Where to find the best croissants in Paris

Nothing screams Paris more than the warm, buttery aroma of freshly-baked croissants. Whether you pair them with jam, dunk them in coffee or opt for decadent fillings, croissants are a mouth-watering delight.

The history of this iconic pastry dates back to the early 1800s, when it was adapted from its Austrian twin, the kipferl. Made from dough layered with butter, the croissant is usually shaped like a crescent—no surprise now where its name came from.

Finding the best croissants in Paris is no easy task, considering the hundreds of bakeries in the city. We’ve sussed out the crème-de-la-crème of croissants, so you can just focus on savoring them. Here are 10 boulangeries and patisseries offering the best croissants in town.

Where: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed on Saturday and Sunday

Satisfy your morning cravings with Du Pain et des Idées’ buttery beauties. Adored by tourists and locals alike, this boulangerie was founded by chef Christophe Vasseur in 2002. He uses time-honored traditions to create top-notch pastries, so you can look forward to authentic croissants here.

Besides flaky croissants, grab a couple of their famous escargots too—snail-shaped pastries swirled with a multitude of flavors from chocolate pistachio (a hot favorite), red fruit, and praline. Order them to-go and relish each bite as you stroll along Canal Saint-Martin.

Where: 133 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris, France

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Monday

At La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac, you’ll find horseshoe-shaped croissants with a crisp outer shell and a soft, fluffy center. In case you’re wondering, these are the not-so-secret ingredients: Minoterie Viron flour and fresh quality butter from Charentes-Poitou. The laminated dough is also set for just the right amount of time to prevent the croissant from being too “heavy”.

Helmed by renowned chef Cyril Lignac and pastry chef Benoit Couvrand, this pâtisserie has four other outlets, a chocolaterie, and several bistros. Since it’s pretty compact, avoid weekends or you’ll have to jostle with their group of seriously loyal clientele.

Where: 2 Rue Wurtz, 75013 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Sunday

Tucked in the Butte aux Cailles neighborhood, Laurent Duchêne’s boulangerie is a prime spot to grab some croissants. The best-seller is the indulgent chocolate croissant with a rich homemade praline filling. If you’re not a fan of cocoa, the top-rated original croissants will win your heart. It’s delicately light and flaky, and an award-winning creation—Duchêne earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France for his culinary prowess.

There are two locations: in the 13th and 15th arrondissements of Paris. Although they’re nowhere near any tourist spots, a trip to Laurent Duchêne is well worth the metro ride.

Where: 47 T Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Monday

Hit the jackpot with croissants from La Maison D’Isabelle. This unassuming boulangerie in the Latin Quarter is home to generously-buttered croissants with a distinct sheen.

Using fine ingredients like organic flour from Moulins de Besseuil, and butter from Pamplie’s creamery, there are no preservatives or artificial additives in this recipe. Fun fact: These croissants were voted the best Parisian croissants of 2018, and only cost one euro each.

Where: 38 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France

Opening hours: Thursday to Monday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed on Tuesday and Wednesday

Achieving the right balance between flakiness, chewiness and softness is key to a flawless croissant. Located in the famous Montmarte neighborhood, Le Grenier à Pain hits close to home with the texture of their croissants. The lightly-caramelized color, creamy milky-white and dense honeycomb interiors bear just the right hint of sweetness. If you’re on the hunt for something more traditional without the fancy twists, give this no-frills Parisian bakery a visit.

Where: 18 Rue de Turbigo, 75002 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BO&MIE is not your traditional pastry shop; it’s a stripped-back cafe great for a cozy meet-up. With three trendy bakeries in Paris alone, BO&MIE is an essential stop for croissants and other gourmet creations. Made from premium AOP Montaigu butter, the croissants here have delicate layers that are a sight to behold.

There are Instagram-worthy variants too, like the croissant with raspberry compote. It’s sweet, tart and flaky all in one bite. One isn’t enough, so we recommend you grab a few to-go.

Where: 88 Rue des Martyrs, 75018 Paris, France

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed on Monday

Nestled in Rue des Martyrs, this stylish boulangerie offers a perfect respite on your way to Sacré-Coeur. With bright gold typography on the windows, a popping blue façade and marble counters, Pain Pain adds a whimsical spin to Parisian bakeries.

Though their croissants are smaller than usual, it’s sturdy and has that addictive buttery taste. Besides, there’s something unmissable about Pain Pain’s polka-dot packaging that makes for a great gift.

Where: 28 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75011 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed on Wednesday

Add Maison Landemaine to your croissant crawl. With 16 outlets and a variety of vegan options to boot, it’s great for those with special dietary needs and others who just want convenience.

Headed by Rodolphe Landemaine, who mastered his craft at the European Center for Culinary Professions, Maison Landemaine opened its doors in 2007. Ever since, it’s been drawing visitors for its plant-based quality pastries. Get ready to be pleasantly surprised by how a vegan croissant (made from 100% plant-based puff pastry) compares to a traditional croissant.

Where: 63 Boulevard Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Tuesday

Founded by esteemed pastry chef Claire Damon, this bakery has a quintessentially Parisian vibe. If you’re yearning for a more savory version of the traditional French croissant, look no further. Des Gâteaux et du Pain’s signature croissant is sprinkled with a dash of Guérande salt crystals which adds to the crunch and creates a slight salted butter effect.

There are two locations to get your hands on these glistening croissants. Go to the touristy one in the 7th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower, or pop by the other outlet in the 15th arrondissement near the Montparnasse train station.

Where: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Since its inception in 1730, Paris’s oldest boulangerie sits on the scenic Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement. Stohrer is renowned for its picture-perfect interiors and delectable pastries. With centuries of baking experience, this thriving bakery produces croissants that stick to an age-old recipe.

Regulars will be quick to recommend the croissant aux amandes—a chestnut-brown croissant with almond cream layers, and dusted with icing sugar. It’s one of the richer croissants here and is hailed as of the best almond croissants in Paris.

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