Paris is known as the city of love, light, and of course, delicious pastries. One of the most iconic French treats is the flaky, buttery croissant. From the famous boulangeries lining the streets to the hidden gems tucked away in neighborhoods, Paris offers a wide selection of croissants to satisfy any craving.
Have you ever wondered where to find the absolute best croissant in Paris? In this guide, explore the most heavenly croissants in Paris, figure out how much they cost, and learn about their fame.
Best Croissants in Paris – The Top Bakeries We Love
Du Pain et des Idees
In the middle of the 10th arrondissement, you’ll find Du Pain et des Idées, a special bakery in Paris. This bakery is famous for making the best croissants in france. They use really good ingredients like organic flour and fresh butter, and they let the dough sit for a whole day to make it taste great. When you walk in, you’ll find a cozy place with fantastic, flaky croissants that are just as good as any in the city.
What makes this bakery unique is how much they care about making things top-notch. They put a lot of effort into every croissant they make. They use the best ingredients, like organic flour and fresh butter, and they let the dough sit for a whole day to make it taste amazing. The result is a croissant that has a really delicious flavor.
But there’s more to try besides the regular croissants. They also make different flavors like pistachio, cardamom, and orange blossom water. Each one is a tasty surprise. Du Pain et des Idées invites you to a place where they mix old traditions with new ideas.
Croissants Price Range – €1.30-1.80.
Open Mon-Fri 6:30am-8pm, Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 7am-3pm.
Location – 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010.
Pierre Hermé
When you’re looking for the best croissant in Paris, Pierre Hermé is a must-try. This world-famous pastry chef puts incredible care into each of his creations. What makes Pierre Hermé’s croissants so special is the amazing flavors. While a traditional croissant has only butter, he does exciting twists like passion fruit chocolate or pistachio. Each one is like a delicious surprise.
The passion fruit chocolate croissant, one of his signature items, has a wonderful mix of fruitiness and rich chocolate. Every flaky bite is heaven. While pricier than a normal boulangerie, Pierre Hermé’s croissants offer an incredible experience and are considered among the best in Paris.
Croissants Price Range – €2.50-€3.80
Open Daily 8am-7pm
Location – 72 rue Bonaparte, 75006
Le Grenier à Pain
For a fantastic traditional French croissant, head to Le Grenier à Pain. This bakery focuses on time-honored methods to create exceptional viennoiseries. The owner Jean-Luc Poujauran is passionate about his craft and it shows. The croissants have a perfect amount of flaky layers and a delicious butteriness. They use high-quality organic ingredients to achieve a rich taste.
Le Grenier à Pain is also known for their amazing pain au chocolat. It’s considered one of the best in Paris. Every day there’s a line out the door for their croissants and other baked goods. While a bit out of the main tourist zones, it’s worth the trip for some of the most authentic croissants in the city.
Croissants Price Range – €1.10
Open Wed-Sun 7am-2pm
Location – 38 Rue des Abbesses, 75018
Des Gâteaux et du Pain
For a delightful neighborhood bakery with fantastic croissants, visit Des Gâteaux et du Pain. This small shop on Rue Bonaparte charms visitors with its beautiful cakes and pastries. But their croissants shine as some of the best in Paris. Made fresh every morning, they have perfect flaky layers and a lovely buttery aroma. Even better, they use organic flour and eggs from free-range chickens.
Their croissant aux amandes, with its hint of almond flavor, is a favorite. While there’s often a queue, it moves quickly, and the warm croissants are worth the short wait. Locals and tourists alike love starting their day with Des Gâteaux et du Pain’s mouth watering croissants.
Croissants Price Range – €1.30-€1.60
Open Daily 8:30am-7:30pm
Location – 89 Rue Bonaparte, 75006
Website – desgateauxetdupain.com
L’Atelier du Chocolat
For an incredibly decadent croissant experience, visit L’Atelier du Chocolat. This chocolate shop crafts their croissants with Valrhona chocolate baked right inside. The result is a perfect balance of flaky croissant and rich chocolate. Their signature is the dark chocolate croissant, which oozes with molten dark Valrhona. Foodies also love their praline croissant, made with homemade praline paste.
While expensive, L’Atelier du Chocolat’s chocolate croissants provide a luxurious treat that chocolate and pastry lovers dream about. It’s an only-in-Paris experience to savor. This one-of-a-kind chocolate shop is considered to have some of the most unique and delicious croissants in the city.
