Paris opens first butter boutique with 30 varieties

Paris has opened its first boutique dedicated entirely to butter, Le Butter Shop, located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and offering 30 varieties from small family producers in Brittany, the Loire Valley, and northern France. Visitors can sample butter by the spoon and purchase in sizes from a 10-gram pat to a kilogram block, with flavors ranging from shallot, pepper, seaweed, and wild garlic to vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, and chocolate. Owner Erwan Leo, who also runs a wine-tasting business, compares butter to wine, suggesting it should enhance meals and be enjoyed with moderation, including recommendations like no more than four tartines a day. The shop’s popularity has been amplified by social media, drawing both tourists and locals who often try many varieties, and Leo has hinted at future flavors such as croissant and possibly violet. France’s annual butter consumption is about 8 kilograms per person, yet the country maintains a relatively low obesity rate of 14% for a developed nation. The venture reflects a broader celebration of French dairy and culinary culture, with Leo hoping to continue expanding the concept as interest grows.