The PAUL history
A family history since 1889
To dive into the history of PAUL is also to leaf through the album of a family that is proud to offer its customers tasty bread, delicious patisserie and viennoiserie, savoury sandwiches and so many other delicious creations that have been added over the course of time and five successive generations. Although for many PAUL is the embodiment of tradition, remaining true to its roots, PAUL has never stopped inventing new things and breaking new ground.
1889
In the same year that the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated, Charlemagne Mayot writes the first lines of the family saga when he sets up a bakery in the Rue de la Mackellerie in Croix near Lille.
1908
His son Edmond-Charlemagne, who was himself born in 1889, and his wife Victorine take over the family business.
1935
Their daughter Suzanne marries Julien Holder. They open their own bakery in the Rue des Sarrazins in Lille.
1953
Julien and Suzanne Holder move to a patisserie in Lille owned by the Paul family. The name PAUL remains and Francis Holder, who has been engaged in the family business from a young age, turns it into a world-famous brand. This first PAUL bakery still exists today and preserves the traces of the successive generations.
1972
Francis Holder radically changes the family bakery: he installs a wood-fired oven that is visible to customers and reintroduces traditional recipes with slow fermentation and sourdough. This return to tradition immediately delights the customers of the very modern shopping centres that are springing up at the time. Today, wood-fired ovens are no longer common, but our bakeries are often glazed and visible to our customers in many PAULs.
1987
PAUL opens its first tea salons and restaurants to give customers the opportunity to enjoy the products on site. This restaurant business has even become PAUL’s main business in many countries in Asia and the Middle East.
1989
The first international franchise is opened in Japan. Our Japanese customers discover French-style bread and become fans of our croissants, palmiers and cannelés. The shops, strictly identical to those in Paris, enchant the clients. PAUL’s international adventure begins! From Washington to Madrid, from Dubai to Johannesburg, from Prague to Singapore, PAUL has opened shops in over 40 countries. And even today, the teams of the first branch in each new country are trained in France. Because beyond the recipes, we want them to immerse themselves in the French Art de Vivre!
1993
The outlets with black facades are introduced. These facades become a timeless trademark.
2000
Maxime Holder, one of Francis’ children, founds the very first PAUL in London. He immediately recognises the potential of takeaway coffee, which was still rare in France at the time. 20 years later, there are around 30 PAULs in London and our coffee is still among the most favourite products!
2008
PAUL is one of the first ten French companies to sign the PNNS 2 (Plan National Nutrition Santé 2). PAUL is committed to constantly improve the diversity and nutritional content of its range. The first measures are to select a flour with a higher fibre content for all our breads and to reduce the salt content. At the same time, PAUL works on eliminating palm oil, artificial colourings and numerous additives from all its recipes.
2019
PAUL celebrates 130 years of connection to its customers. Maxime Holder, who has been dedicated to international development for 10 years, becomes CEO of the PAUL Group.
2020
During the health crisis, PAUL decides to stay open wherever he can. This is made possible thanks to the commitment of its teams and the immediate introduction of protective measures. The initiatives multiply quickly: click and collect, delivery, support for hospital staff, donations to food banks and much more.
2025
PAUL opens its first branches in Austria. Whether in the playful atmosphere of the Hundertwasser House in Vienna, in the historic ambience of Salzburg’s Rathausplatz or as a quiet oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Vienna’s shopping centres – PAUL is always the right place for a little moment of indulgence.
