The 15 Finest Boulangeries in Paris
Parisians firmly believe that bread and baguettes (don’t mix them up!) should only be bought at bakeries, never supermarkets. They are always ready to queue for freshly baked treats from the countless boulangeries scattered throughout the City of Lights. The baguette is especially revered: in 2022, UNESCO recognized it as an intangible cultural heritage, and each year, one baker is honored for crafting the best version.
In addition to the iconic, crusty golden baguettes, there’s a variety of breads to explore, from pain de seigle rye to delicate, buttery brioche. Some bakers stick to traditional methods, producing loaves reminiscent of rustic peasant breads, while others embrace modern techniques, creating American-style sourdough, babkas, and focaccias.
Planning to buy baguettes for a dinner gathering? Feel free to break off the nez—the pointy end of the baguette—as a treat on your way home. It’s a charming French tradition that allows the purchaser to enjoy this little indulgence.
Note: This guide is arranged by arrondissement, starting from the 1st and spiraling outward.
Ajiri Aki is the author of JOIE: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life and the founder of Madame de la Maison, an antique online shop.
Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Terroirs d'Avenir
Located on Rue du Nil, part of the Terroirs d’Avenir sustainable agriculture initiative, this boulangerie offers sourdough breads that reflect the organization’s ethos. You'll find a variety of options, including focaccia and multigrain tin loaves. It’s conveniently situated near a fresh market, fishmonger, and butcher, making dinner planning a breeze as you stroll down the block. Found in the 2nd arrondissement.
Tout Autour du Pain
The baguette from Tout Autour du Pain is the quintessential choice for picnics, gatherings, or a quick snack. With its perfectly golden crust and crisp texture, it embodies the ideal baguette. Grab one for later and another to enjoy right away in the charming plaza right across from the shop. What more can you say? Situated in the 3rd arrondissement.
Le Boulanger de la Tour
For those who may not have the time or budget to dine at the historic Tour d’Argent restaurant, its adjacent bakery, Le Boulanger de la Tour, serves as a delightful alternative. A changing selection of breads crafted by the restaurant's renowned bakers is available. They’re so delectable that you can almost feel as if you’ve secured a table in the restaurant's iconic waterfront dining area. Located in the 5th arrondissement.
Boulangerie Poilâne
No visitor to Paris can resist a stop at Poilâne during their stay. This iconic bakery has been crafting delectable sourdough wheat loaves for a century. You can easily spot a Poilâne miche by the distinctive swooping “P” etched into the bread before baking, along with its rich brown hue from the stone-ground whole wheat in the dough. If you're in the mood for sandwiches, perhaps with some jambon de Paris, ask for your loaf to be sliced fresh. Situated in the 6th arrondissement.
The French Bastards
With six locations throughout Paris and a name that’s a delight to say, the French Bastards’ bakeries could thrive on their novelty alone. Fortunately, they offer much more than that. Their breads feature unique ingredients like honey with figs, hazelnuts, an abundance of seeds, and rye flour. Grab a robust loaf to enjoy later, and savor a caramel eclair on your way home.
Mamiche
Be prepared to wait in line at the original location of Cécile Khayat and Victoria Effantin’s immensely popular Mamiche bakery, but rest assured, the wait is worthwhile. Using natural leavening, this dynamic duo creates exceptional breads, from the robust pain de campagne to the airy pain de mie, as well as a classic miche. Don’t overlook their babkas and viennoiseries; you really can’t go wrong with any choice. Found in the 9th arrondissement.
Levain, Le Vin
The concept behind Christophe Fertillet’s Levain, Le Vin—complete with a clever play on words—focuses on pairing exceptional naturally leavened breads with outstanding natural wines. Enjoy a platter of house-made breads alongside complementary charcuterie, or take home some loaves to enjoy with one of the thoughtfully selected bottles of wine available in the shop. Situated in the 10th arrondissement.
