If you happen to find yourself in the City of Lights during the Paris Olympics, why not consider checking out some of the best French bakeries it has to offer?
France has elevated baking to a fine art and earned a reputation for producing some of the world’s most beloved pastries, breads, and confections. The origins of French baking can be traced back to the Middle Ages when bakers began to refine techniques brought over by Roman soldiers. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Paris had established itself as the epicentre of gourmet baking, with iconic creations like the croissant and baguette becoming staples of French cuisine.
From the rustic loaves of Poilâne to the luxurious macarons of Ladurée, celebrate tradition, innovation, exquisite flavours and impeccable craftsmanship with our ultimate list of the best French bakeries in Paris.
Ritz Paris’s Le Comptoir
Why you must visit: Le Comptoir, the pastry shop of the exquisite Ritz Paris Hotel, is known as one of the best French bakeries in Paris. Pay homage to pastry chef François Perret’s creative talent. Linger on a leather banquette under the Bohemian crystal light fixtures. Because you’re in one of the best bakeries in Paris.
Must-try: Seven varieties of glazed madeleines, modernised croissants and “cake shakes”
Address: 38 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris
Opening hours: 8 am to 7 pm (closed on Sunday)
Reviews & ratings: 4.1 (1,518 Google reviews)
Visit Le Comptoir’s website for booking details. Follow Le Comptoir on Instagram.
Cédric Grolet Opéra
Why you must visit: Open your heart to the delicate art of pâtisserie at this elegant tearoom run by Cédric Grolet, a renowned pastry chef celebrated for his exquisite desserts crafted in the shape of flowers and trompe-l’œil fruits.
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Must-try: Croissants, pain au chocolat, and flower-shaped vanilla flan (tarts).
Address: 35 Avenue de l’Opera, 75002 Paris, France
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm (closed on Monday)
Reviews & ratings: 3.3 (5,534 Google reviews)
Visit Cédric Grolet Opéra’s website for booking details. Follow Cédric Grolet Opéra on Instagram.
Odette Paris
Why you must visit: Surrender to the ecstasy of choux (cream puffs), created by flavoured creme or custard encased in the soft dough and the frosting spread on the top. Soak up the views of Notre Dame de Paris in the retro tea room with a hot beverage or glass of wine.
Must-try: Cream puffs in vanilla, caramel, praline, coffee, chocolate, passion fruit, pistachio, lemon and raspberry flavours.
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Address: 77 Rue Galande, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours: 9 am to 7.40 pm
Reviews & ratings: 4.4 (1,209 Google reviews)
Visit Odette Paris’s website for booking details. Follow Odette Paris on Instagram.
Maison Arnaud Delmontel
Why you must visit: Delmontel is celebrated for its artisanal bread and loaves, decadent cakes, tarts, and traditional pastries with a modern twist. Face delightful dilemmas at the counters, brimming with freshly baked millefeuilles, creamy éclairs, indulgent Paris-Brest, luscious fraisiers, and vibrant framboise.
Must-try: Chocolate macaron, which won the Meilleur macaron 2023 d’Île-de-France.
Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: 7 am to 8:30 pm (closed on Tuesday)
Reviews & ratings: 3 (124 Tripadvisor reviews)
Visit Maison Arnaud Delmontel’s website for booking details. Follow Maison Arnaud Delmontel on Instagram.
Poilâne
Why you must visit: Founded in 1932 by Pierre Poilâne, bookmark one of the best French bakeries in Paris, renowned for its artisanal sourdough loaves. Relax in the rustic, warm, and inviting interiors as Salvador Dalí and Yves Saint Laurent did. Impressed much?
Must-try: The signature Poilâne sourdough miche, apple tarts, and buttery sablés (shortbread cookies).
Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, and 7 am to 3 pm on Saturday; (closed on Sunday)
Reviews & ratings: 4.0 (160 Tripadvisor reviews)
Visit Poilâne’s website for booking details. Follow Poilâne on Instagram.
Pierre Hermé
Why you must visit: The “Picasso of Pastry”, Pierre Hermé has taken French patisserie to the next level with his bold flavours and flawless craftsmanship. Find out why Julia Child and Alain Ducasse raved over his creations.
Must-try: The Ispahan macaron (rose, lychee, and raspberry), the Infiniment Vanille tart, and the Plénitude chocolate cake.
Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: 10 am to 1 pm, and 2 pm to 6 pm
Reviews & ratings: 4.5 (2,100 Tripadvisor reviews)
Visit Pierre Hermé’s website for booking details. Follow Pierre Hermé on Instagram.
