French Bakery in Nelson, BC Specializing in Organic Sourdough
La Ruelle Bakery is a small-batch bakery and café in Nelson, BC. We use fresh, seasonal ingredients to make simple, delicious food—handmade from scratch with care
Authentic & Locally Focused
French Canadian Bakery Hidden in Nelson’s Downtown Alley
La Ruelle Bakery is an authentic French Canadian bakery nestled in a charming back alley in downtown Nelson, BC — which is what “La Ruelle” means. We specialize in premium sourdough breads, handmade pastries, and fresh lunch-to-go options. Our unique open-concept bakery lets customers watch the bakers in action, creating a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.
Authentic & Locally Focused
Taste Artisan Sourdough Bread Crafted in Nelson, BC
At La Ruelle Bakery, we take pride in crafting authentic artisan sourdough bread in Nelson, BC. Using organic flours sourced from the Lower Mainland and seasonal, locally grown produce, our breads are made with care and traditional techniques. Each loaf boasts a crispy crust and a soft, flavourful interior—delighting customers with every bite.
Meet the Team at La Ruelle Bakery
Justine Gareau Loyer
Owner
Justine’s journey as a baker began 10 years ago at Au Soleil Levant, a French bakery known for its artisanal breads. She immediately fell in love with sourdough and the craft of bread making. Justine values good food, a healthy lifestyle, and strong community connections. As the mother of three energetic boys, she’s mastered creativity and problem-solving to balance family life with running La Ruelle Bakery. When she’s not baking, Justine enjoys exploring the outdoors—camping, hiking, and rock climbing with her family.
Julie Lamoureux
Head Baker
Julie has been passionately baking for over 15 years. If you know her, you know she loves food—and she especially loves sharing that passion with others. As La Ruelle’s proud Head Baker, Julie brings creativity and care to crafting our daily menu. When she’s not baking at the bakery, you’ll find her experimenting in her kitchen, discovering new favourite recipes and ingredients.
Nancy Guillemette
Baker
Nancy brings years of experience in the food industry, having worked in cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and catering. Passionate about all the possibilities food offers, she loves being part of La Ruelle’s team. When Nancy isn’t working, she enjoys foraging for nettle and other wild plants, cooking delicious meals for friends, and going for a run.
Authentically Made
At La Ruelle Bakery, our passion for baking goes far beyond the kitchen. We’re on a mission to bring people together through the joy of freshly baked, wholesome goods crafted with care. Every product is handmade with love, aiming to evoke comforting memories and the warmth of home. We see our customers as part of our community and strive to share that feeling with every bite.
About La RuelleLocally Focused
We use only organic flours and seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local farms to create high-quality sourdough breads and sustainable baked goods. Committed to supporting our community and the environment, La Ruelle prioritizes local sourcing to ensure freshness, quality, and sustainability. Here are some of the amazing local suppliers we work with:
Baked Fresh from the Oven
All our breads are made by hand, using organic flour and 25 year old sourdough!
La Miche Royal
$9.75
Baguette and Bâtard
$4.85
Le Petit Plat Focaccia
sm $5.75 | lg $7.75
Fougasse
$8.25
Daily Sandwich
$7.50 - $9.25
Fourre-tout
$8.75
Cookies
$3.00
La Framboisette Tart
$3.50
Smoked Salmon Sandwich
$9.25
Don't take our word for it
Here's What Our Customers Say:
This bakery is terrific! We bought a loaf of the whole wheat flax sourdough and it is delicious. Fabulous eating alone but with cheese is out of this world. We also sampled the orange ginger cookie, excellent, and the double chocolate chip cookie was tasty too. We didn’t try their sandwiches as we had just eaten lunch, but they look tremendous. It’s a little tricky to find this place (behind/next to Bank of Montreal) but well worth seeking out. I hope they are here for many many years!
Wow! This is a hidden gem that is worth a stop. Delicious French Bakery with fresh sourdough base to many of it's delights including pain au chocolate, brioche, and other tasty delectables. The coffee was high quality and fresh brewed, the atmosphere was vibrant but not over stimulating, and the owner was incredibly friendly and helpful. I loved the artisinal woodcrafts for sale and stylish decor as well the fresh flowers throughout the store. The effort to add class is obvious and the attention to detail was astonishing.
I'm completely addicted to this bakery. They constantly surprise with new sandwiches and fougasses. But the real stars are their sourdough brioches - as a brioche connoisseur, I can say these are the best I've ever tasted, perfectly balanced and not too sweet. The staff is cool and fun, adding to the great atmosphere. Whether you're a casual bread lover or a devoted enthusiast, this place is a must-visit. Trust me, you'll find yourself coming back again and again!
This incredible bakery in Nelson is tucked away down a back alley, but it’s well worth finding. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the irresistible scent of freshly baked bread.One time, I stopped by for fresh buns, and they just happened to have that dough out—without hesitation, they offered to make me a fresh batch on the spot, ready in an hour. That level of care and dedication is rare and truly sets this place apart.
Come Visit La Ruelle Bakery
Whether you’re craving fresh artisan sourdough, a warm pastry, or just a cozy place to relax, we’d love to welcome you to La Ruelle Bakery in Nelson, BC. Have a question or want to place a special order? Reach out anytime—we’re here to help.
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