Boulangerie Utopie
While numerous boulangeries across Paris may offer bread, pastries, and viennoiseries, most tend to excel in one particular area. However, Utopie in the 11th arrondissement stands out by delivering quality in all aspects. You can confidently choose from their sourdough croissants, refined pastries, brioche, and innovative breads featuring unique ingredients like sesame and curry powder, kalamata olives, and guava with cranberry. If the options feel overwhelming, just remember that in 2024, head baker Xavier Netry secured the title for the city’s top baguette at Le Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris. Located in the 11th arrondissement.
Boulangerie Chambelland
Chambelland is a gluten-free bakery that produces a wide variety of breads, focaccias, cookies, cakes, and pastries. Their philosophy centers on purity, sourcing unique blends of buckwheat, rice, sorghum, and millet flours from a mill in southern France to ensure no cross-contamination with gluten. Chambelland attracts a diverse clientele, including those who eat gluten, drawn in by their baked goods and lunch options like vegan and vegetarian focaccia sandwiches filled with artichoke and tuna or a colorful mix of cabbage, green beans, onions, and mesclun with soy cream, paprika, cumin, honey, and lemon juice. They also serve pissaladière (flatbread topped with olives, onions, and anchovies), bruschettas, and pizza. Located in the 11th arrondissement.
Fermentation Générale
True to its name, Fermentation Générale in the 11th arrondissement centers around fermentation. With offerings that include kefir, kombucha, natural wines, ciders, and pickles, this menu is a paradise for those who enjoy sour flavors. Sourdough fits seamlessly into this theme, with every loaf delivering a tangy, tart flavor profile reminiscent of San Francisco sourdoughs. Located in the 11th arrondissement.
Ten Belles Bread
Alice Quillet and Anna Trattles’s sourdough bakery, Ten Belles Bread, initially puzzled some Parisians. The shop didn't offer baguettes, and its name included the word “bread” rather than “boulangerie.” However, it quickly won over nearly everyone in the city with its delightful loaves. Each bread strikes the perfect balance of sourness, boasting a custardy interior and a crusty exterior. Ten Belles also serves excellent coffee, pastries, and lunch specials, so come hungry. Located in the 11th arrondissement.
Shinya Pain Montmartre
Shinya Inagaki, who has crafted bread at some of Paris’s favorite sourdough bakeries, such as Fermentation Générale and Terroirs d’Avenir, now brings his talents to his own bakery in Montmartre. Here, he produces sourdough breads in his unique style. You might find olive focaccia, brioche, multigrain loaves, and scones written on butcher paper in his cozy storefront on Rue des Trois Frères. Note that the bakery is open only from Thursday to Saturday, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Located in the 18th arrondissement.
Maison Landemaine Jules Joffrin
With 18 locations in Paris and four in Tokyo, Maison Landemaine may not seem like a quaint, artisan boulangerie, yet this international chain delivers delightful treats. Their traditional baguette boasts the perfect balance of crustiness and chewiness, especially when enjoyed with cheeses from the nearby Laiterie cheese shop on Rue des Poissonniers. Located in the 18th arrondissement.
Urban Bakery
Lines often snake down the street at any of Urban Bakery’s eight locations in Paris. Established in 2021 amidst the sourdough and focaccia craze, Urban Bakery exclusively uses 100% organic flour sourced from France for all its breads and pastries. Don't miss out on the famous 'titi' baguette (with up to 1,000 sold daily at each location), the sourdough wheat 'baby meule,' or the deliciously rich, butter-free braided brioche. Located in the 20th arrondissement.
Le Bricheton
Tucked away in a small shop in the 20th, Le Bricheton is a haven for passionate bread enthusiasts. Operating limited hours (from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays), the bread tends to disappear quickly. If you find yourself nearby, this charming bakery is a must-visit. The breads are crafted from organic flour sourced from France, frequently featuring ancient grains like Khorasan wheat. Located in the 20th arrondissement.
Evaluation :
5/5