Ladurée
Why you must visit: This Parisian icon, with its signature pastel green space, has been celebrated for its exquisite macarons and chic tea rooms since 1862. The Ladurée macaron, a delicate meringue-based confection filled with ganache, was invented in the 20th century and has since become synonymous with the brand.
Must-try: Macarons in heavenly flavours such as pistachio, rose, and salted caramel, as well as the delicate millefeuille and éclair.
Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: Until 8.30 pm on all days
Reviews & ratings: 4.00 (4,396 Tripadvisor reviews)
Visit Ladurée’s website for booking details. Follow Ladurée on Instagram.
Du Pain et des Idées
Why you must visit: Founded by baker Christophe Vasseur, Du Pain et des Idées has been praised by renowned chefs and food critics, including Anthony Bourdain. One of the best French bakeries in Paris, Du Pain et des Idées is famous for its traditional baking methods, which use natural fermentation and stone-ground flour.
Must-try: Pain des amis (a hearty, crusty loaf), escargot pastries with pistachio and chocolate flavours, and signature croissants.
Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris
Opening hours: 7:15 am to 7:30 pm (Monday to Friday)
Reviews & ratings: 4.4 (3,232 Google reviews)
Visit Du Pain et des Idées’s website for booking details. Follow Du Pain et des Idées on Instagram.
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Stohrer
Why you must visit: The oldest patisserie in Paris, founded by the pastry chef of King Louis XV, has been patronised by celebrities such as Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon, and Gordon Ramsay. History buffs adore its original 1860 façade and vintage displays inside.
Must-try: The bakery’s iconic invention, baba au rhum, is a cult dessert of French sweet heritage.
Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: 8 am – 8.30 pm
Reviews & ratings: 4.4 (3,236 Google reviews)
Visit Stohrer’s website for booking details. Follow Stohrer on Instagram.
A. Lacroix Pâtissier
Why you must visit: Parisians love this bakery run by pastry Chef Arnaud Lacroix, who began training for his CAP pastry diploma as a 14-year-old. The views of Notre Dame Cathedral are as divine as the selection of fresh pastries, snacks, and sweets.
Must-try: The “Notre Dame” apple pastry is the highlight, featuring a creamy mousse interior infused with cold-pressed organic apple juice.
Address: 11 Quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Reviews & ratings: 4.6 (1,441 Google reviews)
Visit A. Lacroix Pâtissier’s website for booking details. Follow A. Lacroix Pâtissier on Instagram.
Angelina
Why you must visit: Since 1903, this French institution has wooed the elite and celebrities in the league of Marcel Proust and Coco Chanel. Be seduced by the Belle Époque tearoom decor — think mouldings, gold plating, frescos, and medallions at one of the best French bakeries in Paris.
Must-try: The signature hot chocolate, the Mont Blanc pastry, and the decadent Angelina pastry, a delightful blend of cream, meringue, and chocolate.
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Address: Multiple locations
Opening hours: 8 am to 7 pm
Reviews & ratings: 4.3 (14,081 Google reviews)
Visit Angelina’s website for booking details. Follow Angelina on Instagram.
Boulangerie Utopie
Why you must visit: The artisans of this bakery have dedicated their lives to honour one of the most beloved symbols of Paris, bread. Drool over the displays of immaculate baguettes, loaves and rolls made with natural sourdough.
Must-try: l’Authentic (a large sliced bread), sesame éclair, apple tart, cheesecake and lemon tart.
Address: 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France
Opening hours: 7 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
Reviews & ratings: 4.5 (Over 3,100 Google reviews)
Visit Boulangerie Utopie’s website for booking details. Follow Boulangerie Utopie on Instagram.
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(Feature Image Credit: Elias Rovielo/Flickr )
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A French bakery's must-try items include croissants, baguettes, pain au chocolat, éclairs, macarons, and tarts.
French bakeries are known for their emphasis on quality, tradition, and artistry. They use premium ingredients and time-honoured techniques.
Some of the best bakeries in Paris for croissants are Du Pain et des Idées, Blé Sucré, and Pierre Hermé.
The best baguettes in Paris are at bakeries like Le Grenier à Pain, Au Levain du Marais, and Maison Landemaine.
Must-try pastries in Paris include the millefeuille, Mont Blanc, tarte Tatin, Paris-Brest, and Saint-Honoré.
Try La Pâtisserie des Rêves, Pain Pain, or Sébastien Gaudard for cosy interiors—all are known for their inviting atmospheres and delightful treats.
Bakeries in Paris typically open early in the morning, around 7 or 8 am, and close in the late afternoon or early evening.
Some of the best bakeries in Paris offering home delivery include Gontran Cherrier, Maison Pichard, and Maison Landemaine.
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