Paris is more than just a city of lights — it’s a city of aromas. The scent of freshly baked baguettes and butter-laden croissants drifts through its cobbled streets from sunrise to late afternoon. Here, bakeries aren’t just shops; they’re temples of tradition, artistry, and passion. From historic patisseries that once served royalty to new-wave bakeries redefining health-conscious indulgence, every corner of Paris tells a story through its bread and pastries.
This guide dives deep into the best bakeries in Paris, exploring not only what they make, but why they matter — the history, people, textures, and tastes that define the Parisian baking experience.
🏛️ Stohrer (2nd Arrondissement – Montorgueil)
Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002
Founded: 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer, pastry chef to King Louis XV.
As the oldest patisserie in Paris, Stohrer embodies the heritage of French pastry-making. Its decor is a visual feast — gilded mirrors, ornate ceilings, and soft golden lighting that recalls the opulence of Versailles. Here, the rum baba was born, a small cake soaked in rum syrup and filled with cream that changed the course of dessert history.
Beyond the baba, Stohrer’s counters display an endless array of classics — éclairs, religieuses, mille-feuilles, and tarte chiboust, all executed with the kind of precision that only centuries of mastery can perfect. Every creation feels like a bridge between art and memory.
- ✨ Style: Opulent, regal, timeless
- 🍰 Specialties: Rum baba, chiboust tart, religieuse, vol-au-vent
- 💶 Price Range: High-end
- ☕ Seating: Takeaway only
- 💡 Insider Tip: Arrive early to see the pastry chefs at work through the back windows, crafting history before your eyes.
🍞 Poilâne (6th Arrondissement – Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés)
Address: 8 Rue du Cherche‑Midi, 75006
Founded: 1932
Few bakeries have achieved mythical status like Poilâne. Its massive sourdough miche — known as Miche Poilâne — is baked in wood‑fired ovens fueled by oak logs, each loaf scored with the bakery’s famous “P.” The crust is robust, the crumb moist and tangy, and its aroma instantly recognizable.
Each loaf tells a story of patience and perfection. The family legacy continues under Apollonia Poilâne, the founder’s granddaughter, who upholds the brand’s dedication to slow fermentation and natural ingredients. Visitors also love the Punitions, buttery shortbread biscuits offered as small acts of kindness — hence the ironic name, “punishments.”
- 🪵 Style: Rustic, humble, authentic
- 🥖 Specialties: Miche Poilâne, walnut loaf, olive bread, Punitions cookies
- 💰 Price Range: Upper mid‑range
- 🪑 Seating: Adjacent café “Le Petit Poilâne”
- ❤️ Why Go: To experience the soulful simplicity that shaped the world’s love for sourdough.
🌀 Du Pain et des Idées (10th Arrondissement – Canal Saint‑Martin)
Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010
Chef: Christophe Vasseur, Gault & Millau’s Best Baker in Paris, 2008.
This iconic bakery draws queues every morning, and for good reason. Du Pain et des Idées translates to “Bread and Ideas,” and every creation is both a culinary and artistic statement. The signature “escargots” — spiral pastries with flavors like pistachio-chocolate and praline — are showstoppers. Meanwhile, the Pain des Amis, with its caramelized crust and nutty aroma, captures the essence of rustic French baking.
Housed in a beautifully preserved 19th‑century bakery, the space itself is cinematic: vintage tiles, mirrored ceilings, and sunlight streaming through glass panes. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit.
- 🕰️ Style: Historic charm meets artisan craft
- 🌀 Specialties: Escargot pastries, Pain des Amis, apple chausson
- 💸 Price Range: Moderate
- 🚶♂️ Seating: None — enjoy your pastry by the canal nearby
- ⏰ Pro Tip: Closed on weekends; visit early on weekdays before everything sells out.
🌾 Sain (10th & 3rd Arrondissements)
Addresses: 13 Rue Alibert, 75010 & 23 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003
Founded: 2018 by Anthony Courteille
At Sain, bread isn’t just food — it’s nutrition, craftsmanship, and philosophy. The name itself, meaning “healthy,” hints at the bakery’s mission. All flours are organic, stone‑ground, and sourced from small farms, and every loaf ferments for hours to develop complexity without additives.
