Our Story
Meet Heather & Mathieu
Founded by husband and wife team Heather and Mathieu Jourdan-Gassin, Saint Germain French Cafe & Bakery opened in Old Fourth Ward’s historic Ponce City Market in 2016. Both Southerners at heart - Mathieu from the French Riviera and Heather from Decatur, GA - this duo shares a passion for bringing a little slice of Paris (with a dash of Southern hospitality!) to Atlanta.
No stranger to the Atlanta restaurant community, Mathieu partnered to open Anis Cafe & Bistro in Buckhead in 1996. He later launched Pastis Restaurant in Roswell, kicking off the iconic Canton Street restaurant scene. In addition to his passion for French pastries, Mathieu works with one of Atlanta’s most beloved restaurant groups, Fifth Group Restaurants, as the General Manager at Bold Catering & Design.
After graduating from Georgia State University’s hospitality program and Portfolio Center, Heather took her talents and passion directly to the source of French gastronomy and culture. She worked in some of Atlanta’s top restaurants including Anis, Joel’s, and Bistango before partnering to open Cabane in the French Riviera - a chic and unique design concept store showcasing Europe’s young designers and French flair rarities.
Mathieu and Heather’s love of food has taken them around the world from Paris to Tuscany, Costa Rica to Umbria, London to Mexico City, and ultimately to the French Riviera for 15 years.
After years of unforgettable meals and memories throughout Europe, this French-American family, together with daughter Chloé, returned to Atlanta in 2015 to launch their first shared venture, Saint Germain French Café and Bakery.