dessert
The Best Pain au Chocolat in Paris: My Top 5 Picks (2025)
Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 12:24 am
Paris is known for many extraordinary things such as fine dining, winemaking, and having best in class museums… just to name a few. But let’s be real — none of that holds a candle to the true star of the city: the classic French bakery (aka a boulangerie). More specifically, the absolute perfection that is a pain au chocolat. Flaky, buttery layers wrapped around rich, melty chocolate? Yep, I’ll take that over the Louvre any day 🍫 🥐
Similar to a traditional croissant (but 100000x better), a pain au chocolat is a croissant dough pastry filled with two sticks of chocolate inside. They are typically rolled and cut into a rectangular shape whereas croissants are made into small to medium sized crescents. The signature markings of a phenomenal pain au chocolat are flakiness, butteriness, and visible layers on the inside after taking your first bite 🤤
As a solo traveler with a serious sweet tooth, I went on a quest to find the best pain au chocolat during my last trip to Paris. From the oldest boulangerie in the city to the new kids on the block – below is a complete list of the Top 5 Bakeries in Paris for all your baguette and pastry needs 🥖
This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Paris at a Glance
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Paris, France:
- Hôtel Maxim Opéra – Tucked away near the Grands Boulevards, this sleek, modern stay is all about comfort and convenience. With stylish rooms, friendly service, and easy access to shopping, theaters, and lively cafés, it’s a great pick for travelers who want a chic but unfussy Parisian home base. This is where I stayed when I traveled alone and loved it. It was safe, clean, and quiet but also super convenient to get around the city!
- Le Pigalle Paris – A boutique hotel with serious personality, Le Pigalle is as effortlessly cool as the neighborhood it calls home. Think vintage-meets-modern decor, a buzzing local crowd, and a bar that feels more like a friend’s stylish apartment. Perfect for those who want to experience Paris with a side of hipster charm.
- The Hoxton Paris — The Hoxton Paris blends 18th-century elegance with modern, laid-back style in the 2nd arrondissement. With chic rooms, a buzzing bar, and a prime location near the Marais, it’s perfect for travelers who want Parisian charm with a trendy twist.
A Brief History of Paris Boulangeries
Paris and bread go way back 🥖
Like, French Revolution back. In the Middle Ages, bakers (aka boulangers) were basically as important as politicians, and by the 18th century, if you messed with the bread supply, you risked full-on revolt.
After the revolution, boulangeries as we know them finally became a thing, and by the 19th century, Paris had perfected the art of baking, giving the world crispy baguettes and those buttery, flaky wonders known as viennoiseries.
And that’s where the croissant and pain au chocolat come in. (God’s greatest gift to earth imo).
While the croissant’s roots trace back to Austria (shocking, I know), it was the French who made it the buttery, layered perfection we now dream about. Same deal with the pain au chocolat which is essentially a croissant’s more introverted, chocolate-stuffed cousin.
Today, all the Parisian boulangeries battle it out to see who can make the flakiest, butteriest, most life-changing versions of these pastries. And honestly? We’re all winning as a result.
Top 5 Bakeries in Paris for Pain au Chocolat
Look, I’m no food critic — just a travel blogger with an aggressive sweet tooth and no amount of self-control around pastries. So when I landed in Paris, there was really only one logical thing to do: eat my way through an unreasonable number of pain au chocolat in the name of “research.”
After a lot of walking, searching on google, and loading up on carbs — I’ve finally ranked my personal top five. So keep reading to learn more about where to find the most perfect buttery chocolatey pain au chocolat in Paris 👇
#1 Mamiche
With multiple locations and sourdough kneaded by hand daily, Mamiche is one of the top bakeries in Paris. They take an artisanal approach to bread-making and everything is 100% homemade. Their pain au chocolat ranked at the very top of my list, but make sure you also pick up a slice of their delicious chocolate marble brioche, also known as babka.
Website: https://www.mamiche.fr/
Arrondissement: 9th and 10th arrondissement(s).
Address:
9th: 45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, France
10th: 32 Rue du Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 10/10
#2 Tout Autour du Pain
Originally known as 134 RdT (scroll down for the address and you’ll see why), Tout Autour du Pain is located in the trendy Le Marais and has won multiple awards for the best croissant and baguette in all of Paris. Make sure to pop in on a weekday (they’re closed on weekends) for a pain au chocolat and baguette, before heading out to explore one of the busiest neighborhoods in Paris!
Arrondissement: 3rd arrondissement
Address: 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 9/10
#3 Le Grenier à Pain
Similar to Mamiche, Le Grenier à Pain takes an artisanal approach to baking. They view bread-making as a true craft, and are always looking for new and upcoming bakers to join the team and push the boundaries of creativity.
