The Best Boulangeries & Patisseries in Paris

There are over 30,000 boulangeries (bakeries) and patisseries (pastry shops) in Paris.  And trust me when I tell you, they are not all created equal.  Throughout my year in Paris, I searched high and low for the best breads and sweets, and have collected a list of boulangeries and patisseries worthy of a visit when you’re in Paris.  Below you’ll find my favorite options, as well as food and pastry tours I’d recommend when visiting Paris.

 

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The Best Boulangeries & Patisseries in Paris

Before reading further, I joined Devour Tours for the Paris pastry & chocolate tour, and absolutely loved it!  If you’re planning to visit Paris and have a sweet tooth, you don’t want to miss it!

 

What is a Boulangerie?

A boulangerie is a French bakery and by French law, to be called a boulangerie you must bake your bread on the premises.  All throughout France, you can hardly walk down a street without noticing a boulangerie – or two.  And every French village with a population of 1,000+ legally has to have a boulangerie.  You’ll also notice that boulangeries will oftentimes sell pastries.

Fun fact:  A baguette is not the ideal bread order in France.  Instead you want to order a “baguette tradition”.  (In a sentence you would say:  “Une baguette tradition, s’il vous plaît.  Which means, “one traditional baguette, please”).  A traditional baguette can only be made with four ingredients – yeast, water, wheat, and salt.  This means that there are no additives or preservatives making the bread taste better (think crunchy on the outside, and light and fluffy on the inside), but also meaning that it won’t last for much more than 24 hours.

 

What is a Patisserie?

Similar to a boulangerie, a patisserie is a French pastry shop and by law, to be a called a patisserie, the pastries have to be made on the premises.  While both boulangeries can sell pastries, and patisseries can sell breads, I would personally only buy a sweet treat from a patisserie as its a little bit more specialized.

Fun fact:  The croissant actually came from Vienna.  When it made its way to France, the French added butter making it much lighter, fluffier, and overall tastier.  A croissant is what’s known as a “viennoiserie” – French baked goods that are made similarly to bread, but have added ingredients making them richer and sweeter.

 

The Best Boulangeries in Paris

 

LA MAISON D’ISABELLE

Address:  47ter Bd Saint-Germaine; 5th arrondissement

Starting off strong, La Maison D’Isabelle in the 5th arrondissement won the best croissant in 2018, and it’s easy to see why!  The croissant is soft, flakey, and delicious.  If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and try one!  You won’t regret it.

 

LEARN HOW TO MAKE FRENCH CROISSANTS WITH A PASTRY CHEF!  BOOK HERE.

 

LE GRENIER A PAIN ABBESSES

Address:  38 Rue des Abbesses; 18th arrondissement

By far, the best baked good that I’ve ever had in Paris came from Le Grenier a Pain Abbesses.  I walked in on a rainy morning, took one look around, and settled on the salmon and cheese bread “thing”.  Every bite left me more and more satisfied and I was able to walk all around Paris feeling satisfied.

 

LE PETIT PARISIEN

Address:  Several locations throughout Paris

Le Petit Parisien is another great location to stop for croissants or baguettes as you continue on with your day.  It’s no fuss, priced fairly, and easy!  If you walk by, stop in and try it out!  I recommend getting the croissant.

 

MAISON LARDEUX

Address:  63 Rue Caulaincourt; 18th arrondissement

Maison Lardeux has many accolades, but one of their best is that they were voted for the third best baguette in 2021.  So if you’re looking to try a good baguette (or traditional), make sure to pop into Maison Lardeux in the 18th arrondissement!

 

LEARN HOW TO MAKE BAGUETTES!  BOOK HERE.

 

SAIN BOULANGERIE

Address:  2 locations in Paris

 

By the way, the 18th arrondissement is my favorite neighborhood in Paris!  Read why…

• How to Spend a Day in Montmartre – Paris’s Cutest Neighborhood

 

The Best Patisseries in Paris

 

ARNAUD LARHER

Address:  Several locations throughout Paris

Arnaud Larher won the coveted “meilleur ouvrierde de France” or the “best craftsman of France” award for his work in being a master chocolatier.  This award is a lifetime award and is extremely prestigious, allowing France to preserve the heritage of special “crafts”.  The competition is held every four years and each winner must pass on their craft and train someone of a younger generation to keep the craft alive.  So without needing to say it, Arnaud Larher is an incredibly good patisserie – one that should be visited when you visit Paris.

 

CEDRIC GROLET

Address:  Two locations in Paris

My boyfriend surprised me one day and took me to Cédric Grolet.  He had saw him on Instagram and wanted to see what the hype was about.  While the pastries here are very expensive and in high-demand (often meaning long lines), we couldn’t have been more satisfied.  We continue to go back to Cédric Grolet and love it each time.  (Pro tip:  Visit the Opéra location and takes your pastries to Harry’s New York Style Bar for cocktails and dessert!).

 

JEFFREY CAGNES

Address:  Two locations in Paris

Another patisserie that I was completely impressed with when visiting was Jeffrey Cagnes.  Not only did I find the best chocolate éclair I’ve ever had in my life, but I can’t wait to go back to try more of the incredible looking pastries.

 

LEARN HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS!  BOOK HERE.

 

LIBERTE

Address:  Several locations throughout Paris

Liberte is actually classified as a boulangerie and a patisserie – the best of both worlds!  I’ve been here a couple of times and each time I notice unique pastries that I haven’t seen elsewhere.  I will also say, that the flan at Liberty is exceptional – and I’m not one to rave about flan.

 

PLAQ CHOCOLAT

Address:  4 Rue du Nil; 2nd arrondissement

As an artisan chocolate manufacturer, selling chocolate to some of the best restaurants in Paris, PLAQ knows what’s up.  If you’re craving real, rich chocolate, don’t miss visiting PLAQ.

 

MASTER THE ART OF TECHNICAL CHOCOLATE MAKING!  BOOK HERE.

 

STOHRER

Address:  51 Rue Montorgueil; 2nd arrondissement

Stohrer is one of the most elegant patisseries that I’ve visited.  While it gets a lot of tourists for being the oldest patisserie in Paris since 1730; I still think that the patisseries offered are really good!

If you want to try macarons – a French specialty – skip the popular spots like Ladurée and Pierre Hermé and instead head to Stohrer.

 

LEARN HOW TO MAKE MACARONS!  BOOK HERE.

 

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Have you visited Paris before?  What’s your favorite boulangerie and patisserie?  I’m always looking to try new places!

 

If you’re visiting Paris and looking for food and drink recommendations, don’t miss…

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For more information on things to see and do in Paris, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reelby searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France 1″, “France 2”, & “France 3”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight

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