The best patisseries in Paris
Indulge in intricately designed sweet treats from the city's top pastry chefs

A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to one of the city's many pâtisseries. From creamy eclairs to colourful macarons, when it comes to sweet treats the French are in a league of their own.
It's tempting to stop at the first place you stumble across; you'll pass countless windows piled high with pastries and cakes that look almost too pretty to eat. But for baked goods that are a cut above the rest, here are some of the very best patisseries in Paris.
Boulangerie Utopie
Locals and tourists alike flock to this tiny neighbourhood bakery in the 11th arrondissement to sample its "exotic flavours", said Melissa Liebling-Goldberg in Condé Nast Traveller. For the "ideal antidote to overly sweet cakes" try the roulé sésame – an "unexpected creamy-savoury concoction" made with activated charcoal and black sesame seeds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
La Pâtisserie du Meurice par Cédric Grolet
Avoid the "maddening" queues at Cédric Grolet's dedicated patisserie at Opéra for this tranquil "jewel box of a shop" at Le Meurice hotel, advised Condé Nast Traveller. The culinary master (named the World's Best Pastry Chef at just 32) is known for his "exquisite" sculpted fruits (which look just like the real thing) and freshly baked raspberry tarts.
Tapisserie
Bertrand Grébaut and Théophile Pourriat – the duo behind the Michelin-starred Septime – take a "no-nonsense approach to sweet treats" at Tapisserie, said François Blanc in Time Out. The seasonal tarts and silky vanilla flan are both "rustic and delicious" – and you can't go wrong with the fontainebleau (a traditional dessert made with sheep's cheese).
Arnaud Larher
This is a wonderful spot for "revisiting the classics", said Time Out. Among the highlights to look out for at the renowned pastry chef's shop are the "decadent" baba au rhum and "cloud-like" mille-feuille.
Stohrer
"You haven't lived until you've had a kouign-amann from Stohrer", said Dayna Evans in Eater. The "epitome of pastry", the sweet Breton cakes are "caramelised to a deep amber" and have a wonderful flaky, crunchy texture. If they've run out, opt for a classic choux pastry religieuse instead.
Bontemps
At this charming pastry shop in the Marais, the "nostalgic sablé" (a crumbly shortbread-style biscuit) is "elevated to new heights", said Eater. Choose from bite-size biscuits "perfect for nibbling on the go" or heftier sablés brimming with an array of tasty fillings from lemon curd to candied chestnut.
Chambelland
Finally, said Condé Nast Traveller, this "excellent" bakery in the "trendy" Oberkampf neighbourhood caters to the gluten-free crowd. Be sure to try the pâtisserie's "undisputed showstopper", the marquise popincourt – a lemon meringue tart that's available throughout the year.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.
-
What is Starmer's £33m plan to smash 'vile' Channel migration gangs?
Today's Big Question PM lays out plan to tackle migration gangs like international terrorism, with cooperation across countries and enhanced police powers
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Quirky hot cross buns to try this Easter
The Week Recommends Creative, flavourful twists on the classic Easter bake, from tiramisu and stem ginger to a cheesy sharing-size treat
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
6 welcoming recipes for cooking and baking during your spring days
The Week Recommends You want it flavorful, and you want it exciting
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Spring's best new cookbooks, from pizza to pastries
The Week Recommends Pizza, an array of brownies and Cantonese-American mash-ups are on the menu
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Cherry blossom season: Washington diners’ happy time
feature The five best spots to enjoy the festivities
By The Week US Published
-
10 upcoming albums to stream in the hazy spring
The Week Recommends Ring in the end of the cold weather with some new music
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Video games to play this spring, including 'Split Fiction' and 'South of Midnight'
The Week Recommends A meta co-op game puts you in a game within a game, and a life simulator that can compete with the 'Sims' franchise
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
These 8 restaurants bring spring to your table
The Week Recommends An array of cuisines at noteworthy restaurants across the US
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Critics’ choice: Fine dining worth stepping up to
Feature Celebrity chefs share a kitchen, a ‘spa-like’ lounge, and more
By The Week US Published
-
7 new and long-established musicals to see on tour this spring
The Week Recommends Even 'Les Misérables' is back on the road
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published