In Paris, every street corner seems to be home to a boulangerie, each offering its own version of pain au chocolat. Behind these viennoiseries lies a skilful blend of quality ingredients, know-how and time. After all, excellent pain au chocolat isn't made in the blink of an eye. Some bakers add their own personal touch, sometimes with unusual ingredients, making the tasting experience even more memorable. So forget the supermarket pains au chocolat that don't reflect Parisian savoir-faire, and sample some of the best Paris has to offer.
In addition to its beautiful puff pastry, its taste also comes its visual appeal! And one thing's for sure: our Parisian craftsmen know how to combine good taste and beautiful pain au chocolat. A great classic of French culinary heritage, pain au chocolat is an indisputable delicacy. Equally popular for breakfast, brunch and afternoon tea, this delicacy is one of our must-haves.
So where can you find the best pains au chocolat in Paris?
Not-to-be-missed highlights:
Pleincœur, Maxime Frédéric's bakery, patisserie and chocolate shop Paris 17th arrondissement
Maxime Frédéric, the famous Cheval Blanc pastry chef, surrounded by a talented team, has opened Pleincœur, a family-run bakery, patisserie and chocolaterie that's full of treasures. We take you on a tour of this Parisian boutique in the 17th arrondissement, in the Batignolles district. [Read more]
Gonflé, Timothy Breton's delicious Paris bakery and patisserie
Say goodbye to Bara and hello to Gonflé, Timothy Breton's new bakery and patisserie in Paris's 10th arrondissement, a stone's throw from Gare du Nord. We're off to discover its delicacies. We tell you all about the redesigned and expanded offering, and the ambition to move into other locations. [Read more]
Roulés Boulés : The bakery of gourmet sandwiches and exceptional viennoiseries, Paris 3rd arrondissement
Are you looking for a good neighborhood artisan bakery in Paris's 3rd arrondissement that honors good sandwiches and quality viennoiseries? You'll "Roulés Boulés" to this excellent gourmet address that combines quality, love and creative viennoiseries. We've tried it and we love it! [Read more]
Petite Île Paris, the Franco-Taiwanese bakery that delights the Marais district
Petite Île Paris is the name of this charming artisan bakery in the 3ᵉ arrondissement, which delights us with its sourdough breads, gourmet viennoiseries and unique Taiwanese brioches. We take you on a discovery tour. [Read more]
Christophe Michalak's bakery, patisserie and chocolate shop Étienne Marcel, Paris 1er
Gourmet alert, Christophe Michalak has just opened his new boutique in the 1ᵉʳ arrondissement of Paris. Head to rue Etienne Marcel to discover this new gourmet spot, which for the first time brings together pastry, bakery and chocolate all in one place. [Read more]
Boulangerie Pâtisserie l'Équilibre, the best in French patisserie Paris 15e
L'Équilibre is the Boulangerie Pâtisseries that everyone flocks to in Paris's 15th arrondissement. With a baker and pastry chef who is a former palace sous chef, the pastries, viennoiseries and sourdough breads are as luxurious as they are gourmet, and at a more affordable price. We love the classic, excellently executed, all in a historic boutique. [Read more]
Boulangerie Éveil, a nugget of old-fashioned flours and good produce in Paris's 17th arrondissement
Nugget alert! We've unearthed a new bakery in Paris's 17th arrondissement that's well worth a visit. With its ancient flours and quality raw materials, 25 years of expertise and affordable prices, it ticks all the boxes. We'll take you on a discovery tour. [Read more]
Le Tout-Paris at Cheval Blanc Paris
Le Tout-Paris, the sublime restaurant that rules the capital, wins its first Michelin star. Located on the 7ᵉ floor of the Cheval Blanc Paris, with a terrace boasting breathtaking views of the Seine and the capital's iconic monuments, you'll discover William Bequin's beautiful contemporary French cuisine, generous and well mastered. [Read more]
Gourmet breakfast at La Datcha Paris
La Datcha is the newly opened restaurant in the 11th arrondissment where you can enjoy dishes by Ukrainian chef Maksym Zorin. This warm and inviting country house-style spot awaits you every morning for breakfast with its breads and croissants, as well as for afternoon tea. On Saturdays, an ultra-gourmet formula is on the menu. [Read more]
The French Bastards opens a decadent bakery-pastry shop Paris 7th arrondissement
