The Best Croissants in Paris: Where to Find Flaky Perfection

Five must-visit bakeries, plus insider tips for a sweet Paris escape.

You can’t separate Paris from croissants, it would be like New York without pizza. But what makes this obsession more than a tourist cliché is the city’s relentless pursuit of perfection, treated almost like a sacred art.

The croissant pur beurre (all-butter croissant) isn’t just breakfast; it’s a benchmark. To meet official French baking standards, it must be handmade using artisanal techniques and the best Charentes-Poitou AOC butter. Competitions judge everything from sheen to shape, flavor to flake, down to that elusive melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Here are five Paris bakeries that nail it, each in their own way, plus a few more worth the detour, and where I’d check in to turn this into the ultimate pastry-fueled getaway.

La Maison d’Isabelle: Best for classic, award-winning croissants

In the 5th arrondissement, La Maison d’Isabelle is the definition of “classic done right.” Their all-butter croissant, which won first place in Paris in 2018, is made with Pamplie butter and organic Gruau flour, baked in a wood-fired oven that gives the perfect crisp-meets-tender texture. The pain au chocolat is equally irresistible.

Insider tip: Swing by mid-morning when the trays are coming out hot. Afterwards, wander over to the Panthéon or grab a café crème on Rue Mouffetard.

Cédric Grolet: Best for Instagrammable croissants

Executive pastry chef at Le Meurice and social media phenomenon, Cédric Grolet makes pastries that are as jaw-dropping as they are delicious. His flagship boutique near the Opéra is pilgrimage-worthy, from flawless croissants to fruit tarts that look like sculpture. They’re not cheap, but they are unforgettable.

Insider tip: Skip the queue by booking a table upstairs for a more relaxed experience, or pre-order via Click & Collect.

Philippe Conticini: Best for XL, show-stopping croissants

Philippe Conticini doesn’t do small. His Croissant XXL weighs in at a whopping four kilograms, flaky, buttery, and completely over the top. Beyond the spectacle, his Gâteaux d’Émotions and creative hybrids like the “Crioches” (croissant + brioche) showcase his knack for surprising flavors.

Insider tip: Visit early for peak freshness. The Croissant XXL requires a pre-order, and it sells out fast.

Boulangerie Utopie: Best for sourdough & artisan twists

Hidden in the 11th, Utopie has had Parisians queueing for years. Their sourdough croissant adds a tangy edge to the buttery layers, while their black-charcoal baguette (“L’Authentic”) won Paris’s best in 2024. On weekends, they turn playful with one-off pastries, think strawberry-filled madeleine croissants.

Insider tip: Check their Instagram before visiting to see what’s new. Anything with their signature house praline is a must.

Du Pain et des Idées: Best for stunning interiors

Near Canal Saint-Martin, this bakery is as much about atmosphere as flavor. Its 19th-century glass ceiling and ornate façade make stepping inside feel like time travel. The pain des amis has a cult following, and their spiraled “escargots” (with pistachio, praline, or chocolate) are dangerously addictive.

Insider tip: They’re closed weekends, so aim for a weekday visit. Afterward, grab a coffee nearby and linger along the canal.

Honorable Mentions

Narrowing Paris down to just five bakeries feels unfair, here are a few more I love:

• Leonie Bakery (six locations): Fresh spins on classics like almond croissants and seasonal tarts. The 12th arrondissement outpost is huge, with two floors and a terrace.

• The French Bastards: A cult favorite for sourdough croissants, rustic breads, and the chocolate cruffin.

• Mamiche: Trendy and lively, drawing locals and celebs with seasonal pastries and a buzzy vibe.

• Pierre Hermé: A household name, his Ispahan macaron may be iconic, but don’t skip the croissants.

• Chez Meunier: Old-school, no-frills, just perfectly buttery croissants and baguettes.

Where to Stay

And because no pastry tour is complete without the right hotel match, I always pair my clients with stays that come with VIP perks (breakfast included, naturally), that make Paris feel even sweeter.

✨ Paris’s pastry scene is always evolving, bakeries come and go, trends shift, and new favorites rise. Which is exactly why planning your trip with me means every detail (and every croissant) will be perfectly timed. Ready to plan your pastry-fueled Paris escape?✨

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