French croissants and pastries are true symbols of French gastronomy. A good croissant can be recognized by its delicate flakiness, crisp, golden exterior and light, airy texture. As for pastries, they must combine finesse, balanced flavors and technical mastery. But where can you find the best croissants and the most exquisite pastries in France? Here’s a selection of the best bakeries and patisseries to visit with your eyes shut.
🏆 Du Pain et des Idées – Paris (10e): artisanal excellence
Located in the Canal Saint-Martin district, this artisan bakery is a veritable institution. Created by Christophe Vasseur, a former executive turned baker, it perpetuates traditional know-how with exceptional products.
Du Pain et des Idées’ butter croissant is often considered one of the best in Paris. It’s golden, crisp and reveals an intense taste of PDO butter. The bakery is also famous for its escargots aux pralines or au chocolat pistache, a rolled pastry that melts gourmands’ hearts. Another must-try is Pain des Amis, a soft bread with a caramelized crust, perfect with a good cheese or a dish in sauce.
📍 Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Monday to Friday, 6.45am – 8pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 42 40 44 52
🥖 La Maison Pichard – Paris (15e): expertise in the service of taste
Maison Pichard is a favorite among pastry lovers. Its Charentes-Poitou PDO pure butter croissant has won several awards, and its puff pastry reveals a subtle taste, without excess fat.
In addition to the croissants, their chocolate éclair and red fruit tarts are true works of gustatory art. Each bite reveals a mastery of sugar and a lightness that makes them irresistible.
📍 Address: 88 Rue Cambronne, 75015 Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 7am – 8pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 45 33 82 62
🍫 Boulangerie Utopie – Paris (11e): innovative creations
If you’re looking for a bakery that’s off the beaten track, Utopie is for you. Here, bakers experiment with new flavors and textures while maintaining a solid artisanal base.
Their charcoal croissant intrigues and seduces lovers of novelties, while their cocoa and black sesame bread is a real taste experience. On the pastry side, don’t miss their chocolate tart, with its intense, melt-in-your-mouth taste.
📍 Address: 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 7am – 8pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 48 06 95 60
🥧 Maison Landemaine – Paris: elegance in simplicity
With several stores in Paris, Maison Landemaine has established itself as a safe bet. Their croissants regularly win awards for their airy texture and balanced taste.
Their lemon meringue tart, both tangy and melt-in-the-mouth, is a must for those who love refined pastries.
📍 Address: Several locations in Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Varies according to store
🏅 La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac – Paris: the alliance of luxury and gourmandise
Celebrity chef Cyril Lignac has won over sweet tooths with his exceptional pastries. Here, each product is conceived as a work of art.
His pain au chocolat is one of the most gourmet in Paris, while his praline tart is a pure marvel for lovers of hazelnut and caramel.
📍 Address: 24 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Daily, 7am – 7pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 43 72 74 88
🇫🇷 Au Levain du Marais – Paris: tradition above all else
If you’re looking for a bakery that perpetuates French savoir-faire without artifice, head for Au Levain du Marais. Their croissant is flaky to perfection, and their apple turnover is prepared with a richly flavored homemade compote.
📍 Address: 32 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris
⏰ O pening hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am – 8pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 48 87 21 35
🌍 Maison Hermé – Paris and International: elegance à la française
Pierre Hermé is a leading name in French patisserie. Nicknamed the “Picasso of macaroons”, he has also revisited the croissant with his famous Ispahan, with notes of rose, lychee and raspberry.
📍 Address: several boutiques in Paris and around the world
⏰ O pening hours: Varies by boutique
🎭 Stohrer – Paris: the history of French patisserie
Founded in 1730, Stohrer is one of the oldest pastry shops in Paris. Its croissant is a model of elegance and tradition, and its baba au rhum, invented right here, is a legend.
📍 Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
⏰ O pening times: Monday to Sunday, 7.30am – 8.30pm
📞 Telephone: +33 1 42 33 38 20
🏁 Conclusion: where to find the best croissant and patisserie?
Whether you’re a lover of classic viennoiseries or more modern creations, these bakeries and patisseries guarantee a unique experience. Paris is overflowing with gourmet treasures, but there’s no shortage of talent in the provinces.
So, which address will you try first? 😋 🥐🍰