Their Saint‑Martin loaf has a nutty depth and chewy texture, while the whole‑grain croissant is flaky yet rich in earthy flavor. The Paris‑Brest, made with nut butter instead of sugar-heavy praline, is indulgence redefined.
- 🌱 Style: Modern, mindful, and minimalist
- 🥐 Specialties: Saint‑Martin loaf, honey‑croissant, Paris‑Brest
- 💶 Price Range: Moderate to premium
- 🛍️ Seating: Takeaway only
- 🍯 Why Go: To taste health and flavor in perfect balance — proof that “clean” can still mean “delicious.”
🍡 Petite Île (3rd Arrondissement – Filles du Calvaire)
Address: 8 Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 75003
Founded: 2021 by Wang Chih‑ya & Chuang Po‑hsuan
Petite Île is where East meets West in pastry perfection. Its founders bring Taiwanese finesse to French technique, creating some of the most photogenic pastries in the city. Expect black sesame chocolate croissants, matcha‑filled brioches, and honey milk bread so soft it feels like a cloud.
Each creation here balances sweetness with subtlety — a reflection of the chefs’ roots in Asian pastry artistry. The shop’s minimalist design, soft music, and scent of toasted sesame make it a sensory experience.
- 🪷 Style: Sleek, tranquil, and contemporary
- 🍵 Specialties: Black sesame croissant, matcha danish, honey milk bread
- 💰 Price Range: Moderate
- 🚫 Seating: None
- 🌸 Why Go: For pastries that combine precision, beauty, and global creativity.
🍯 Pane Vivo (20th Arrondissement – Gambetta)
Address: 49 Rue de la Chine, 75020
Founded: 2020 by Adriano Farano
Pane Vivo is for bread lovers who care about where their ingredients come from. Using ancient Sicilian wheat and a 138‑year‑old sourdough starter, the bakery’s flagship “Sapiens” loaf is dense, aromatic, and packed with nutrients. No refined flour, no shortcuts — only pure, slow fermentation.
The bakery also produces olive oil brioches and fig‑infused loaves that showcase Mediterranean influences. Each bite feels honest and alive, embodying the meaning of its name: “living bread.”
- 🌿 Style: Casual, modern, organic
- 🍞 Specialties: Sapiens loaf, olive oil brioche, seasonal breads
- 💶 Price Range: Mid‑range
- 🧺 Seating: Takeaway
- 🌻 Why Go: For bread that’s as good for the body as it is for the soul.
💎 Pleincœur (17th Arrondissement – Batignolles)
Address: 64 Rue des Batignolles, 75017
Chef: Maxime Frédéric (formerly of Cheval Blanc)
Pleincœur is the bakery that food critics can’t stop talking about. Its name, meaning “full heart,” reflects the chef’s philosophy: bake with generosity and precision. The results are stunning — kouign‑amann glazed with apple compote, rice pudding pastries, and golden loaves made with sesame and honey.
Everything here feels polished yet approachable, a rare mix of luxury and warmth. The staff greet regulars by name, and the aroma of butter and roasted grains fills the air.
- 💖 Style: Upscale, warm, refined
- 🥧 Specialties: Buckwheat loaf, apple kouign‑amann, rice‑pudding pastry
- 💰 Price Range: Mid‑high
- 🥡 Seating: Takeaway
- 🌟 Why Go: To experience haute pâtisserie reimagined for everyday enjoyment.
🍪 Éveil (17th Arrondissement – Rue Legendre)
Address: 100 Rue Legendre, 75017
Founded: 2023 by Jonathan Herbster & Florence Blanchet
If bakeries could smile, Éveil would. Everything about this place radiates comfort and joy. Its signature semolina brioches filled with seasonal fruits and chocolate, and its playful smiley‑face cookies, evoke childhood memories in gourmet form. Yet beneath the whimsy lies technical excellence — long fermentations, stone‑ground flours, and butter of the highest quality.
- 🎨 Style: Friendly, nostalgic, and artistic
- 🍓 Specialties: Legendre loaf, semolina brioche, chocolate cookies
- 💸 Price Range: Affordable
- 🛍️ Seating: Takeaway
- 💞 Why Go: To rediscover the joy of simple sweets, crafted with heart and precision.