Croissants Price Range – €3.50-€4.50
Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
Location – 35 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009
Blé Sucré
For a delicious croissant in a charming setting, visit Blé Sucré in the 12th arrondissement. This small bakery and tea salon has a cozy vintage vibe. The star attraction is award-winning pastry chef Fabrice Le Bourdat’s croissants. They are made with high-quality organic ingredients and baked to perfection. Each one has ethereally flaky layers and a lovely hint of butter.
Blé Sucré’s croissants have been voted the best in Paris multiple times. Beyond the classic version, Fabrice gets creative with monthly special flavors like chestnut cream and fig-anise. Enjoy one of Paris’ best croissants in Blé Sucré’s adorable tea salon or take it to go. It’s a delightful local favorite.
Croissants Price Range – €1.30
Open Wed-Mon 7:30am-7:30pm
Location – 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012
Website – https://www.instagram.com/ble_sucre/
134 RDT
For a delightful neighborhood spot with amazing croissants, check out 134 RDT in the 17th arrondissement. This small bakery churns out some of the flakiest croissants in Paris. Made with high-quality French butter, they have the perfect amount of layers and a lovely golden brown exterior.
Beyond classic croissants, 134 RDT gets creative with monthly special flavors like pistachio and chestnut. They also make excellent pain au chocolat if you want something chocolatey. Run by two friends passionate about their craft, 134 RDT offers a cozy experience and croissants that rival the best in Paris. It’s a local favorite that’s worth seeking out.
Croissants Price Range – €1.20-€1.50
Open Tues-Sun 7am-2pm
Location – 134 Rue de Tocqueville, 75017
Gontran Cherrier
For delicious artisanal croissants in a charming setting, visit Gontran Cherrier. This small bakery in the 18th arrondissement has a passionate following for its exceptional viennoiserie. Gontran Cherrier’s croissants are made with organic butter, flour from Moulins Bourgeois, and a natural levain starter. They have a lovely caramelized exterior that cracks open to reveal flaky interior layers.
Beyond classic croissants, Gontran Cherrier does seasonal flavors like gingerbread, chestnut, and fig-anise. On weekends, locals line up for the bakery’s amazing breads and pastries too. The cozy vine-covered patio is an idyllic spot to enjoy their perfect croissants. For one of the best croissant experiences in Paris, Gontran Cherrier is a must-try.
Croissants Price Range – €1.10-€1.30
Open Tues-Sat 7:30am-8pm, Sun 7:30am-2pm
Location – 22 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018
La Parisienne
For gorgeous traditional Parisian viennoiserie, visit the bakery La Parisienne. Their croissants are made with high-quality butter, organic flour, and a natural leavening dough that takes 15 hours. The result is a perfect crescent shape with ethereally flaky layers. They have a lovely rich taste that competes with the best in the city.
Beyond classic croissants, La Parisienne makes exotic flavors like gingerbread, chestnut cream, and fig-orange. Their cozy bakery in the 7th arrondissement fills the street with the warm aroma of baked goods. It’s a lovely local spot to experience classic French croissants done exceptionally well.
Croissants Price Range – €1.30-€1.60
Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm
Location – 225 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75008
Philippe Conticini
For a luxurious croissant experience, visit pâtissier Philippe Conticini’s flagship store. His croissants are made with the finest ingredients like French butter from Lescure and flour from Moulins de Soulaines. They are baked to perfection with delicate flaky layers. The traditional croissant has a subtle sweetness that enhances the buttery notes.
Philippe Conticini gets creative too, with monthly flavors like orange blossom, chestnut cream, and fig-basil. While pricey, his croissants offer an incredible texture and depth of flavor that pastry fans dream of. It’s a special Parisian treat from an award-winning chef.
Croissants Price Range – €2.50-€4.50
Open Tues-Sat 10am-7pm
Location – 55 Rue de Paradis, 75010
Maison Landemaine
For some of the best organic croissants in Paris, visit Maison Landemaine. This eco-friendly bakery uses natural levain, organic flour, and French butter churned in a traditional way. Their croissants have a lovely caramelized flavor with a delicate interior. The organic ingredients make for an exceptional depth of taste.
