Where To Find The Best Croissant In Paris

Looking for the best croissant in Paris?

I started on a mission to taste excellent croissants in Paris. This, of course, involved savouring one good croissant after another until I found the most perfect croissants. The months of taste-testing have turned into years of searching out the best croissant in Paris! It’s been a flaky and mouth-watering adventure.

What Makes The Best Croissant in Paris?

How do you know if you’ve found the best croissant in Paris? Great croissants in France are made fresh and on-site at the bakery. They are flaky, and buttery with a golden brown exterior and an airy interior. When a perfect croissant is pulled apart, the dough should stretch a little, showing all the delicate layers that went into creating it!

Another telltale sign that you’ve found the best croissant in Paris, is you will want to drop to your knees upon the first bite. It sounds dramatic but the gastronomic experience of a perfect croissant can have extreme effects.

When you are looking for the best croissant in Paris, always look for the lineup outside the local bakery. Parisians know.

Variations On The Classic Croissant

There are many variations on the classic croissant. Almond croissants, raspberry croissants or ones with a hint of pistachio are all worth sampling. I have even heard of a chocolate orange croissant.

France’s famous pastry, the “pain au chocolat,” a more rectangular-shaped croissant with chocolate filling is always a good idea. In the southwest of France, this much-loved pastry is called the “chocolatine” and in certain regions in the north, it is referred to as “petit pain au chocolat.” If you are looking for the best pain au chocolat in Paris, it is a sure bet that “the best croissant in Paris” bakeries also excel at making pain au chocolat!

I love a good quality croissant for breakfast. Have it plain. Add a bit of butter. Or a dab of jam. And sometimes, just sometimes, dip it in your coffee like the French are known to do.

3 Tips For Ordering The Best Croissant in Paris

1. Always ask for a butter croissant, a “croissant au beurre.” These croissants are made only with butter. Some croissants are made with a combination of butter and other fats, such as margarine.

2. Enter the local bakery and say, “Bonjour madame (or monsieur). Un croissant au beurre s’il vous plaît.” The employee will ask you if you would like anything else. You can answer, “Ça sera tout. Merci.”

Travel Tip for Paris: It is so important to start any exchange with a storekeeper with “Bonjour madame/ monsieur.” It is part of the French culture.

3. Most French bakeries do not have an area to sit, therefore take your perfect croissants back to your Airbnb or a bench in a park and … devour. Elegantly, of course.

Best Croissant in Paris: 13 Top Croissants To Taste

What better place to start on your croissant-tasting adventure than this list of the best croissants, in no particular order, in Paris? This list is always evolving as I’m still sampling and savouring the best buttery croissants in Paris. If I’ve missed you, I will find you!!

1. Du Pain Et Des Idées

34 rue Yves Toudic, 10th arrondissement

Closed: Saturday and Sunday

You could just visit this corner boulangerie, Du Pain et des Idées, for its photogenic appeal. The shop has been in existence since 1875 and Du Pain et des Idées opened its doors in 2002. Christophe Vasseur uses time-honoured traditions to create outstanding bread and pastries. The croissants are always delicious. My Parisian friend claims it is truly the best of all the Parisian croissants.

I can’t seem to ever leave the darling shop without an escargot pistache-chocolat (a snail of pistachio and chocolate). Join the lineup and get a take-out espresso along with a croissant.

There is a communal table in front of Du Pain et Des Idées for diving into your croissant. Or, wander a few minutes to Canal Saint-Martin and find a spare bench to savour this exquisite Paris croissant.

Pro Travel Tip: I am often found in line at Du Pain et des Idées. Be sure to try their Apple Tarts, they are literally the best I have tasted. Also, sometimes Christophe Vasseur is at the cashier or serving coffee. I had a delightful conversation with him recently at the coffee window!

2. La Maison d’Isabelle

47ter Boulevard Saint-Germain, 5th arrondissement

Closed: Monday

I headed to La Maison d’Isabelle as soon as I heard of their reputation. They did, after all, win the Best Croissant in Paris award in 2018. I ordered my croissant au beurre, crossed the street to the little park behind the church and had a bite. It was warm, flaky, and mouth-watering. It was simply DIVINE. La Maison d’ Isabelle still lives up to its reputation of having the best croissant in Paris. I bring visitors here often. This best Parisian croissant never disappoints.