What does a pastry from here and that friend who bails last minute on dinner plans have in common?
They are both flaky. Except when it comes to this pain au chocolat, that’s a very good thing.
Website: https://legrenierapain.com/en/
Arrondissement: 18th arrondissement (Montmartre)
Address: 38 rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris France
Pain au chocolat rating: 9/10
#4 Stohrer
Different from a typical bakery, Stohrer is actually classified as a patisserie (dessert shop). Not only that – Stohrer is actually the oldest patisserie in Paris! Besides carrying mouth-watering baked goods, they also specialize in traditional French pastries such as éclairs, lemon tarts, and baba au rhum.
Since Stohrer tends to fall on every foodie’s wishlist, this can result in a very crowded storefront, especially on weekends.
Website: https://stohrer.fr/
Arrondissement: 2nd arrondissement
Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 7/10
#5 PAUL
Established in 1889, PAUL Bakery & Cafe has locations in over 27 different countries around the world today. After spending enough time in Paris, you’ll start to easily recognize their all caps, four letter logo everywhere you go. I was hesitant to include PAUL on this list because they’re somewhat of a chain, but that shouldn’t discount the fact that they still serve freshly made baguettes and flavorful pains au chocolat.
Website: https://www.paul-bakeries.com/en/
Arrondissement: Over 300 locations in France!
Pain au chocolat rating: 7/10
Best Pain au Chocolat in Paris: Final Thoughts
And there you have it. My top 5 absolute must-visit spots for a pain au chocolat in Paris. Again, I’m no food critic so don’t come for me!!!
Whether you’re all about the artisanal vibes at Mamiche, hunting down an award-winning pastry in Le Marais, or grabbing a classic from the city’s oldest patisserie, one thing’s for sure: Parisian bakeries don’t f*ck around when it comes to buttery, chocolatey perfection.
So go forth, eat irresponsibly, and may your pastries always be flaky to the point that you’ll need to buy yourself a new pair of pants in the city of fashion.
Did you get to try a pain au chocolat from any of these boulangeries? Let me know in the comments below!
Visiting other parts of France?
Check out my other travel guides on France here.
Visiting other parts of Europe?
Check out my other travel guides on Europe here.
Looking for travel inspiration to somewhere else?
Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 12:24 am
Paris is known for many extraordinary things such as fine dining, winemaking, and having best in class museums… just to name a few. But let’s be real — none of that holds a candle to the true star of the city: the classic French bakery (aka a boulangerie). More specifically, the absolute perfection that is a pain au chocolat. Flaky, buttery layers wrapped around rich, melty chocolate? Yep, I’ll take that over the Louvre any day 🍫 🥐
Similar to a traditional croissant (but 100000x better), a pain au chocolat is a croissant dough pastry filled with two sticks of chocolate inside. They are typically rolled and cut into a rectangular shape whereas croissants are made into small to medium sized crescents. The signature markings of a phenomenal pain au chocolat are flakiness, butteriness, and visible layers on the inside after taking your first bite 🤤
As a solo traveler with a serious sweet tooth, I went on a quest to find the best pain au chocolat during my last trip to Paris. From the oldest boulangerie in the city to the new kids on the block – below is a complete list of the Top 5 Bakeries in Paris for all your baguette and pastry needs 🥖
This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Paris at a Glance
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Paris, France:
- Hôtel Maxim Opéra – Tucked away near the Grands Boulevards, this sleek, modern stay is all about comfort and convenience. With stylish rooms, friendly service, and easy access to shopping, theaters, and lively cafés, it’s a great pick for travelers who want a chic but unfussy Parisian home base. This is where I stayed when I traveled alone and loved it. It was safe, clean, and quiet but also super convenient to get around the city!
- Le Pigalle Paris – A boutique hotel with serious personality, Le Pigalle is as effortlessly cool as the neighborhood it calls home. Think vintage-meets-modern decor, a buzzing local crowd, and a bar that feels more like a friend’s stylish apartment. Perfect for those who want to experience Paris with a side of hipster charm.
- The Hoxton Paris — The Hoxton Paris blends 18th-century elegance with modern, laid-back style in the 2nd arrondissement. With chic rooms, a buzzing bar, and a prime location near the Marais, it’s perfect for travelers who want Parisian charm with a trendy twist.
A Brief History of Paris Boulangeries
Paris and bread go way back 🥖
Like, French Revolution back. In the Middle Ages, bakers (aka boulangers) were basically as important as politicians, and by the 18th century, if you messed with the bread supply, you risked full-on revolt.
