Review Highlights
“The initial crisp bite into the butter and almond croissants met with the chewy and rich insides are (chefs kiss).” in 10 reviews
“I've also found some pretty nifty things from the south of France, like a liquid handsoap that I love.” in 7 reviews
“Whenever family or friends come to visit, French Rendezvous is on the list of must-see/eat places in Cincinnati.” in 2 reviews
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26 reviews
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- Sep 26, 2023
A truly hidden gem! This place has warm fresh croissants and coffee. There is an outdoor place to sit down and relax while you enjoy the nature scenery. It is like an boutique and they have fabrics and fun trinkets. I was amazed by all the scents and home decor. You could spend hours just talking or walking around the store. Truly amazed by this place and it is on my list to go back.
We got truffles, croissants, coffee, and the best smelling hand soap. Overall successful trip. Check this place out :)Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - 14413376Feb 5, 2023
Hands down the best almond croissants you'll ever eat. I only got two and wishing I would have bought more.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 1 - Fiorella G.Atlanta, GA122Jun 10, 2023
the best croissants in ohio!! i would highly recommend the almond and chocolate croissants. the place is very cute and quaint and the owner was so sweet. we sat outside in the garden to enjoy the croissants (just be aware of the bees lol)
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Theresa S.Newport, KY167548562Jun 26, 2022
Rumor has it this darling little shop has the best coissants in the city and some pretty spectacular french bread, too. I've also found some pretty nifty things from the south of France, like a liquid handsoap that I love.
Owners are super sweet and it's definitely a hidden gem. Stop by if you want a taste of Provence!Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - 4606503571Feb 26, 2020
My friend took me to this wonderful shop just last week and I fell in love with the look and feel of this place. As a lover of French things, including my hubby, I was in heaven. So much to see here whether it's the art, the dinnerware, regular french fabrics or oiled french fabrics for tablecloths, aprons, food, I could go on and on. Lots of yummies to eat. Although it is not to eat there as they don't have the room.
The first time I bought regular croissants, chocolate ones and almond ones, a frozen baguette and best of all Savora Mustard that we can't find anyplace else around except for ordering off the internet. This is one of our favorite mustards from France with it's slightly sweet and spicy flavor. I told my husband about it as soon as I got home and asked him what French thing he would be very happy to have that we can't find locally and he guessed the Savora! Next to fresh baguettes, these frozen ones are fairly close to what you can get in France. So nice that you can let them thaw and put in the oven when you want at home because a real french baguette would be almost inedible if they were to bake it and have it out for hours waiting for someone to purchase. Only one French bakery here had what tasted to be the same, but they are now closed. Personally, the chocolate croissant was not the best tasting (even above the frozen ones the Trader Joe's sells) of the three types I bought and I love chocolate. The almond croissant was the winner!
I took hubby there today and he bought more baguettes, I got another almond croissant and he got a chance to talk with the owner in French. Plus, he loved the one tablecloth fabric that was my favorite, but that is for another time. There were lots of cicadas in the fabric design and in pottery on the walls. Because I have a cicada brooch from my aunt in France, I asked him about it. It is a symbol adopted by the south of France and it can mean good luck or enjoy life. The wall pouches of the cicadas are to put lavender in as it grows well in the south of France, especially Provence. I may have to pick one up!!Helpful 6Thanks 1Love this 4Oh no 0 - Hannah C.Cincinnati, OH29083Feb 6, 2021
You have to try the almond croissant. They run out fast so buy all of them if you get the chance. The texture is the perfect balance of flaky, crunchy buttery exterior with a soft, custard-like inside. The flavor balanced sweetness and nuttiness. The butter croissant is also to die for. I could and would eat here everyday.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 73360897May 16, 2016
What a great find! I was driving past on my way to Mariemont and had to return.
Yummy goodies to eat like Macarons and chocolate croissant. Goods that are packaged like coffee, cookies and jams.
The linens are lovely. Sweet sets for the table, towels and aprons. Ah...Provençal! Loved the cicadas so much I had to purchase one for a gift. A selection of quimper pottery and antiques.
Will have to return with my teenage daughter who loves all things French. Enjoyed talking with the owner.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Eun K.Kenwood, OH011Feb 6, 2021
The initial crisp bite into the butter and almond croissants met with the chewy and rich insides are (chefs kiss). The owners are as sweet and lovely as the chocolate croissants. They only thing I'm upset about is that they tease you with their short hours of business. The tease however is not as bad as the taste lingering in your mind for hours after. I'm beating myself up for not entering this beautiful establishment earlier in my life. This could've been my light of 2020. Instead, this is the light of 2021, and I can now treasure this place for the rest of my life.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Amy L.Cincinnati, OH197140173Dec 21, 2016
I have been meaning to check this place out for awhile. What are the odds of finding a quaint, authentic French cafe/boutique in the middle of Madisonville?
The owner of this place is obviously French, and has this cute home stocked with plenty of French gifts, textiles, antiques.. you name it. I was obviously there for the pastries, but that's besides the point.
The almond croissant here, is AMAZING. It probably is just as good (might be better?) than French Crust Cafe's, which is the best in the city. I was really hoping to order a cappuccino, however they only had freshly ground coffee you could get from a dispenser. Although it was fresh, I was really hoping to be fully transported back to France with a nice cappuccino and fresh croissant (espresso machine in the near future please?).
Overall, I really loved this space. They had fresh macarons, pain au chocolats, breads, and even more imported French items. I will be coming back for the croissant, and keeping my fingers crossed for an espresso machine!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Tom J.Cincinnati, OH195212753Jan 13, 2016
If you count yourself as a lover of all (or most) things French, I think you owe it to yourself to check out this tiny boutique-like business set inside a remodeled home in the heart of Madisonville
I go by this place regularly on my way to and from work daily, but I hadn't considered stopping in until - just a few weeks ago - I noticed a temporary sidewalk sign out front that mentioned they have croissants and macarons. I love a good croissant, and am always looking for a great one, so I finally made it over there about a week ago
In my two visits, I have sampled a raspberry macaron, a chocolate croissant, and a plain/butter croissant. The macaron was good, but so small that it was just a one-bite affair, and therefore pricey even at just 1.60. The chocolate croissant was also on the small side compered to others I have had, but for taste and texture on par with the one at Freidas just up the road in Madeira, which is to say it was very, very good. The surprise of the bunch was the butter croissant, which I will only say was the best I have ever had, bar none. But, yes - again - on the small side.
I have yet to try the almond, cherry, raisin, or apple pastries also on the very limited food menu here, but I will definitely be back for those as well. Before you ask - no, no, NO! - they don't have french fries or french dressing :-)
One quibble - croissants are a breakfast thing to me, and they do not open til 10, which is well past breakfast time for most working folks except on the weekends.
I should mention that although I go here for the pastries, these are only a small fraction of the wares available for sale here. Tons of imported french merchandise for sale. I haven't looked it all over so I can't provide more detail.
Parking seems to be a bit of a problem. There is a standard one-lane residential driveway here that could possibly accommodate 3 cars, but if three cars did park here, the third would have to leave before the second could get out, and so on. I chose to park on the street to avoid that possibility
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