3. La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac

133 rue de Sèvres, 6th arrondissement

Open: 7 days a week

Cyril Lignac, another famous French chef and the very popular TV chef, has 5 locations of La Pâtisserie in Paris. I have been several times to La Pâtisserie and found his croissants to be, well let’s just say, heavenly. The butter soaks through the paper bag, a good indication that this butter croissant is going to be beyond delicious. It’s a “drop to your knees” experience. Every time.

Best Croissant in Paris Tip: La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac has several locations. When living in the 11th arrondissement, I often walked directly to his pâtisserie at 24 rue Paul Bert for a morning croissant or pain au chocolat.

The Chocolaterie Cyril Lignac which is kiddy-corner to La Pâtisserie has an area for sitting. Order your croissants at the bakery and then enjoy them in the coffee shop. Or, go straight to the Chocolaterie as they carry croissants as well.

4. The Best Croissant In Paris: Pâtisserie Stohrer

51 rue Montorgueil, 2nd arrondissement

Open: 7 days a week

The plaque to the left of the shop reminds us that Stohrer is a historical site and the oldest pastry shop in Paris. Stohrer was founded in 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer, King Louis XV’s pastry chef. The interior of the pâtisserie is stunning along with its exquisite pastries. Nicolas Stohrer invented Rum Baba and also Puits d’Amour (the Well of Love). French pastry chef Jeffrey Cagnes creates heavenly pâtisseries and…one of the best croissants in Paris. Yes, get dramatic. You might drop to your knees…once again. (Apologies if your knees are getting sore.)

5. Thierry Marx Boulangerie Beaupassage

53 rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement

Open: 7 days a week

Chef Thierry Marx’s boulangerie in Le Beau Passage has a heavenly array of pâtisseries and bread, all of which are delicious. Well, at least the ones that I have tried. Keep your eye on the croissant. Another winner for its lightness, buttery flavour and flakiness. YUM. It’s hard to stop at one.

You’re right by rue du Bac. Enjoy your best Paris croissant at a table in Le Beau Passage courtyard and then stroll rue du Bac!

6. Best Paris Croissant: Mamiche

45 rue Condorcet, 9th arrondissement

Closed: Sunday and Monday

Oh là là. Join the line-up. The melt-in-your-mouth buttery and flaky croissant is indeed one of the best croissants in Paris. Once there, why not try a pain au chocolat as well? To die for.

7. Famous Croissant In Paris: Pain Pain

88 rue des Martyrs, 18th arrondissement

Closed: Monday

When I was staying in the 9th arrondissement, I would get up earlier than my sister and walk about 10 minutes directly to Pain Pain in Montmartre. These best croissants in Paris were that good. They became the non-negotiable way to start our day. Flaky, warm and … oh so good! Sébastian Mauvieux’s corner bakery with its fine bread and pâtisseries will be one you keep returning to. I never go to Montmartre without stopping by.

8. Le Grenier à Pain

38 Rue des Abbesses, 18th arrondissement

Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday

I kept coming across the name Le Grenier à Pain and decided one day while strolling along rue des Abbesses in Montmartre that it was time to savour their croissant. A mouth-watering wait in line beside artisanal bread and pâtisseries led to one of those divine croissant experiences. Flaky, airy and perfect.

9. La Grande Alésia

77 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 14th arrondissement

Open: 7 days a week

This boulangerie has a line-up. Always. Everyday. I was lucky enough to live nearby for a month and this boulangerie proved time and again to have high-quality delights. Dominque Saibron, a famed French patissier, opened this location in 2009. Although the ownership has changed the lineup of Parisians (you will hear no English around here) indicates that the quality has not. Tempted by the aromas that waft through the doorway, line up for this best croissant in Paris. Flaky, buttery and incredibly delicious. Day after day.

10. Boulangerie Utopie

20 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11th arrondissement

Closed: Monday

I had heard that Utopie was a hot spot of a boulangerie and when I arrived on a recent Saturday morning, the lineup said it all. At least 30 people stood in the line that flowed around the corner. Standing in line, the eye candy in the window resulted in my list of goodies getting longer and longer.

This Paris croissant was indeed flaky, buttery, and extremely delicious. Melt in your mouth delicious, in fact. It’s not hard to say that one of the best croissants in Paris can be found at Boulangerie Utopie.

