Washington County’s Only French Café Just Opened In Rural Maine This Year

A French café on a quiet Downeast road is not something you expect to spot during an ordinary drive through rural Maine. Yet that is exactly what makes this little bakery so memorable.

Its Breton-inspired pastries and breads bring a distinctly French touch to a part of Washington County better known for coastal scenery and small communities. The café opened its permanent location in 2026 and quickly began drawing attention well beyond the immediate area.

Fresh croissants fill the pastry case, while house-baked breads give visitors another reason to stop. The menu also reaches beyond sweets, adding savory French dishes that make the café worth more than a quick coffee break. Its unusual location is only part of the story.

A True French Café

Few places surprise travelers quite like a Breton-inspired French café in the middle of rural Maine. Jonesboro is a small town of about 580 residents, making a French café here an unusual find.

The café sits at 749 US-1, right along the coastal highway that winds through Washington County. Drivers rolling through this stretch often do a double take when they spot the cheerful storefront with its sunny yellow front door.

What sets this place apart is how authentic it feels. The aromas of fresh-baked bread and buttery pastries drift out the moment you walk in, and it truly feels like a mini trip across the ocean.

For a region that had been missing a spot like this for years, the arrival of a real French bakery has been a welcome treat. It brings big-city quality to a small, remote community.

Being the only French café in the entire county gives La Laiterie a one-of-a-kind charm. It proves that wonderful things can pop up in the most unexpected corners of the map, waiting to be discovered by curious travelers.

Pastries Worth The Drive

The heart of La Laiterie beats inside its glass pastry case, and honestly, it is hard to pick just one favorite. Croissants here have those delicate, flaky layers that shatter softly with every bite.

The kouign-amann is a standout, buttery and caramelized until it reaches golden perfection. Almond croissants earn plenty of love too, along with the pain au chocolat that melts in your mouth.

The Petit Teton is another distinctive pastry, made with elderflower custard and strawberries. Whatever it is, people tend to dream about it long after their visit.

A strawberry-filled pastry keeps things balanced, sweet but never too sugary, with just the right ratio of filling to dough. The café’s laminated pastries rely on traditional French baking techniques that create crisp, buttery layers.

If you cannot decide, ordering one of everything is a completely reasonable plan. Many visitors do exactly that, then slowly work their way through the box for the rest of the day.

Simply put, these pastries could hold their own in any French city, which makes finding them in rural Maine feel extra sweet.

Artisan Breads Worth Taking Home

Bread lovers, take note, because the loaves at La Laiterie deserve their own spotlight. The café bakes its breads fresh, including baguettes, sourdough loaves, and pain de campagne.

The pain de campagne is a real showstopper, slightly sour and hearty with a nutty flavor that never turns too dark. Its thick, crunchy crust seals the deal.

Baguettes come out crisp on the outside and tender inside, perfect for pairing with a meal or simply tearing into on the drive home. House-made breads also form the base for many of the café’s sandwiches.

Grabbing a loaf to go is practically a tradition here. Plenty of visitors leave with bread tucked under one arm and a cookie for the road, saving the treat for later.

Because the bread is baked fresh, the smell alone is enough to convince anyone to buy an extra loaf. It fills the whole café and follows you out the door.

For anyone who appreciates real artisan baking, these breads are reason enough to make the trip to Jonesboro all on their own.

Coffee And Signature Maple Lattes

Coffee is part of La Laiterie’s café menu, and its maple latte has earned mentions from local visitors. The maple latte adds a Maine-inspired flavor to the café’s French-focused food and pastry menu.

Even folks who normally skip iced coffee from small cafés tend to change their minds here. The maple latte is one of the café’s notable coffee drinks and can be paired easily with the pastry selection.

The drinks arrive looking as lovely as they taste, presented with care that makes you feel a bit fancy while sipping. A simple cup of regular coffee is done just as thoughtfully.

Quality shows up in the details, from the beans to the milk to the finishing touches on top. Every latte feels crafted rather than rushed.

Pairing a maple latte with a fresh croissant is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a morning here. The two seem made for each other.

