The most beautiful Yule logs to adorn your Christmas table

Gone are the days when Yule logs looked like wooden logs dripping with buttercream adorned with tacky plastic reindeer and gifts. In recent years, the holiday season has become an unmissable event for top pastry chefs, all vying to outdo one another with creativity, unveiling true masterpieces with high “wow” potential. We tasted an astronomical number to reveal our favorites—both stunning and delicious—that are sure to amaze your guests. Enjoy them with a dessert fork (not a spoon!) on elegant plates, to truly do them justice.

Feast your eyes on this little marvel by Léandre Vivier for the Burgundy Paris: presented as a bouquet of frosted buttercups, this reinterpretation of the Mont Blanc combines chestnut with the zest of blackcurrant, lime's acidity, and the velvety smoothness of vanilla, rounded off with juniper berries for a woody touch.

Burgundy Paris, 6-8 rue Duphot, Paris 1st. Yule log for 6–8 people, €105. Available December 19–31. Click-and-collect only, 48-hour advance order required.
© Burgundy

A nostalgic trip back to childhood on Brittany's beaches for Maxence Barbot, who presents a stunning seashell for the Shangri-La Paris: crunchy chocolate and fleur de sel biscuit, paired with frosty vanilla mousse and cream, roasted spiced pear marmalade, and vanilla caviar. A delight that will impress at dessert time.

Shangri-La Paris, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16th. Yule log priced at €128. Available for pick-up on-site from December 9–31.
© Shangri-La Paris

For the 2024 edition, Maison Lenôtre, inspired by the craftsmanship of fine jewelry, unveils a signature Yule log crafted like a piece of haute joaillerie. Designed by Étienne Leroy and his team, this delicately chiseled creation evokes the elegance of a rare gem, both festive and refined. Beneath its glossy cocoa glaze and finely sculpted chocolate decorations lies an explosion of flavors. A decadent citrus and chocolate biscuit core is elevated by a touch of cream infused with lime leaf, awakened by a hazelnut crunch. Chocolate botanical elements, adorned with velvet and shimmering finishes, crown this masterpiece to brighten your holiday tables.

Lenôtre, Yule log for 8 people, priced at €190. Online orders available.
© Lenôtre

The talented MOF and pastry chef Yann Brys offers an adorable Santa's boot, a highly visual interpretation of the Yule log celebrating citrus: a delicate almond and citrus-flavored biscuit base on a bed of vanilla-mandarin cream and tangy red fruit compote, topped with a crunchy dried fruit layer and finished with a light vanilla mousse. Bonus: the chocolate gifts!

Nolinski Paris, 16 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris 1st. Yule log for 6 people, €78. Available for pick-up from December 17.
© Nolinski Paris

This winter at Bo&Mie, Christophe Carré plays up the magic! His wonderful oversized snowflake is all about lightness and freshness, featuring a Provence almond crisp atop a cloud of lemon cream from Menton, a creamy Bresse white cheese filling, and a cheesecake-inspired mousse. As beautiful as it is delicious!

Bo&Mie, Yule log for 6–8 people, €69.90. Click-and-collect and delivery available. Order by December 23. Find addresses online.
© Bo&Mie

Cuteness alert! We’re smitten with the surprise chocolate bear from Café de la Paix, perched on its log. It reveals creamy Madagascan vanilla mousse (organic!) and an insert of vanilla biscuit, crunchy pecan praline feuillantine, creamy pecan filling, and a touch of salted caramel. Topped with edible little gifts.

Café de la Paix, 5 place de l’Opéra, Paris 9th. Yule log for 6–8 people, €85. Available December 16–31, 2024. 48-hour advance order required.
© Café de la Paix

To enchant the holiday season, Claire Heitzler offers the Vanilla Snowflake, an ode to snowy landscapes' serenity: a truly indulgent dessert celebrating vanilla in all its forms, with a crispy shortbread, soft vanilla biscuit, vanilla praline, creamy vanilla rice pudding, and an airy vanilla mousse. Yum—finger-licking good!

Claire Heitzler, 9 rue du Parc, 92300 Levallois-Perret and La Samaritaine. Yule log for 6–8 people, €62. Available for in-store pickup.
© Claire Heitzler

A true gem to savor, Yann Couvreur’s Yule log reveals an elderflower design when sliced. A velvety baba with a white chocolate shell and St-Germain liquor (crafted from elderflowers), it’s packed with fresh pear chunks nestled in almond ganache.

St-Germain Yule Log, for 6 people, €69. Available for pick-up at all locations December 15–31.
© St-Germain

Pierre Hermé’s ultra-gourmet creation explores every facet of lemon with finesse. The precious citrus shines in every element, from the shortbread to the Chantilly cream, soft biscuit, and its addictive jelly, revealing every nuance of acidity and bitterness. A dessert paying tribute to the Maison's iconic fruity notes.

L’Infiniment Citron, available in individual (€10), 4-person (€48), and 8-person (€82) sizes. Pick-up or courier delivery available December 12, 2024–January 1, 2025.
© Pierre Hermé

After a stellar career in Parisian luxury hotels and 5-star establishments (Crillon, La Réserve, Prince de Galles...), pastry chef Nicolas Paciello embarks on his own sweet adventure with his brand, Nicolas Paciello Pâtisserie. This year, he surprises us with a Yule log that's both festive and refined: a spiced sponge cake, topped with a tangy citrus confit, beautifully contrasting with the biscuit's softness. Like a sweet gift, the sponge cake is hidden beneath a whipped ganache with the smooth flavors of hazelnut and vanilla—a true delight! Elegantly marbled, this Yule log is a visual nod to his brand and a joy to share with family or friends during the holidays.

Nicolas Paciello, Yule log for 6 people, priced at €59. Orders available online from November 26 to December 31.
© Laurent Fau

This year, at the legendary Hôtel de Crillon on Place de la Concorde, pastry chef Matthieu Carlin offers three flavors: intense chocolate, vibrant exotic fruits, and our absolute favorite—vanilla! A perfect blend of Tahitian and Madagascan vanillas meets buckwheat and puffed rice crunch, roasted vanilla cream, and a soft Genoa bread biscuit, enhanced by subtly salted roasted almond pieces. A divine balance for a moment of pure indulgence to share... or not!

Butterfly Pâtisserie - Crillon, 6 rue Boissy d'Anglas, Paris 8th. Yule log priced at €80. Available on-site and via Click & Collect from the e-shop.
© Butterfly Pâtisserie du Crillon

For her first Christmas Yule log at Saint James Paris, the exceptionally talented pastry chef Coline Doussin pulls out all the stops with a stunning and delicious creation, "By the Fireside," inspired by the iconic fireplace of the Bellefeuille restaurant. A dark chocolate and pine nut crunch pairs beautifully with a moist chocolate biscuit, while a Sylvester pine needle cream and smoked chocolate bring a touch of originality. A marbled white cheese mousse with chocolate adds an airy finish. To complete this indulgent experience, eight truffle-like mini Yule logs are included as petit fours for even more intense delight.

Saint-James Paris, 5 Place du Chancelier Adenauer, Paris 16th. Yule log priced at €140 for 6 to 8 people. Pre-orders available until December 15, with pick-up on December 23, 24, and 25. Orders via bellefeuille@saint-james-paris.com.
© Saint-James Paris

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