La Creperie Story
Who We Are Baked Into the Family: A Legacy of Crêpes and Croissants
1950s–1970s | Brittany, France
Where it All Began
Papi: Our beloved grandfather, Jean Lucas, was serving in World War II, he met an old baker who was willing to teach him his secrets. As he was serving in the resistance, he began baking large loaves of bread 3 times a week. In 1945 at the end of the war, he had two choices: join the army or become a French baker.
Jean returned home to his hometown of St. Pierre, Quiberon—the birthplace of crêpes and galettes- where he went on to open his own bakery and started a family of five children, each of whom began learning the craft as young as four years old. (A true family affair.) One of those five children was Jean Claude.
He grew up in Brittany and held his first job at just four years old: candy watch duty, keeping an eye on the sweets to make sure mischievous neighborhood kids didn’t sneak any. The family of seven lived in a small apartment above the bakery. Claude remembers waking up in the middle of the night to the sweet scent of baking butter wafting through the floorboards.
After finishing the apprenticeship with his dad, Claude decided to make a leap to the big city and the capital of the world of baking: Paris. Over the next 4 years, he furthered his knowledge working long hours in 5 different bakeries.
1980s–1990s | Key West, Florida
A Beloved Bakery in the Sun
After mastering his craft, Jean Claude fell in love and moved to Key West, Florida, to pursue the American dream. With very little money, he began baking out of a childhood friend’s kitchen and ran a Kouign Amann cart at the local boardwalk every sunset. His buttery treats quickly gained popularity with locals and seasonal tourists alike.
Before long, he saved up enough to buy a plot right on Duval Street and began building his dream bakery. On February 4, 1941, he opened Croissants de France in Key West. For 17 years, his café delighted the community with buttery croissants, warm smiles, and handmade pastries.
During this time, Claude met his future wife, Carole Lucas—a free-spirited French traveler who wandered into his shop while on the road. He offered her a job, and they quickly fell in love. Not long after, they started their family, welcoming two children into the world: Matilda and Enzo.
2009 | Fort Collins, Colorado
A New Beginning
After several years of living abroad, the Lucas family returned to the U.S. Claude and Carole brought their love of French cuisine to Fort Collins, where they launched La Crêperie in 2009. Everything was made fresh, from scratch—just as it had been for generations.
Their first location opened on the corner of Mountain & Mason as a cozy crêperie restaurant. The space was small, but they got creative and eventually opened what might’ve been the world’s smallest bakery— barely big enough for a baker, a barista, and a baguette.
As their popularity grew, seating became limited. In 2014, they made the move to Midtown to expand and offer more pastries than ever before.
Early 2010s | Family in the Kitchen
Matilda & Enzo Join the Tradition
At the ripe age of 14, Matilda and Enzo began helping behind the counter and in the kitchen. Their hands learned the craft, and their hearts grew connected to the family legacy—though both swore to their parents they would not carry it on.
Eventually, they moved to Montreal, QC, to pursue their bachelor’s degrees. But something was missing—they missed home, and they missed the independence and creativity of the family business. Enzo was the first to return, ready to seriously study baking under his father. This inspired Matilda to eventually follow in his footsteps.
2020s | New Energy, Same Heart
The Next Generation Leads
After college, Matilda and Enzo return full-time and both begin to find their roots in the business. Both Carole and Claude begin to step out and allow them to emerge with new ideas and improvements.
Today | Still a Family Affair
Jean Claude’s Legacy Lives On
Though retired, Jean Claude and Carole still lend their warmth on holidays and special events. Every crêpe, every pastry, and every guest are welcomed with the same care and love that started it all.
The Future
Looking Ahead
As we grow, we stay grounded in tradition. From buttery croissants to savory galettes, everything we serve reflects who we are—family, artisans, and your neighborhood French café.
📍 We can’t wait to welcome you in.