For travelers used to big-city coffee shops, these drinks stand tall. They deliver the kind of quality you might not expect from a café tucked into such a peaceful, rural corner of the state.

More Than Pastries

Sweet treats may steal the first glance, but La Laiterie serves plenty of savory options too. The menu reaches well beyond the pastry case into hearty, satisfying meals.

Buckwheat galettes and crêpes bring classic French flavors to the table, while the leek and Gruyère quiche turns out wonderfully creamy. Sandwiches built on house-made bread are both tasty and Instagram-worthy.

Seafood fans will feel right at home along this coastal stretch. Moules frites, the beloved French dish of mussels and fries, shows up here alongside fresh oysters that celebrate Maine’s ocean bounty.

There is even room for adventurous bites like charcuterie, pâtés, bone marrow, and Jonah crab butter. A smoked salmon croissant makes an appetizing lunch that leaves you licking your fingers.

Having actual meals available means La Laiterie works for more than a quick coffee break. You can sit down and enjoy a full, thoughtful lunch.

The blend of French technique with local Maine ingredients gives every dish a sense of place. It feels authentically French while still tasting completely at home on the coast, which is a rare and delightful combination.

A Bright, Airy Space With Modern Charm

Walk in and the setting instantly puts you at ease. The café was recently remodeled in a gorgeous way, with big windows that let sunlight pour across the room.

Soft red-orange seating adds a pop of color, while clean lines and thoughtful details create a calm, modern feel. The space is airy and uncluttered, never crowded or noisy.

It strikes a nice balance between cozy and fresh. You could catch up with a friend, sip a latte solo, or settle in with a laptop and get a little work done.

Cleanliness stands out too, from the dining area to the spotless restroom. Everything feels cared for and welcoming.

The atmosphere makes it easy to relax and linger, which is exactly what a good café should offer. Some travelers even imagine it hosting a small local art show someday.

Because the room is smaller and intimate, it invites conversation and a slower pace. Solo visitors and pairs will feel especially comfortable here.

Every detail, from the yellow front door to the soft seating, adds up to a space that feels both stylish and genuinely inviting for anyone who stops by.

Run By A Talented Couple With Big Kitchen Experience

Behind all this deliciousness stands a hardworking couple, Ross Florance and McKenna Koledo. Together they bring both skill and heart to everything La Laiterie serves.

Ross carries experience from some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens, and it shows in his careful, thoughtful cooking. Yet nothing feels showy or fussy, just honest food made with real mastery.

His French technique appears in every flaky layer and perfectly caramelized crust. Still, the dishes stay warm and approachable rather than intimidating.

McKenna Koledo oversees operations, marketing, communications, and the café’s front-of-house side of the business. Her role focuses on the guest experience and the day-to-day operation of the café.

The pairing of talented baking and kind hospitality gives the café its special soul. It feels personal and heartfelt, the kind of place you want to belong to.

Their teamwork turns La Laiterie into more than a bakery. It becomes a small community gathering spot where quality and kindness go hand in hand.

Finding a chef of this caliber in a tiny Downeast town is remarkable, and the care this couple pours into their work makes every visit feel meaningful.

When To Visit And Tips For Newcomers

Planning your trip is easy once you know the schedule. La Laiterie opens Thursday through Sunday, with hours from 8 AM to 2 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and a longer day on Saturday until 5 PM.

The café stays closed Monday through Wednesday, so aim for the back half of the week. Mornings are ideal if you want first pick from the pastry case before popular items sell out.

You will find the café at 749 US-1 in Jonesboro, right along the main coastal route. Parking is simple and stress-free, which is always a bonus on a road trip.

Since seating is limited, smaller groups and solo visitors fit best. If you are traveling with a big crew, grabbing treats to go is a smart move.

Bring a little patience and an open mind, since everything is made fresh and served in lovely, thoughtful portions. Do not forget to take home a loaf of bread or a cookie for later.

Worth the drive and the detour, this café rewards anyone willing to seek it out along the quiet Downeast coast.