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Parisian Bakers Reveal Where Locals REALLY Go for Croissants (Not Where Tourists Think!)

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When you think of Paris, you probably imagine starting your morning with a flaky, buttery croissant from a charming bakery.

A cozy setup featuring a warm croissant and coffee cup on a wooden table with an open magazine.

But here’s the thing: most tourists end up eating disappointing croissants from places that Parisians avoid! 😬

Want to experience a real, high-quality Parisian croissant instead of a dry, mass-produced one? 🏆 We asked local bakers and pastry chefs to reveal where they actually go—and their answers may surprise you!

🚫 1. Buying Croissants at Chain Bakeries or Grocery Stores

🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Tourists often grab croissants from convenience stores, hotel buffets, or chain bakeries like Paul, Brioche Dorée, or Eric Kayser—thinking they’re getting something special. But the reality? Many of these places sell frozen, factory-made croissants instead of fresh, hand-rolled ones.

💸 The Costly Mistake:

  • Most chain bakeries use pre-made dough, meaning the croissants lack the delicate buttery layers of a real artisanal pastry.
  • The flour and butter quality is lower, resulting in a bland, sometimes greasy texture.
  • Many hotels and supermarkets don’t even bake their own croissants—they just reheat frozen ones!

✅ Where Locals REALLY Go for Croissants:

  • 🥇 Du Pain et des Idées (10/10 on every list! Famous for their “escargot” pastries and super flaky croissants.) 📍 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris
  • 🥇 La Maison d’Isabelle (Award-winning croissants made with top-tier butter.)📍 47ter Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
  • 🥇 Des Gâteaux et du Pain (Bakers here obsess over every detail—expect perfection!) 📍 63 Boulevard Pasteur, 75015 Paris

Related Read: Where to Find the Best Croissants in Paris

🚫 2. Ordering a Croissant au Beurre vs. a Croissant Ordinaire (and Not Knowing the Difference!)

🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Not all croissants are created equal! If you just ask for “a croissant,” you might end up with a croissant ordinaire, which is made with vegetable oil instead of real butter.

💸 The Costly Mistake:

  • A croissant ordinaire is cheaper (usually €1) but has a drier texture and less flavor.
  • The real deal—the croissant au beurre—is made with high-quality French butter and has a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Most tourists don’t realize this difference and end up with an inferior croissant experience.

✅ How to Order Like a Local:

  • Always ask for a “croissant au beurre” to ensure you’re getting the real deal.
  • If a bakery only sells croissants au beurre, you’ve found a high-quality spot!

👉 Best Bakeries for a Perfect Croissant au Beurre:

  • 🥇 Blé Sucré (Crispy outside, soft inside, perfect balance of sweetness.)
    📍 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris
  • 🥇 Stohrer (The oldest pastry shop in Paris—nearly 300 years old!)
    📍 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris

🚫 3. Thinking the Most Famous Boulangerie is Automatically the Best

🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Many tourists Google “best croissant in Paris” and rush to one or two famous bakeries. While some of these places are amazing, others have become so popular with tourists that they no longer focus on quality.

💸 The Costly Mistake:

  • Some once-great bakeries now mass-produce croissants to meet demand.
  • You might end up waiting in a long line only to get a croissant that’s just okay.
  • There are so many underrated bakeries where locals go instead!

✅ Where Locals REALLY Go Instead:

  • 🥇 Maison Pichard (A neighborhood gem—perfectly flaky and rich croissants!)
    📍 88 Rue Cambronne, 75015 Paris
  • 🥇 Laurent Duchêne (Award-winning pastry chef with croissants to match!)
    📍 2 Rue Wurtz, 75013 Paris
  • 🥇 Boulangerie Utopie (Creative pastries + a croissant that melts in your mouth.)
    📍 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris

🚫 4. Only Ordering Croissants & Missing Other Amazing Pastries

🛑 Why It’s a Mistake:
Paris has SO many incredible pastries beyond croissants! Locals love variety, and if you only order a croissant, you’re missing out on some of the most buttery, indulgent pastries ever.

✅ What to Try Instead:

🥐 Pain au Chocolat (Like a croissant, but filled with rich chocolate.)
🥐 Chausson aux Pommes (Flaky pastry stuffed with sweet apple compote.)
🥐 Escargot Pistache Chocolat (A spiral pastry with pistachio & chocolate—famous at Du Pain et des Idées!)

👉 Best Places to Try Them:

  • 🥇 L’Éclair de Génie (Amazing seasonal pastries + famous éclairs.)
    📍 Multiple locations across Paris
  • 🥇 Poilâne (Historic bakery known for rustic bread + buttery pastries.)
    📍 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
  • 🥇 Pierre Hermé (Their famous “2000 Feuilles” is a must-try.)
    📍 72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

🚀 Final Tips for Finding the Best Croissants in Paris

✅ Look for bakeries that say “Artisan Boulanger.” This means they bake everything in-house!
✅ Go early in the morning—the best croissants sell out fast!
✅ If a bakery also sells sandwiches & salads, avoid it. This means they focus more on lunch than quality pastries.

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  • Practical tips for visiting Paris
  • The best foods to eat in Paris
  • The best restaurants in Paris (my top picks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
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  • The best (and worst) places to stay in Paris, including my top picks for hotels in each area

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