11. The Ritz Le Comptoir Croissant Experience

Paris Ritz Le Comptoir, 36 rue Cambon, 75001, Paris

On a cold January morning, I decided to head to the Ritz Le Comptoir for a café crème and a galette des rois. After chatting to the famous pastry chef, François Perret, I remembered that he had lived for a while in the USA and had made several of his pastries in an “eat on the run” shape! Thus, the elongated shape of his croissant.

Is it a croissant if it’s not a crescent shape? I’ll cut François Perret some slack here! I couldn’t take my eyes off the tantalizing croissants. On the way out of the tea room, I ordered a rectangular croissant. Perret’s croissant is divine. It’s buttery, light and airy. What I loved the most was the crunch. The outer layer adds a crunch to every bite making this best croissant in Paris absolutely divine!

Insider Tip: If you love pâtisseries like me, the Ritz Le Comptoir is written up in my Best Pâtisseries in Paris article.

12. Jeffrey Cagnes

73 rue Montorgueil, 75002, Paris

What took me so long to discover Jeffrey Cagnes? Walk into one of his four Paris pastry shops and try to decide what your taste buds will enjoy the most! I was in his rue Montorgueil shop looking for a galette des rois. There were none left so I chose a croissant. The croissant was perfect. It is was immediately added to my “Best Croissant in Paris” list. I will return to Jeffrey Cagnes for more Paris croissants and to taste his amazing-looking pâtisseries! Wow.

13. The Best Croissant In Paris Experience

Sometimes the best croissant in Paris is also about the mood. Having a noisette at a café accompanied by a good croissant on a busy Paris street corner can feel like the most exquisite experience.

Let me know where you found your ultimate, best croissant in Paris!

FAQ About Croissants

1. Is it true there is an International Croissant Day?

Yes! January 30 is International Croissant Day or La Journée Mondiale du Croissant.

2. What does the word croissant mean?

The word croissant means “crescent” and therefore these French pastries are made in a crescent shape.

3. Where did French croissants originate?

The origin of croissants can be traced back to the 13th century in Vienna, Austria. The crescent-shaped pastry called “kipferl” inspired the French croissant. It was brought to France by the Austrian Princess Marie Antoinette in the 19th century when she married French King Louis XVI. Today the French croissant is airy and light while the “kipferl” is sweeter and denser.

4. Are there silent letters in the French word croissant?

When pronouncing the word croissant, the T at the end of the word is silent.

5. How do I order a croissant in France?

First of all, always order a “croissant au beurre” because it is sure to be made only with butter and not other fats. Enter the local bakery and say, “Bonjour madame (or monsieur). Un croissant s’il vous plaît.” The employee will ask you if you would like anything else. You can answer, “Ça sera tout. Merci.”

Travel Tip for Paris: It is so important to start any exchange with a storekeeper with “Bonjour madame/ monsieur.” It is part of the French culture.

Until next time,

More Travel Info…

Gastronomy in Paris:

Now that you know where to find the best croissants in Paris, here are some more food suggestions. Read about where to find the most delectable Pâtisseries in Paris. Have you tried all these classic pâtisseries, like the Paris Brest?

Here are the best tips about French baguettes and how to eat them like the French!

Are you a cheese lover? Have you tried these French cheeses? And here are seven of the best fromageries in Paris to find that perfect cheese, and have that, oh so fun, experience of standing amongst oodles of cheese.

There are also plenty of café suggestions for the Marais area in this post: Tips from a Local. Suggestions for restaurants in the Marais is a popular post along with the best places to eat in Canal Saint-Martin.

Looking for vegetarian and vegan restaurants and cafés in Paris. Here are 10 best vegetarian and vegan restaurants to try!

If you are in Paris and gluten-free, luckily it is much easier to satisfy the taste buds than it was years ago. Here is my go-to on gluten-free delights.

Like This Post? I Mean, Who Wouldn’t… It’s About The Best Croissant in Paris!

Author: Alison BrowneCreator and Founder of Dreamer at Heart Alison, a Francophile from a young age, is following a long-held dream and has been living in Paris since 2020. Her passion for uncovering Paris and discovering the regions of France has resulted in an expertise about France that she loves to share in her articles. Also a solo traveller, Alison shares her experiences of solo travel to many corners of the world. Alison helps over 65000 readers a month plan their trips.

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