Beyond classic croissants, Maison Landemaine has seasonal flavors like lemon-poppy seed and apple-calvados. Their four locations across Paris offer a rustic, cozy atmosphere to enjoy their amazing baked goods. Foodies seeking organic, high-quality croissants flock to this special bakery.
Croissants Price Range – €1.40-€1.60
Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm
Locations in the 6th, 15th, and 16th arrondissements
Dalloyau
With roots going back to 1849, Dalloyau is an iconic Parisian bakery. Their beautiful shop on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré displays stunning cakes and viennoiserie. Dalloyau’s croissants are made using traditional French methods that have been perfected over generations. They have a perfect balance of flaky layers and rich buttery flavor.
For over 150 years, Dalloyau has been baking exceptional croissants with premium ingredients. Visiting this historic bakery is a special Paris experience. Their elegant dining room is an ideal spot to savor one of their delicious croissants and imagine the Paris of the past.
Croissants Price Range – €2.50-€2.90
Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-7pm
Location – 69 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008
Website – dalloyau.fr
Jean-Paul Hévin
For an exquisite chocolatey twist on the croissant, visit Jean-Paul Hévin’s boutique. The renowned chocolatier crafts croissants with melted chocolate baked right inside. The dark chocolate version oozes with rich Valrhona chocolate. Every flaky bite also has hints of vanilla and almond.
Beyond the decadent chocolate croissant, Jean-Paul Hévin makes lovely versions with pistachio and matcha green tea. While pricier than most, these chocolate croissants offer an unforgettable experience for chocolate lovers. The balance of flaky croissant and smooth chocolate makes them some of the best in Paris.
Croissants Price Range – €3.50-€4.20
Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm
Location – 23 Rue Vignon, 75009
Boulangerie Utopie
For organic, artisanal croissants, visit the eco-friendly Boulangerie Utopie. All their breads and viennoiserie are made with natural levain, organic flours, and French butter. Their croissants are handcrafted and have a lovely caramelized exterior with a tender inside. The organic ingredients create exceptional flavor and nutrition.
Utopie keeps their croissants classic to let the high-quality elements shine. Foodies seeking organic, sustainable baking flock to this charming bakery. Their four locations around Paris offer a peaceful spot to enjoy exceptional croissants.
Croissants Price Range – €1.40-€1.60
Open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 7am-7:30pm, Sun 7am-3pm
Locations in the 5th, 6th, 12th and 16th arrondissements
Website – https://boulangerieutopie.com/
Fou de Pâtisserie
For whimsical, flavor-packed croissants, Fou de Pâtisserie adds exciting twists. Their signature is the strawberry cheesecake croissant, with fresh strawberries and a creamy cheesecake filling. Other options include speculoos spice, crème brûlée, and salted caramel.
While not a traditional French croissant, these fun flavors make for an indulgent experience. The flaky layers pair nicely with the creative fillings. Fou de Pâtisserie offers a nice change of pace from classic Parisian croissants. It’s a delight for foodies seeking something unique.
Croissants Price Range – €4-€5
Open Weds-Sun 10am-7pm
Location – 45 Rue Montorgueil, 75002
Website – https://www.foudepatisserieboutique.fr
Helmut Newcake
For an unexpected take on croissants, check out Helmut Newcake. Their signature is savory croissants with fillings like comté cheese and sundried tomato, sausage and Emmental, or chicken curry. There’s also a spinach and feta version for vegetarians.
While not traditional, these croissant sandwiches make for a perfect quick lunch. The flaky layers pair nicely with the hearty fillings. Located near Canal St. Martin, Helmut Newcake offers a nice change from the usual sweet Parisian croissants.
Croissants Price Range – €4.50-€5.50
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Location – 94 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
Website – helmutnewcake.com
The Origins and History of the Croissant
While croissants are now an iconic French pastry, they actually originated in Austria. The kipfel, as it was known, was a crescent-shaped baked good that gained popularity across Europe in the 17th century. The earliest known recorded mention of the kipfel dates back to a Viennese bakery in 1683.
The kipfel later inspired the development of France’s own version, Le croissant. It first appeared in the early 1900s. French bakers honored the Austrian kipfel but perfected it with their artistry into the croissant we know today. The croissant grew into a quintessential part of French baking traditions and café culture. By the mid 1900s, no Parisian breakfast was complete without a freshly baked croissant.