☕ Ten Belles Bread (11th Arrondissement – Rue Bréguet)
Address: 17–19 bis Rue Bréguet, 75011
More than a bakery, Ten Belles Bread is a community hub. Founded by a team of British artisans, it introduced Paris to the concept of a café-boulangerie hybrid — where excellent sourdough meets specialty coffee. Their country loaves have a chewy texture and deep flavor that pair perfectly with the minimalist menu of sandwiches and cakes.
- 🏙️ Style: Industrial‑chic, communal
- 🍋 Specialties: Sourdough loaf, lemon cake, sandwiches
- 💰 Price Range: Moderate
- 🪑 Seating: Indoor & outdoor communal tables
- ☀️ Why Go: To enjoy the social side of bread — where locals and travelers meet over great coffee.
🕌 La Bague de Kenza (11th Arrondissement – Saint‑Maur)
Address: 106 Rue Saint‑Maur, 75011
Step inside La Bague de Kenza, and you’re transported from Paris to Algiers. This small family-run bakery specializes in North African pastries — honey-drenched baghrir, almond-filled makrout, and fragrant khobz eddar. The warmth of the staff and the sweetness of the pastries make this spot a hidden treasure.
- 🕌 Style: Cozy and traditional
- 🍯 Specialties: Baghrir, khobz eddar, almond pastries
- 💵 Price Range: Budget-friendly
- 🚫 Seating: Takeaway
- 🌴 Why Go: For authentic Maghrebi flavors wrapped in Parisian charm.
🥖 Tout Autour du Pain (3rd Arrondissement – Rue de Turenne)
Address: 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003
Chef: Frédéric Lalos (Meilleur Ouvrier de France)
Located in the heart of Le Marais, Tout Autour du Pain is a local institution. Its baguette tradition has repeatedly placed among the top in Paris’s annual competition, and one bite explains why — shatteringly crisp exterior, tender interior, and just the right balance of salt and sweetness. Their pain au chocolat and brioche feuilletée are equally irresistible.
- 🏡 Style: Authentic neighborhood boulangerie
- 🥐 Specialties: Baguette tradition, pain au chocolat, brioche
- 💶 Price Range: Moderate
- 🚷 Seating: None
- 🕊️ Why Go: To taste the essence of daily Parisian life — simple, warm, and perfect.
🧁 Benoît Castel (20th Arrondissement – Ménilmontant)
Address: 150 Rue de Ménilmontant, 75020
Benoît Castel blends fine‑dining pastry expertise with the relaxed charm of a weekend brunch spot. Known for organic breads, salted caramel tarts, and a Sunday buffet featuring unlimited bread, this bakery-café perfectly balances quality with community.
The atmosphere is welcoming, filled with locals, families, and the intoxicating smell of butter and roasted grains. Castel’s creations — like his deconstructed tarte au citron — exemplify the evolution of French pastry: traditional roots, modern interpretation.
- 🌞 Style: Bright, open, and convivial
- 🧇 Specialties: Multigrain levain, caramel tart, lemon tart
- 💸 Price Range: Mid‑high
- 🪑 Seating: Indoor & outdoor
- 💕 Why Go: For the joy of slow mornings and exceptional pastries.
🏆 Pain Pain (18th Arrondissement – Montmartre)
Address: 88 Rue des Martyrs, 75018
Award: Best Baguette in Paris 2012
Nestled near the Sacré‑Cœur, Pain Pain stands as a symbol of perfection. Its award-winning baguette achieves the golden ratio of crispness to chewiness, and its pastries — from glossy fruit tarts to pillowy brioches — complete the dream. The interior, all wood and marble, invites you to linger and watch the parade of locals collecting their daily bread.
- 🥇 Style: Modern yet authentic
- 🥖 Specialties: Baguette tradition, brioche Suisse, flan
- 💶 Price Range: Moderate
- 🌤️ Seating: Limited terrace
- 🎯 Why Go: To savor award-winning craftsmanship in the heart of Montmartre.
🧭 Final Thoughts
From royal patisseries to hipster sourdough havens, the bakeries of Paris are living museums of flavor and technique. Each tells a story of devotion — to butter, to time, to beauty, to the magic of transformation that turns flour and water into art.
If you only have a few days in Paris, make a morning ritual of visiting a new bakery each day. Start early — the best pastries vanish before noon — and take your treat to a nearby park, bridge, or café terrace. You’ll understand why Parisians speak of bread with the same reverence they give to art, wine, and love.
Bon appétit — and may your next croissant be the best of your life.