Where to go in France to find the best ice cream
Oliver Gee - [email protected]
Published: 24 Aug, 2016 CET.
Updated: Wed 24 Aug 2016 13:55 CET
France is sizzling in a late summer heat wave, and what better way to cool down than with a scoop or two of top quality ice cream?
With temperatures reaching the high 30's in many parts of the country, it's the perfect excuse to check out your local ice cream parlour.
Here's our countdown of the best places to go across France - and if you live near Nice, you're in luck.
These are nine of the best ranked parlours in the country, according to the trusty users of travel website TripAdvisor.
9. Glacier des Alpes, Annecy, Haute-Savoie
In Annecy, eastern France, you're already spoiled with a fairy tale setting - and the ice cream's not half bad either.
Customers were very pleased to be getting "free mini scoops" and were quick to mention it in their reviews.
"A long queue most of the time but that's what it takes for heaven!" trumpeted one.
(Photo: Glacier des Alpes/Facebook)
8. Gelateria Meraviglia, Nice, Côte d'Azur
The next entry on the list is located in Nice in southern France, which may as well be renamed as the ice cream capital of the country with three entries on this list.
"The range of flavours isn't ridiculously huge or gimmicky, but what they sell is pure-tasting & velvety," wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer.
(Photo: Gelateria Meraviglia/Facebook)
7. Tonton Maboule, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
"Best ice cream of my life," writes one reviewer.
"Not only are the flavours amazingly good (mango feels like biting in the fruit and raspberry is a dream) but listening to the owner explaining how he got there is amazing."
(Photo: Tonton Maboule/Facebook)
6. Gelateria Azzurro, Nice, Côte d'Azur
Another Nice gelateria, another top score.
"The ice cream was more than yum - it was yummy," said one reviewer, giving five out of five stars.
5. Glaces de la Ferme (Gaec du Bois-Louvet), Honfleur, Normandie
Reviewers praised the local touch of this ice-cream parlour in northern France, many pointing out the natural ingredients.
One called it the "best ice cream in the world" and recommended the prune and armangac flavour.
Another said: "The best ice creams in town and I should know because I have tried them all with children and grandchildren! Buy one and sit on the wall looking over the harbour...you will not regret the sensation."
4. Arlequin Gelati, Nice, Côte d'Azur
Back to the city of Nice on the French Riviera.
"How can you pack so much nutty flavour in a gelato?" asks one reviewer.
The staff here are said to be extremely generous, adding whipped cream when requested and offering seemingly endless tasters, reviewers say.
(Photo: arlequin-gelati.com)
3. Scaramouche, artisan glacier, Céreste, Vaucluse
In Vaucluse, near Aix en Provence, lies an ice cream shop that's off the beaten track but worth a visit.
"This is easily the best artisanal ice cream in all of France and well worth the drive," says one reviewer.
"The classic flavours are phenomenal, but if you're more adventurous, try the beetroot or ginger lime sorbets. The floral flavors (lavender, verbena) are my personal favorites."
2. Walter Glacier, Hendaye, Pays basque
As far south as you can head on France's west coast, you'll find Walter Glacier, a real fan favourite.
Indeed, many of the comments online praise Walter himself.
"The friendliness of the staff is matched only by the outstanding quality of the products."
1. Papilla, Juan-les-Pins, Côte d'Azur
And finally, we're back on the Riviera for the number one ice cream in France, at Papilla.
"I'm an ice cream addict. Would go back here in a heartbeat! Vanilla, mint, strawberry and banana were all fabulous," said a reviewer.
Others talked about the joys of getting multiple tasters, with one thanking the owners for their multiple scoops.
"Thanks for the fantastic ice cream! All ten ice cream balls were delicious," they wrote.
On that note, our mouths are watering... we're off to get some ice cream.
(Photo: Papilla.fr)
A version of this article was published in August 2015.
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With temperatures reaching the high 30's in many parts of the country, it's the perfect excuse to check out your local ice cream parlour.
Here's our countdown of the best places to go across France - and if you live near Nice, you're in luck.
These are nine of the best ranked parlours in the country, according to the trusty users of travel website TripAdvisor.
9. Glacier des Alpes, Annecy, Haute-Savoie
In Annecy, eastern France, you're already spoiled with a fairy tale setting - and the ice cream's not half bad either.
Customers were very pleased to be getting "free mini scoops" and were quick to mention it in their reviews.
"A long queue most of the time but that's what it takes for heaven!" trumpeted one.
(Photo: Glacier des Alpes/Facebook)
8. Gelateria Meraviglia, Nice, Côte d'Azur
The next entry on the list is located in Nice in southern France, which may as well be renamed as the ice cream capital of the country with three entries on this list.
"The range of flavours isn't ridiculously huge or gimmicky, but what they sell is pure-tasting & velvety," wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer.
(Photo: Gelateria Meraviglia/Facebook)
7. Tonton Maboule, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
"Best ice cream of my life," writes one reviewer.
"Not only are the flavours amazingly good (mango feels like biting in the fruit and raspberry is a dream) but listening to the owner explaining how he got there is amazing."
(Photo: Tonton Maboule/Facebook)
6. Gelateria Azzurro, Nice, Côte d'Azur
Another Nice gelateria, another top score.
"The ice cream was more than yum - it was yummy," said one reviewer, giving five out of five stars.
5. Glaces de la Ferme (Gaec du Bois-Louvet), Honfleur, Normandie
Reviewers praised the local touch of this ice-cream parlour in northern France, many pointing out the natural ingredients.
One called it the "best ice cream in the world" and recommended the prune and armangac flavour.
Another said: "The best ice creams in town and I should know because I have tried them all with children and grandchildren! Buy one and sit on the wall looking over the harbour...you will not regret the sensation."
4. Arlequin Gelati, Nice, Côte d'Azur
Back to the city of Nice on the French Riviera.
"How can you pack so much nutty flavour in a gelato?" asks one reviewer.
The staff here are said to be extremely generous, adding whipped cream when requested and offering seemingly endless tasters, reviewers say.
(Photo: arlequin-gelati.com)
3. Scaramouche, artisan glacier, Céreste, Vaucluse
In Vaucluse, near Aix en Provence, lies an ice cream shop that's off the beaten track but worth a visit.
"This is easily the best artisanal ice cream in all of France and well worth the drive," says one reviewer.
"The classic flavours are phenomenal, but if you're more adventurous, try the beetroot or ginger lime sorbets. The floral flavors (lavender, verbena) are my personal favorites."
2. Walter Glacier, Hendaye, Pays basque
As far south as you can head on France's west coast, you'll find Walter Glacier, a real fan favourite.
Indeed, many of the comments online praise Walter himself.
"The friendliness of the staff is matched only by the outstanding quality of the products."
1. Papilla, Juan-les-Pins, Côte d'Azur
And finally, we're back on the Riviera for the number one ice cream in France, at Papilla.
"I'm an ice cream addict. Would go back here in a heartbeat! Vanilla, mint, strawberry and banana were all fabulous," said a reviewer.
Others talked about the joys of getting multiple tasters, with one thanking the owners for their multiple scoops.
"Thanks for the fantastic ice cream! All ten ice cream balls were delicious," they wrote.
On that note, our mouths are watering... we're off to get some ice cream.
(Photo: Papilla.fr)
A version of this article was published in August 2015.
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