suppliers. But by pure chance, we met a retired French pastry chef who passed on his knowledge to us. Since then, everything has been made in-house-from croissants to macarons-using imported ingredients, including traditional French butter.
Where did the idea of creating “Paris Rendez-Vous” come from? Was there a particular moment or inspiration that pushed you to open your own pastry shop?
The idea was born through our initial contact with the macaron franchise, which inspired us to open a French pastry shop, even though we had no experience in the industry at the time. We started by reselling products from suppliers, but thanks to our encounter with our pastry chef, we learned how to make everything ourselves.
As for the name, we first chose “Paris Gourmet,” but an importer in New York already owned that name andkindlyasked us to change it. During a French conversation group, an American woman suggested “ParisRendez-Vous”and the name immediately felt right.
How do you bring the authentic experience of a French pastry shop to the heart of Phoenix?
Thanks to our pastry chef, who previously owned up to three boutiques in Paris and trained us in traditional French pastry techniques. We use imported French butter, we create our own flour blends, and we respect true artisanal methods. Everything is homemade, which allows us to offer a truly authentic experience to our clients.
What are your must-have products - your favorites and those your customers keep coming back for?
Croissants are our absolute must, along with our entire viennoiserie selection. Many customers tell us we have the best croissants in the valley, because we use real French butter and follow a traditional recipe. Our macarons are also extremely popular. I make about 200 per day, but it took me many attempts to master the recipe - the first twenty batches went straight to the trash! We also offer various quiches, tarts, and desserts, all homemade. We do not make bread, as the investment would be too high and local demand is not sufficient.
The holiday season is always special in French pastry culture. What are you preparing this year for Christmas? Are there any festive specialties or limited-edition creations not to be missed?
For Christmas, we prepare the traditional Yule log (Bûche de Noël) in four flavors, including two gluten-free: buttercream (chocolate, coffee, praline), crunchy chocolate, exotic, and apple-ginger. The logs are available in several sizes, by order for pickup on December 23 and 24, and it’s best to order before December 20. We also offer quiches and tarts (pecan pie, fruit tarts, apple tarts). After Christmas, the Galette des Rois takes center stage, homemade with real frangipane and real puff pastry, available in two sizes. We recommend that orders are placed at least 48 hours in advance.
Running a pastry shop is both an art and a science. What does a typical day at "Paris Rendez-Vous" look like?
Our days are very full. We usually arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m., sometimes earlier on Saturdays for the farmers markets. We open at 8:00 a.m. and production continues all day since everything is homemade. We close around 4:00 p.m., and it is not uncommon to work seven days a week, especially in the early years. It is a demanding profession but passion and quality keep us going.
How has the Phoenix community welcomed your pastry shop? Are there any memorable moments with your customers that have particularly touched you?
Our clientele is mainly American, often people who travel a lot and find a little piece of France with us. They appreciate the quality and authenticity and we are warmly welcomed by the local community. Most of our customers are quite affluent and tend to prioritize quality over price.
French customers are fewer, unfortunately, as many are naturally accustomed to French pricing, which is difficult to replicate in the U.S. due to imported ingredients and higher operating costs.Additionally, some enjoy preparing certain specialties at home. That said, we would truly love to welcome more members of the French community to our shop.
What have been the biggest challenges in developing "Paris Rendez-Vous," and what are you most proud of today?
The biggest challenge was learning pastry-making itself, since this was not our original profession. We also had to adapt to the language, U.S. regulations and local business laws. Hiring reliable long-term staff has been difficult and raw material costs- especially imported butter and chocolate - keep increasing.
My greatest pride is that we have lasted more than ten years in this business without prior experience. We built a strong reputation and managed to share a little piece of France with Phoenix. I also fulfilled my dream of living in the U.S. with my family-my daughters are now fully bilingual and bicultural.
Do you have any projects, new products, or future developments you would like to share with us?
We are launching new soup offerings and are always looking to expand our menu. In the medium term - within three to four years - we would like to gradually hand over the business, ideally to a professional pastry chef, to preserve the brand and reduce our workload. We are open to partnerships or a progressive transition.
How can our readers find "Paris Rendez-Vous" or contact you?
They can simply visit us at 10320 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 and also visit our website, or follow us on social media to explore our creations and place your orders:
Paris Rendez-Vous is more than just a bakery - it is a school of patience, where the true art of French pastry is honored through a deep respect for craftsmanship and noble ingredients. From golden butter croissants to crunchy chocolate Christmas logs, and the homemade Galette des Rois crafted with real puff pastry and frangipane, every creation reflects a simple yet powerful commitment: to do things beautifully, every single day.
If you wish to grace your holiday table with a touch of authentic French tradition, be sure to place your order for a delicious Yule log before December 20th, or for the Galette desRoisin early January (48-hour pre-order is recommended).
The Rocky Mountain French American Chamber of Commerce (RMFACC) is proud to countParisRendez-Vousamong its members and warmly wishesLaurenceandMichaelcontinued success, growth, and many beautiful new chapters ahead.
Comments