Where To Find The Best Croissant In Paris

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Looking for the best croissant in Paris? I’ve been on a mission to taste croissants for quite a few months. And the months have turned into years of searching out the best croissant in Paris! It’s been a flaky and mouth-watering adventure, as you can imagine. Here are the best croissants in Paris.

What Makes The Best Croissant in Paris?

How do you know if you’ve hit the jackpot with a croissant? The best croissants are made fresh and on-site at the boulangerie. They are flaky, buttery and pulling on the croissant, the dough in the middle should pull.

Another telltale sign that you’ve found the best croissant in Paris, is you might 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 boulangerie. Parisians know.

Definitely not an exhaustive list and, I do apologize for any buttery flaky croissant experience that I have so far missed. I will find you!!

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.”

I love the plain croissant for breakfast. Buttery. Flaky on the outside. Maybe topped with a bit of jam. And sometimes, just sometimes, I dip it in my coffee like the French are known to do.

Tips For Ordering The Best Croissant in Paris

Always ask for a butter croissant, a “croissant au beurre.” Most boulangeries do not have an area to sit, therefore take your croissant(s) back to your Airbnb or to a bench in a park and … devour. Elegantly, of course.

Read More | If you love French patisseries like me, here are the top ten to try on your next visit to Paris.

1. The Best Croissant In Paris: 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 croissant around.

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.

You’re only a block from the Canal Saint-Martin. Find a spare bench and savour the exquisite 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 cash or serving coffee. I had a delightful conversation with him recently at the coffee window!

Read More | Where to go and what to see around Canal Saint-Martin, one of my favourite areas in Paris.

2. The Best Croissant In Paris: 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, crossed the street to the little park behind the church and had a bite. It was warm, flaky and mouth-watering, in one word. 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 croissant in Paris 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 Paris Croissant 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.

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, pastry chef for King Louis XV. 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 ru

e du Bac. Enjoy your best croissant at a table in Le Beau Passage courtyard and then stroll rue du Bac!

Read More | If you are in France in January you will see cakes wearing golden crowns appear in all the pâtisserie windows. What is this tradition? Here is what you need to know about the Galette des Rois.

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. Best Paris Croissant: 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. 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.

Cooking Class: Learn how to make choux pastry and êclairs Oh là, là! Or dive in and make macarons with a Parisian chef!

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 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.

Read More | Along with your best croissant in Paris, these tips on visiting Montmartre will make for a perfect day in Paris.

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.

Read More | Take this deluxe croissant in Paris and explore the 14th arrondissement. Here is the best guide to exploring this part of Paris.

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.

The 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.

Read More | In the window of Utopie is a sign stating that the chef is a former student from Ferrandi Cooking School. Read about how to dine at the Ferrandi Cooking School, the best in France.

You’re standing in the 11th arrondissement savouring this best croissant in Paris. Here are some wonderful things to do in the 11th arrondissement.

11. 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 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!

Until next time,

More Travel Info…

Gastronomy in Paris:

Now that you know where to find the best croissant 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.

DELICIOUS TIP: If you are here in January, don’t miss out on this very traditional pâtisserie that only makes an appearance once a year. Find out more here.

Exploring Paris and Beyond:

PARIS: Travelling to Paris alone? This article on navigating Paris alone is full of tips and tricks for the solo traveller. And this guide on the Paris arrondissements will help you plan the best trip ever!

This page has all my articles on Paris that will help you plan out your trip, including day trips from Paris. Did you subscribe to my newsletter to get my awesome 2-Days in Paris Itinerary?

If you love that village feel in Paris these areas might interest you:

Montmartre, much like Ile Saint- Louis, feels like a small village. This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places on the hill.

Le Marais is one of the oldest areas of Paris. Once marshland, it is hopping with boutiques, cafés, gorgeous old mansions and museums. Read my full guide to le Marais.

Canal Saint-Martin is great fun to explore. Here is what to do in this Bobo quartier.

These hidden gems of Paris will lead you to uncover some super secrets in Paris.

FRANCE: If you are going further afield in France, make sure to check out my page on France.

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

Author: Alison Browneis following a long-held dream and living in Paris. For the past 6 + years, she has pursued her passion for exploring the world as a solo traveller and housesitter. Her adventures have taken her to Central & South America, SE Asia and Europe. A former teacher, she now inspires women to push the boundaries of their comfort zone and step out into the wide world. Let's start calling those dreams a plan!

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