At 28, Ludovic Mary, a passionate baker since childhood, opened his second “boulangerie d’Adell” in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas alongside his wife, Ophélie. Building on the success of his first establishment in Saint-Christol-lez-Alès, he aims to once again attract lovers of good bread and pastries with his artisanal know-how and his concern for quality.
Originally from the area between Nîmes and Alès, Ludovic Mary has cultivated her passion for baking since the age of seven. This young prodigy, driven by a clear and ambitious dream, set a goal for himself at the age of fifteen: to open his own bakery before he turned 25. After obtaining a baker’s CAP and a professional certificate, he refined his skills in renowned bakeries in Uzès and Lyon. Then joining his partner Ophélie, a school nurse in Nice, Ludovic is led to participate in the creation of a Nice bakery. This formative experience strengthens his childhood ambition and makes his goal all the more achievable.
The great success of 100% homemade crafts
In February 2020, back in the region, the couple came across a golden opportunity: a bakery was up for grabs in Saint-Christol-lez-Alès. Without further ado, they decided to give it a try. After just two months of intensive work and despite the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, they managed to open their first bakery in Adell, in November 2020, slightly ahead of the deadline that Ludovic had set for himself to realize his dream of opening one before he turned 25. The success was immediate. To support him in this adventure, Ophélie left her previous life behind and joined him in his dream.
Homemade “mojito babas”, a regular treat to discover at the bakery • Photo DR
Together, in an intimate setting, they offer a wide range of artisanal products: long-fermented sourdough bread, 90% made by hand, and high-quality pastries. Flour, from Mende and Aveyron, and bread crumbs, imported from Madagascar, constitute the key ingredients of their offering. All products are made on site, a requirement which allowed them to obtain the “Boulangerie de France” label and gain valuable credibility, despite their youth – the couple being only 24 at the time.
Conquering Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas
Adell’s bakery in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas has been open since June 5. • Photo DR
Buoyed by the success of his first bakery, Ludovic, eager for new challenges and driven by boundless ambition, decided to open a second address in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas, in the same style. “I felt it was time to take the plunge and think bigger”, he confides. Located in an artisanal and commercial area, Chemin de Caragon, this new bakery in Adell, much larger, offers a large welcoming space, with multiple tables, free and efficient access to wifi, thus attracting a varied clientele but in especially local assets. In addition to its classic bakery products, it offers a wide range of lunch meals including salads, sandwiches, poke bowls, burgers and wraps, as well as a breakfast offer with discounts.
The generous space of the new Adell bakery is characterized by a modern and refined design. • Photo DR
The young baker makes sure to offer each customer the opportunity to choose freely while benefiting from attractive prices. His requirement is reflected in each product he makes. “It’s 100% homemade”, he assures, taking charge, alone in the kitchen, of all the artisanal preparation, from pralines to fruit purees and jams. In the space of four years, Ludovic and Ophélie transformed their dream into a concrete and prosperous reality. Adell’s new bakery in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas promises to be a continuation of this success, to the delight of lovers of good bakeries.
PRACTICAL
Adell’s bakery is located at 7 chemin de Caragon, next to Carglass, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas. It is open Monday to Saturday, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., without interruption.
