From France to Fort Myers: Inside Aux Délices

If you are driving along South Tamiami Trail and suddenly spot the Eiffel Tower, you are not imagining things.

It is your first hint that you are about to step into a little slice of France. Aux Délices Artisan Bakery is a family-owned and operated French bakery that turns an everyday drive into a delicious detour.

One look through the window is enough to stop you in your tracks. Golden croissants glisten under the lights, their flaky layers practically begging to be pulled apart. Delicate pastries line the cases, so beautiful they look more like art than dessert, until the smell of butter and fresh bread reminds you they are very real and very edible.

Owner Remy Gratesol brings true French roots to every recipe. Born and raised in France, Gratesol trained in culinary school, where he mastered classic techniques and developed a deep love for traditional French cuisine.

That passion followed him across the ocean in 2017, when his uncle asked if he would take over the family’s French bakery in Fort Myers. The bakery had been serving the community for 45 years, and when his uncle was ready to retire, Gratesol did not hesitate.

“I have always wanted to live in Florida, so I jumped at the opportunity,” Gratesol said. He moved his family south and began a new chapter, carrying on the legacy one pastry at a time.

The authenticity does not stop with the owner. The ingredients are just as French as the recipes. The flour is imported directly from France and chosen with care.

“We use European flour because of the ingredients in it, like no bleach or bromated,” Gratesol said. “It means the flour is organic and has no GMO inside. We don't put sugar in our bread."

Everything at Aux Délices is made fresh, from the crusty breads to the delicate pastries. Gratesol prides himself on warm customer service and food that brings joy. One of his favorite parts of the job is meeting people face to face.

“I love seeing their reaction,” he said.

If you cannot make it to the bakery, chances are the bakery can come to you. Gratesol is a familiar face at local farmers' markets, where he sells his baked goods from a trailer Wednesday through Sunday. You can find him on Sanibel, in Cape Coral, at Lakes Park, Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, Babcock Ranch and Gateway.

Whether you stumble upon the Eiffel Tower out front or track him down at a farmers market, Aux Délices offers a taste of France that is flaky, buttery, and unforgettable.