There’s no doubt that the world has come to know French cuisine as one of the best. One of my favorite things to do during any trip to Paris is explore local cafes, bakeries, and french patisseries in search of yummy desserts and layers of puff pastry.
And while butter croissants may be the most popular french pastries, there are so many other delicious and iconic dessert and bakery options beyond this French classic.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, here are the best French pastries to try while you’re there, plus of few of my favorite spots to find them.
Best French Pastries to Try on Your Next Trip to Paris
Croissant
Of course, I can’t start this list without putting the croissant at the top of it. This classic French pastry is available everywhere in France, and the best kinds have a browned, crisp top layer and lots of buttery layers on the inside.
WHERE TO GO: One of my favorite spots for butter croissants is Mamiche, located in the 9th and 10th arrondissements of Paris. Also a must-buy here: the chocolate babka.
Pain au Chocolat
Of course, there are always chocolate croissants, or pain au chocolat if you’re in the mood for something flaky but a little sweeter.
Almond Croissant
Ever wonder what pastry shops do with leftover croissants? They breathe new life into day-old ones by turning them into another popular pastry: the almond croissant.
Since day old croissants are slighter harder than fresh ones, they don’t get soggy from the almond paste filling and can hold up to the generous spread of simple syrup and sliced almond topping.
Pain Suisse
One of my latest French pastry obsessions is Pain Suisse. Pain Suisse is made from brioche dough and contains pastry cream (also known as crème pâtissière) and chocolate chips as the filling.
This pastry is sweeter than the traditional croissant, but absolutely delicious. It’s one of my favorite French pastries!
Torsades au Chocolat
You may also see something that looks similar to Pain Suisse but has a twisted stick appearance. These are torsades au chocolat! Although both have pastry cream and chocolate chips, torsades au chocolat are made with flaky pastry dough, while Pain Suisse uses brioche.
Kouign Amann
Kouign Amann (pronounced “coon ya-mon”) is literally translated to butter cake. It’s made from layers of flaky puffy pastry and a caramelized, rolled up to look like something between a cinnamon roll and muffin.
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Pain aux Raisins
Pain aux Raisins, also known as escargot or pain russe, is a flaky pastry filled with a touch of pastry cream and raisins. Its spiral shape is similar to that of a cinnamon roll, but the taste is completely different!
WHERE TO GO: Du Pain et des Idées, located at 34 Rue Yves Toudic. Thy are known for their chocolate pistachio escargot (which is amazing), but I also loved the praline version. This place is a short walk from Mamiche in the 10th arrondissement, so make a morning of pastry testing if you’re in the area!
French Macaron
We all know and love French macarons – those adorably small, perfect cookies that look like miniature whoopie pies. Made with egg whites, almond flour and sugar, then filled with cream, these cookies are as pretty as they are tasty.
WHERE TO GO: Although Ladurée has expanded into many US cities, it’s still worth a stop to one of their Paris shops while you’re there. Pierre Hermé macarons are just as tasty, if not better. Fun fact: he actually used to work at Ladurée before branching off to create his namesake shops.
Éclair
Éclairs to me are like fancy French donuts. This is a long, traditional French pastry made from choux pastry dough, filled with custard or pastry cream, then topped with chocolate ganache.
WHERE TO GO: Stohrer is the oldest patisserie in Paris, and although they’re known for baba au rhum, I love their eclairs!
Chouquettes
These are light and airy choux pastry puffs baked with pearl sugar – specialty sugar that’s highly popular in Europe – for added sweetness and crunch.
Mille-feuille
Mille-feuille, translated to “thousand layers” is one of the most beautiful classic French desserts. It features alternating layers of flaky puff pastry and layers of pastry cream. Even though this dessert looks like it would be heavy, the layers of pastry are somehow magically light as air.
Madeleines
Madeleines look like a cookie, with the crumble and texture of a cake. These little sponge cakes are characterized by their distinct shape – that of a long shell.
They often have a touch of vanilla or lemon zest, and the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea, coffee, or alongside fresh fruit.
Canelé
The canelé is originally from Bordeaux, a region in southwest France, but it’s widely available across the country of France.
These look like compact, small cakes with a caramelized crust and soft center. Made from vanilla, rum, egg, butter, sugar, and flour, they can be difficult to make (like most classic French pastries), and not super common in the US, so I recommend grabbing a few to snack on during your Paris trip.
Chausson aux Pommes
Apple turnovers, French style! These crescent-shaped pastries are filled with cinnamon-spiced apples, and when served warm they make for the perfect breakfast on a chilly day.
Paris-Brest
I had never heard of Paris-Brest until a more recent trip to France. This is a decadent French dessert that looks like a big bagel or bicycle wheel, sliced in half like a sandwich to house lots of praline-flavored cream. It’s made from choux pastry dough, so the cake consistency is similar to an éclair.
WHERE TO GO: Brasserie Des Prés on the Left Bank in Saint Germain. Grab some dinner, people watch, then finish your meal with this famous French dessert!
