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The Best Croissant in Paris

paris boulangerie best croissant

For years, I have been hunting for the best croissant in Paris, initially starting in a blog post titled “The Paris Agenda.” It took a lot of research, and I tried many more croissants than I imagined I ever would. This is my opinion, so your favorite croissant may not have made my list, but feel free to comment below and share.

While working on my “research” of taste-testing croissants, I wanted to develop specific criteria. I prefer my croissant buttery, flakey, and not too dry. Flakes should land on your lap or table when you are enjoying the perfect croissant in Paris. You can order your croissant at a boulangerie like your baguette, either bien cuite (well cooked) or pas trop cuite (not too cooked).

I asked a few of my Parisian friends for their favorite croissants in Paris. While I did get the insider tips, they asked me not to tell! Not everyone shares their favorite boulangerie. It is something that is held sacred.

The Best Croissant in Paris

Here are a few pointers when seeking out a good croissant in Paris.

1. Make sure you order a croissant au beurre. The other option is croissant ordinaire. You will be able to tell a difference just by looking. The big difference is in the taste. A croissant ordinaire is made with margarine. Notice the shape between the two different croissants.

The best croissant in Paris
croissant tips on what to look for at a boulangerie

2. Time of Day. Be mindful when you are ordering your croissant at the Boulangerie. I have had lousy luck at 6 am and much better luck around 9 am for a warm, fresh one right out of the oven. It makes all the difference! You can also try around 4 pm during the children’s goûter hour. If you order a croissant around 11/12, they will most likely be more dry from sitting out for a few hours.

 

Boulangerie Utopie : 20 Rue Jean – Pierre Timbaud

Boulangerie Utopie best croissant in paris

I originally came here for the carbon baguette on the recommendation of my friend Jane from La Cuisine Paris. Initially, I ordered a few croissants, not even thinking they would be added to the list. After one bite, I knew they were the real deal and had to be added to the list! It is located in the 11th arrondissement close to République, or you can take the Oberkampf metro.  Try the carbon baguette and the croissant if you are there. They have so many great options for breads and pastries. You can see this great post on the boulangerie here. 

boulangerie utopie paris france

Mamiche 32 Rue du Château d’Eau

Where to find the best croissant in paris

This boulangerie is a bit out of the way from central Paris if you are visiting for your first time. If you want something off the beaten path, I highly recommend discovering Mamiche. Aside from their incredible croissants, they offer sandwiches, breads, cinnamon rolls, and Babka.

mamiche Paris boulangerie best croissants
best croissants mamiche Paris

Where to Find The Best Croissants in Paris

You can turn your visit into a croissant crawl with Du Pain et Des Idées just around the corner and Buddy Buddy for a great coffee.

best croissant in Paris

 

the best croissant in Paris

Blé Sucré – 7 Rue Antoine Vallon

My first visit to Blé Sucré was over five years ago. I happened to be in the neighborhood on my most recent visit and was able to pop in for a pain au chocolate and a croissant. They held up to the test years later.

blé sucré croissants in Paris
the best croissant in paris

I have heard about Blé Sucré for a while but never made it there until this trip. It is very close to the Aligre market so you can stop here before or after. The dough is sweeter than most croissants in Paris, but this makes it unique. I would love to try one warm, which I have yet to do. They sell out very early on a Saturday and had no plans to make more, so keep this in mind when scheduling your visit. A week day may be a better time to try this boulangerie.

the best croissant in paris

Du Pain et des Idées – 34 Rue Yves Toudic

the best croissant in paris

This is a must-visit! Du Pain et Des Idées are known for their escargot croissants, which have various flavors such as pistache chocolat, praliné, and fruit rouge. Over the month, I tried a few different croissants. They were all delicious and very flakey. Sit outside and enjoy the croissants on the bench or take them to go. The bakery just started serving coffee, but you can also pop by Holy Belly for takeaway. Recently, Du Pain et Des Idées now has a walkup window on the side. You will find long lines here as it is now written up in a lot of guide books and blogs.

du pain et des idées Paris boulangerie for croissants
du pain et des idées Paris

Please Note: They are closed on the weekend, so plan accordingly.

the best croissant in paris how to order a croissant in Paris

Maison Landemaine 28 Beaumarchais

the best croissant in paris

I have talked about this boulangerie a lot over the years. I stumbled upon it on my walk back in 2013, and the lines were out the door, so I had to try it. I have been going ever since. I believe the ownership has changed over the years, but I haven’t noticed a change in the quality of items. I love their torsadee baguette. The brioche with pralines is divine along with the croissants.

Paris boulangerie with fresh croissants

This is a boulangerie I always brings friends and family to when we are in Paris. It’s close to Place des Vosges and a great stop before or after the Bastille Market.

Honorable Mention

I discovered my favorite pain au chocolat in 2012 when I was in Montmartre. Le Grenier à Pain, 38 Rue Des Abbesses (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). I still pop in when I am in the neighborhood, and it still holds up. I think they are more on the bien cuite side with their baking, you will see this with their baguettes too.

the best croissant in paris

Try a Cooking Class in Paris

Try a cooking class at La Cuisine Paris and make your own croissants! I did this and had so much fun. There is a lot of work that goes into making croissants. What better place to learn than Paris.

You can purchase The Paris Guide for a complete guide to Paris with the top things to do and hidden gems. I also share some excellent boutique hotel options that are my favorite places to stay in Paris.

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  1. Have you been to the Poilane Boulangerie? Do they make croissants? I read the book, they mostly talked about bread. I would love to go there, I would also love to know what you think about it.

  2. The worst croissant I ever had in Paris was great. The only pastry that comes close are the beignets at Cafe du Monde in the New Orleans French Quarter. I wonder if Careme ever made a croissant?

  3. I gained weight just reading this beautifully presented post. Thank you! We plan to visit several of these places during our holiday visit to Paris this year!

  4. I just found your blog and needless to say I am obsessed! I’ve been to all the shops except Maison Landemaine, so I’m excited to try that one next time in the city.

    • Thank you so much, Lindsey! You must visit Maison Landemaine, they have a few around the city now but I have always gone to 34 Beaumarchais out of tradition and walked to Place des Vosges.

  5. Du Pain & des Idées was both a hit and a miss for me. The escargot pistache et chocolat was huge and to die for, if a bit pricey. But the croissant was meh…I’ve had far superior croissants from lots of places, and again, it was pricier than most.

    Blé Sucré’s croissants are divine. They’re huge, sweet and buttery, with excellent flakiness. Just wonderful.
    Another great croissant can be found at L’Essential on rue Mouffetard. Right up there with Blé Sucré as a must for croissant lovers.

    • oh thank you Sherry! I will have to add L’Essential to my list next time I am that way. I love some good croissant competition for blé sucré.

      I am sorry to hear that du pain des idées was a hit and miss. I actually tasted all of their escargot in one sitting. Some are better than others and you have to catch them on the right day!

      Thank you for sharing with me! xo

  6. Maison Landemaine has blossomed well since he started in 2007. There are 11 locations to choose from in Paris. And yes, they turn out a great Croissant.

      • Landemaine would be up there if I’d have a list.
        There is one bakery (name escapes me) near Republique I have to revisit and see if their Croissants are as amazing as their Brioche.

        • oh! I would love the name if you remember. I had the brioche with praline from Landemaine this round too. It was so good!