Today, the croissant remains an enduring symbol of French cuisine and culture. Its flaky layers and buttery aroma encapsulate the art of French baking. While other countries have adopted the croissant, Paris remains the undisputed capital for this beloved pastry.
Why Are Parisian Croissants So Special?
Parisian croissants achieve a perfect balance of crisp, flaky exterior and a rich buttery interior. Several factors set Paris croissants apart and make them the gold standard:
- High-quality ingredients – French butter, organic flour
- Artisan methods that take time – long fermentation, careful rolling and folding
- Generations of experience perfecting technique
- Pride in excellence and attention to detail
Parisian bakeries focus solely on viennoiserie like croissants. All their skill and care goes into these specialties. Contrast this to US bakeries which often split focus across cakes, breads, and pastries.
The culmination is a simple croissant made extraordinarily well. Each flaky layer offers a delicate crunch. The taste provides a subtle sweetness that brings out the butter’s richness. It’s an experience unmatched around the world.
Tips for Enjoying Parisian Croissants like a Local
Visit early – Parisians start their day early and bakeries run out. Go between 7-8am for the freshest croissants.
Pair it perfectly – Coffee or hot chocolate complement the croissant. Alternately, enjoy it as the French often do – on its own!
Mind your manners – Politely order at the counter, pay with exact change or small bills, say merci! Enjoy your croissant standing or at a small table.
Go for a walk – Croissants in hand, Parisians love to stroll and enjoy the morning. Why not walk along the Seine after picking up your croissant?
Discover new bakeries – Paris offers a seemingly endless supply of wonderful bakeries. Try a new spot daily to sample a wide range of incredible croissants.
Revel in the morning Parisian café culture with your perfect croissant in hand. It’s a blissful way to start your day.
FAQs related to Croissants in Paris
Q: Where can I find the best croissants in Paris?
A: Check out renowned bakeries like Du Pain et des Idées and Gontran Cherrier for exceptional, artisanal croissants. Don’t overlook local boulangeries either – explore different neighborhoods to discover amazing hidden gems.
Q: How much does a croissant cost in Paris?
A: Expect to pay 1-1.30€ per croissant at most bakeries. Luxury or upscale spots charge more, around 1.50-2€ each. Affordable options are 1-1.20€ at neighborhood boulangeries.
Q: What makes the French croissant different?
A: French croissants stand out for their layered dough achieved through a complex folding process. Traditional recipes also call for imported French butter, which gives the croissants their signature flaky texture and rich taste. The French treat croissant preparation as an art form, not just a food. Their intricate preparation methods are an art form honed over generations.
Q: When is the best time to eat a croissant in Paris?
A: For optimal freshness and flavor, mornings are the ideal time to indulge in a French croissant. Most bakeries in Paris produce their croissants early in the morning to be enjoyed throughout the day. However, the bakeries often sell out fast, sometimes by midday.
Q: What are some popular fillings for Parisian croissants?
A: Beyond the traditional plain croissants, Parisian bakeries offer a variety of filled croissants. Timeless favorites include chocolate, almond paste, and jam or fruit preserves. Bakeries also get creative with seasonal fillings like chestnut paste in the winter or fresh apricots in summer.
Q: Why are some croissants more expensive than others in Paris?
A: Several factors account for the varying prices of Parisian croissants. More expensive ones, from about 1.50-2€, typically come from luxury bakeries using high-end ingredients like French butter and artisanal methods. On the lower end, local neighborhood bakeries offer fresh, high-quality croissants for 1-1.20€, without the prestige name.
Q: Where can I find excellent but affordable croissants in Paris?
A: For delicious croissants without the high price tag, visit local neighborhood boulangeries in Paris. Unlike famous luxury bakeries, these corner bakeries churn out fresh croissants daily using traditional techniques, but without imported ingredients or fancy branding. A perfect example is how you can find amazing 1€ croissants on nearly every street corner.
Takeaway
Searching for the perfect croissant is a delicious way to explore Paris. Ask locals for their favorite bakeries and check out neighborhood spots. Part of the fun is making your own discoveries! Try croissants from famous places like Du Pain et des Idées and Blé Sucré.
Whether you prefer a classic recipe or creative twist, each croissant celebrates the city’s heritage. Savor the moments as you sample these treats. Let the taste of a delightful croissant unlock the true flavors of Paris for you. The city offers so many opportunities to find your perfect match!