A French bakery that started in a home kitchen during the pandemic has grown into one of Seattle’s most beloved food destinations, and its newest location is giving the city’s northeast side a long-overdue taste of Paris.
The French Guys was founded in 2020 by Renaud Lacipiere and Thibault Beaugendre, two French nationals who arrived in Seattle in 2019 and quickly recognized what the city was missing. Lacipiere, a baker since age 15, and Beaugendre, who brings a business background to the partnership, met through a Facebook group for French expats in Seattle and built something that now draws lines out the door.
The bakery started the way many pandemic-era food businesses did, out of a home kitchen and into farmers’ markets. The French Guys began selling at markets across Seattle, including Queen Anne, Wallingford, Ballard, and the U-District, building a loyal following before opening their first permanent storefront on Capitol Hill in May 2023. The concept was straightforward: exclusively French products, made with traditional techniques, using a mix of locally sourced Pacific Northwest ingredients and imported French staples like butter and chocolate.
In June 2025, The French Guys opened their second location at University Village, marking a significant expansion for the brand. The U Village storefront offers the full French Guys experience, including pastries, breads, desserts, drinks, and savory entrees, with extended hours running daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Renaud says the new location has been very busy since opening, with customers responding strongly to both the product and the space’s design.
For first-time visitors, Renaud recommends starting with two items: the pistachio and orange bloom and the pain au chocolat. Both reflect the bakery’s commitment to making only what they know best. “The idea is to make only a specialty from France,” Renaud said. “That’s the only thing we know and want to share with our customers.”
The French Guys U Village location is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM at 2650 NE University Village Street. The Capitol Hill original remains open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM at 810 E Roy Street.