The French Bastards opens a bakery on rue de Sèvres in the 7th arrondissement, bringing a contemporary touch to the neighborhood. Opening date: November 17, 2023. [Read more]
Atelier Fargo, the artisan sourdough bakery in Paris's 20th arrondissement
Atelier Fargo is the name of the artisanal bakery and patisserie in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. From sourdough breads made with ancient flours, to viennoiseries made with milk sourdough and pastries made with raw ingredients, there's plenty to indulge in without breaking the bank. [Read more]
Bopain, the 12th arrondissement bakery with incredible pastries
Bopain, freshly opened, is the neighborhood bakery-pastry shop in Paris's 12th arrondissement that combines good produce and expertise. At Bopain, there are no concessions: all bread is organic, and all viennoiseries and pastries are homemade with passion. [Read more]
Atelier P1, the bakery in the 18th district that offers workshops to learn how to make organic bread
In the Lamarck district, come discover your new favorite bakery, with its organic breads, pies, pastries and seasonal sandwiches, Atelier P1! Workshops are also offered on Wednesdays to learn how to make your own sourdough bread. [Read more]
Bulle, the bakery and patisserie that delights the Buttes Chaumont in Paris
Let's go and discover Bulle, the bakery and patisserie that's got pasian gourmands in a frenzy. Opened a few months ago by Jules Neyers and Eugénie Brunetière, this new spot is sure to tempt your taste buds in search of good sourdough breads, fine viennoiseries and fine pastries. [Read more]
Sain Gravilliers, a committed bakery and tearoom in Paris
Sain opens a new bakery in Paris on rue de Gravilliers in the 3rd arrondissement. And surprise, surprise, the more spacious premises also feature a tea room area for indulging. Sourdough bread, rare and forgotten ancient flours, good healthy products and sustainability are the codes of this new spot with a bohemian spirit. We tell you all about it... [Read more]
Pépite, the new gourmet bakery and pastry shop in the 11th arrondissement
Pépite, that's the name of this new bakery - pastry shop which has set up shop on boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. 100% homemade, greed and authenticity are waiting for you in this new address where you can sit down and enjoy yourself. [Read more]
Frappe, the urban bakery-pastry shop that's making Paris run
Frappe is the name of a new bakery and patisserie that opened this year in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Solenn Le Squer and Thomas Padovan offer delicious artisan breads, gourmet viennoiseries, crazy Frappe Rolls and fine pastries. [Read more]
Joël Defives' Baptiste Bakery and Pastry Shop in Batignolles
Joël Defives, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and former executive chef of Thierry Marx bakeries, has opened his first bakery in Batignolles in the 17th arrondissement. We're off to discover the slow-rising sourdough breads, the well-sourced products and the delicious pastries. [Read more]
The Ritz patisserie by François Perret
Ritz Paris Le Comptoir is the name of François Perret's pastry shop and tea room at the Ritz. Head to 38 rue Cambon to discover pastry bars, pastry drinks, all kinds of madeleines and, of course, the chef's famous pastries that we love so much. [Read more]
Philippe Conticini opens a bakery-pastry shop Gâteaux d'Emotions in the 16th arrondissement
Gâteau d'Emotions is the first 'Boulangerie' of the chef who unveils a beautiful range of breads and pastries in addition to the delicious pastries we love. [Read more]
Cédric Grolet Opéra: Bakery-Pastry shop, Tea room and Bar
Discover Cédric Grolet Opéra, a bakery and pastry shop offering pastries, bread, dishes and desserts, as well as a tea room and bar on the first floor. [Read more]
Pain au chocolat, or chocolatine to some, is more than just a pastry. Its creation dates back to Austrians August Zang and Ernest Schwarzer, who introduced it to Paris between 1837 and 1839. Today, this traditional viennoiserie is an integral part of the French culinary landscape.
In short, whether you prefer to call it pain au chocolat or chocolatine, one thing's for sure: this viennoiserie is a veritable symbol of Parisian breakfast and snacks. And thanks to our recommendations, we hope you'll be able to discover or rediscover some of the capital's finest specimens. Happy tasting!
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