Paneo: the name already rings like that of a well-known and familiar brand, with a universal, fluid sound that’s easy to remember, adaptable internationally, and full of promise. ‘Paneo’ is the ambitious project, now a reality, of a French entrepreneur who fell in love with Valencia and decided to breathe new life into traditional French bakery and pastry culture with an innovative concept. It’s positioned as premium sweet and savoury space, available at any time of day, seven days a week, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

In short, Paneo is at once a pastry shop, a bakery, a tearoom, a restaurant, and a café where you can brunch, have lunch, enjoy a snack, dine, or simply grab a bite to eat whenever you feel like it.

The first Paneo has just opened its doors in Valencia: with 550 square metres, 300 of which are for customer space, and €900,000 in investment, Rachid Amlal is thinking big and long-term. He plans to open around fifty locations in Valencia, with two more already in preparation.

The flagship store is located in the brand-new Malilla district in the south of Valencia, right across from the massive La Fe hospital. It has already welcomed 2,500 people, who were invited for free to try the breads, dishes, sandwiches, quiches, and pastries. Four days of “gourmet pre-opening” gave guests a taste of what’s to come and allowed the young team to get comfortable with the new equipment and setup.

The team includes 32 people in total: 4 bakers, 4 chefs, and 4 pastry chefs—each a virtuoso of French know-how. In fact, the adventure wouldn’t be what it is without the expertise of the renowned Christian Georges and Pascal Cael, two highly decorated consultants and bread competition champions in France. They inspired Rachid Amlal and advised him on the menu, which features 20 different and original breads—you’ll be surprised by the paella-spice baguette or the orange peel brioche!

While most products are French, Spain is also in the spotlight with nods to its cuisine and a fine foods section for take-home items: turrón, olive oil, and other specialties will be available for sale. A catering service will also handle events like cocktails, weddings, and family celebrations.

A Committed Business

But Paneo is also a philosophy. Rachid Amlal emphasizes two values close to his heart:

1. A permanent 10% discount is offered to healthcare professionals, firefighters, police, and civil protection workers: “out of gratitude, even if symbolic, for these essential professions that are never valued enough.”
2. A strong commitment to fighting food waste: unsold goods are donated daily to local charities. Opportunistic? “Maybe. But I know what I owe to the healthcare world, and I believe in the value of sharing,” he says plainly.

Originally from Nancy, Rachid Amlal discovered Valencia five years ago during a simple week-long vacation. He never left. Along with his wife and their three children, they decided to settle there permanently. He continues to run his training business in France while refining the Paneo project. So, he’s not just selling bread, Paneo is much more than a gourmet brand. It’s an experience, a French art of living, a place of sharing and strong values, reimagined with Mediterranean flavours. A French success story…made in Spain.

Report by Laurence Lemoine ( More info about the writer: https://247valencia.com/interview-with-laurence-lemoine-valencia-expat-services/)

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

PANEO

C/ de Vicent Miguel Carceller (Periodista), 32, bajo 1, Quatre Carreres, 46026 Valencia

Hours: Monday 8:00h–23:00h

Tuesday 8:00h–23:00h

Wednesday 8:00h–23:00h

Thursday 8:00h–23:00h

Friday 8:00h–23:00h

Saturday 8:00h–23:00h

Sunday 8:00h–23:00h