You Butter Believe It: These Are the Best Croissants in Paris
Let’s get one thing straight: I. Love. Croissants.
There is nothing at all like a fresh, warm bakery croissant. I mean, I am someone who loves baked goods in general–don’t get me started on quiches and baguettes–but croissants are extra, extra special. Stuffed with praliné, or maybe with almond paste, oh, or perhaps a classic pain au chocolat… and there’s new kids on the block too, like the Dubai chocolate croissant with crunchy toasted kataifi and creamy pistachio filling, or the Biscoff cookie butter filled options so popular on social media.
But for me, an avowed Savory Snacker above all, nothing hits quite like the original: a light, perfectly flaky croissant, baked with so much high-quality butter that my fingers have to be licked clean after eating, and with gusto at that. A perfect croissant is one that it’s hopeless to eat neatly, laminated into layer upon impossibly thin layer that, once torn open, showers you with pastry flakes. That is the ideal croissant, and the best place to get these perfect pieces of pastry heaven is, naturally, the source: Paris, where croissants are as iconic as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre.
The Five Best Croissants in Paris
When asked about the best croissant in Paris, everyone you ask might have a different answer. Or they might say, with a very Gallic shrug, “Eh, look in a bakery window. If it looks good to you, then that one.”
For some, the price is paramount; Paris can be expensive, so everyone likes things that are free or low-cost, and a perfectly delicious croissant should be no more than two Euros. For others, the croissant’s butteriness is the deciding factor, or perhaps the sweetness or savoriness of the dough. Everyone’s criteria for “the best” croissant is different!
So, there’s no definitive list of the best. But in my opinion, these five–in no particular order–are right up there! This list concentrates on the standard croissant au beurre (all butter) because I believe if you get this deceptively simple-seeming sort of pastry perfectly right, then surely everything you make is also excellent.
1. The French Bastards
A cheekily named bakery chain (chef and co-founder Julien Abourmad was nicknamed “The French Bastard” by an Australian chef he worked for; but also, a bâtard is another name for a short little loaf of bread), The French Bastards are newer kids on the block, but their baked goods are out of this world good, endorsed by food guru David Lebovitz. In particular their croissants are lauded for their size–large enough to use for sandwiches–lightness, and wonderfully buttery quality. As they’re a chain, just about anywhere you might stay in Paris, you might find The French Bastards; how handy is that?
- Location & Hours: There are multiple locations around Paris, open 7 days a week.
- Monday – Friday: 07:30 – 20:00
- Saturday: 08:30 – 20:00
- Sunday: 08:30 – 18:00
- Price: €1.80
2. Maison d’Isabelle
This little bakery in Paris’ Latin Quarter (also home to the hidden gem that is the Abbey Bookshop; books and croissants, a perfect afternoon!) won the award for the best all-butter croissant in 2018–an award that’s very hard to win, as there are strict rules for a baker to even enter the fray! And indeed, their croissants pop up often on foodie recommendation lists because they really are just that darn good. Beautifully flaky, with a melt-in-your-mouth soft interior and buttery enough to cause your heart doctor some concern, the Maison d’Isabelle croissant au beurre is a heavenly experience.
- Location & Hours: 47ter Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris 5th Arrondissement
- Tuesday – Saturday: 06:00 – 20:00
- Sunday: 06:00 – 18:00
- Price: €1.40
3. Blé Sucré
Another independent bakery with a big reputation, Blé Sucré offers a massive croissant au beurre with gorgeous layering, a wonderful soft interior, and an unusually sweet flavor; most croissants au beurre lean more on the savory side, so this would be a lovely little diversion from the norm. Located out in the 12th Arrondissement, this is a fabulous place to stop and refuel if you’re spending some time shopping at Puces d’Aligre.
- Location & Hours: 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, Paris 12th Arrondissement
- Tuesday – Saturday: 07:00 – 20:00
- Sunday: 07:00 – 18:00
- Price: €1.30
4. Mamiche
There are often long lines out the doors of woman-owned Mamiche’s two bakeries in Paris, and for good reason; their breads are absolutely to die for, and their gorgeous croissants au beurre in particular are little pillows of pastry heaven. They’re a bit flatter and longer than some of the offerings here, but they have a beautiful crisp outside and a tender, flaky interior. Mamiche is a bit viral on foodie Instagram and other social media platforms, but please don’t let that deter you; yes, they are pretty little boulangeries, but their products definitely live up to that hype.
- Location & Hours: 45 Rue Condorcet, 9th Arrondissement | 32 Rue du Château d’Eau 10th Arrondissement
- Tuesday – Friday: 08:00 – 20:00
- Saturday: 08:00 – 20:00 (Condorcet) 08:00 – 19:00 (Chateau)
- Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
- Price: €1.40
5. La Parisienne
La Parisienne’s croissant au beurre was voted the second-best of its kind in Paris in 2025 (the first place prize went to Des Racines et Du Pain in Clemart, just outside of Paris), and this isn’t the first time they’ve been lauded for their work; they also took home a grand prize for their baguette tradition in 2016 and again in 2025. So their bona fides are top tier! They know bread. Their croissants au beurre stand tall and delicious, with buttery layers so precisely defined you can almost count them. There are seven La Parisienne locations scattered throughout Paris, so whether you’re in need of a bit of a soul-bolstering nosh before popping the question at the Eiffel Tower or you want to take some gorgeous croissants on a picnic in a Parisian park, there’s a La Parisienne location ready to fill your pastry needs.
- Location & Hours: There are 7 La Parisienne locations, each with their own hours.
- Tuesday – Friday: 07:30 – 19:30
- Sunday: 08:00 – 17:00
- Price: €1.30
Top Tips for the Perfect Parisian Croissant
- Timing: Go before 10 AM. This is the best way not only to get to the front of any prospective line, but also to best ensure you get a warm, fresh croissant–an especially welcome treat in Paris’ colder seasons.
- Eat Like a Local: When eating your croissant, sit down with a cup of warm cafe au lait or hot chocolate, tear off little bits, and dip them into the hot drink before eating. You could also just dunk the croissant itself, but opinion is divided on whether that’s a brilliant shortcut or a criminal act.
- Plain or Topped? I love a plain croissant with high quality salted butter myself, but popular toppings in Paris include a nice fruit jam or a chocolate-hazelnut paste like Nutella.