After the revolution, boulangeries as we know them finally became a thing, and by the 19th century, Paris had perfected the art of baking, giving the world crispy baguettes and those buttery, flaky wonders known as viennoiseries.
And that’s where the croissant and pain au chocolat come in. (God’s greatest gift to earth imo).
While the croissant’s roots trace back to Austria (shocking, I know), it was the French who made it the buttery, layered perfection we now dream about. Same deal with the pain au chocolat which is essentially a croissant’s more introverted, chocolate-stuffed cousin.
Today, all the Parisian boulangeries battle it out to see who can make the flakiest, butteriest, most life-changing versions of these pastries. And honestly? We’re all winning as a result.
Top 5 Bakeries in Paris for Pain au Chocolat
Look, I’m no food critic — just a travel blogger with an aggressive sweet tooth and no amount of self-control around pastries. So when I landed in Paris, there was really only one logical thing to do: eat my way through an unreasonable number of pain au chocolat in the name of “research.”
After a lot of walking, searching on google, and loading up on carbs — I’ve finally ranked my personal top five. So keep reading to learn more about where to find the most perfect buttery chocolatey pain au chocolat in Paris 👇
#1 Mamiche
With multiple locations and sourdough kneaded by hand daily, Mamiche is one of the top bakeries in Paris. They take an artisanal approach to bread-making and everything is 100% homemade. Their pain au chocolat ranked at the very top of my list, but make sure you also pick up a slice of their delicious chocolate marble brioche, also known as babka.
Website: https://www.mamiche.fr/
Arrondissement: 9th and 10th arrondissement(s).
Address:
9th: 45 Rue Condorcet, 75009 Paris, France
10th: 32 Rue du Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 10/10
#2 Tout Autour du Pain
Originally known as 134 RdT (scroll down for the address and you’ll see why), Tout Autour du Pain is located in the trendy Le Marais and has won multiple awards for the best croissant and baguette in all of Paris. Make sure to pop in on a weekday (they’re closed on weekends) for a pain au chocolat and baguette, before heading out to explore one of the busiest neighborhoods in Paris!
Arrondissement: 3rd arrondissement
Address: 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 9/10
#3 Le Grenier à Pain
Similar to Mamiche, Le Grenier à Pain takes an artisanal approach to baking. They view bread-making as a true craft, and are always looking for new and upcoming bakers to join the team and push the boundaries of creativity.
What does a pastry from here and that friend who bails last minute on dinner plans have in common?
They are both flaky. Except when it comes to this pain au chocolat, that’s a very good thing.
Website: https://legrenierapain.com/en/
Arrondissement: 18th arrondissement (Montmartre)
Address: 38 rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris France
Pain au chocolat rating: 9/10
#4 Stohrer
Different from a typical bakery, Stohrer is actually classified as a patisserie (dessert shop). Not only that – Stohrer is actually the oldest patisserie in Paris! Besides carrying mouth-watering baked goods, they also specialize in traditional French pastries such as éclairs, lemon tarts, and baba au rhum.
Since Stohrer tends to fall on every foodie’s wishlist, this can result in a very crowded storefront, especially on weekends.
Website: https://stohrer.fr/
Arrondissement: 2nd arrondissement
Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France
Pain au chocolat rating: 7/10
#5 PAUL
Established in 1889, PAUL Bakery & Cafe has locations in over 27 different countries around the world today. After spending enough time in Paris, you’ll start to easily recognize their all caps, four letter logo everywhere you go. I was hesitant to include PAUL on this list because they’re somewhat of a chain, but that shouldn’t discount the fact that they still serve freshly made baguettes and flavorful pains au chocolat.
Website: https://www.paul-bakeries.com/en/
Arrondissement: Over 300 locations in France!
Pain au chocolat rating: 7/10
Best Pain au Chocolat in Paris: Final Thoughts
And there you have it. My top 5 absolute must-visit spots for a pain au chocolat in Paris. Again, I’m no food critic so don’t come for me!!!
Whether you’re all about the artisanal vibes at Mamiche, hunting down an award-winning pastry in Le Marais, or grabbing a classic from the city’s oldest patisserie, one thing’s for sure: Parisian bakeries don’t f*ck around when it comes to buttery, chocolatey perfection.
So go forth, eat irresponsibly, and may your pastries always be flaky to the point that you’ll need to buy yourself a new pair of pants in the city of fashion.
Did you get to try a pain au chocolat from any of these boulangeries? Let me know in the comments below!
Visiting other parts of France?
Check out my other travel guides on France here.
Visiting other parts of Europe?
Check out my other travel guides on Europe here.
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