Bakery goods in Paris Region

In France, baking practices developed significantly with, in particular, the introduction of the iconic ‘baguette’, which has become a symbol of French culture.

The story behind the typical French stick is buried amid all sorts of fun facts and theories, but the truth is, we still don’t know its exact origins. There is a legend, however, that claims it was invented in the depths of the Paris metro. In the 1900s, on the metro construction site, it didn’t take much to cause a dispute between the workers. To avoid their quarrels ending in violence, worksite managers asked local bakers to create a loaf of bread that didn’t need to be sliced with a knife. And that’s how the baguette was born.

As the very symbol of our country in the eyes of foreign visitors, the baguette, and French bread in general, command a veritable savoir-faire. At any time of day, you can pop into a bakery or patisserie to buy a freshly-baked loaf or a crusty French stick. More importantly, you can succumb to the temptation of breaking off one end of the baguette to eat on the way home.

There’s a whole art to bakery goods in Paris Region. Bakeries continue to pop up all over the city. From traditional wheat-flour loaves to sourdough bread and from classic pastries to high-end patisserie, you won’t want to leave a single crumb.

Figures sometimes speak louder than words. Did you know that there are some 6,000 bakeries in Paris Region? So there’s no risk of finding yourself in ‘knead’ when your nearest bakery closes down. Nor is there any likelihood of visiting them all, but if you do fancy embarking on a Paris Region bread tour, you won’t be disappointed.

And each of these 6,000 bakeries inevitably does its own bread, cake and pastry creations for you to explore.

It has the feel of Paris in the olden days, complete with the delicious aroma of hot bread straight from the oven. The period wood panelling, gilt decoration, chandeliers and mouldings plunge you into the Paris of the 1850s. Virtually nothing has changed since this bakery first opened. Except the baker himself! Christian Vabret, winner of the ‘best baker in France’ award, can be found juggling his loaves at the legendary bakery Au Petit Versailles du Marais. You’ll be spoilt for choice between the granary loaves, sourdough bread, traditional baguettes and delicious cakes and pastries.

You may have heard it said that a baker and a pâtissier are two completely different things. Well, that isn’t true here. Cakes and pastries in Paris Region are indeed a speciality in their own right, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find them in most bakery shop windows.

Daily life on the streets of every arrondissement and every town and village is brightened by mouthwatering arrays of tempting pastries, be they chocolate eclairs from Laderach, doughnuts from Krispy Kreme or any other sweet delights. Paris Region’s passion for patisserie has also driven a new trend in cafés and bakeries that combine tradition and innovation, like the Maison Louis Vuitton for a start.

Take the time to enjoy brunch on the terrace or in the hidden café of an ancient district, where words like ‘discovery’ and *temptation’ take on a whole new meaning.

Then head for Les Halles or, in the neighbouring arrondissement, the Mousse de Natoo tea room. Natoo is a Parisian influencer who invites you to try a novel experience at her café and hair salon rolled into one. Here, you can sample a Natoo sauce pastry and get a haircut or blow-dry into the bargain.

Paris Region has some of those bakeries that are so amazing you want to shout it on the rooftops. Some of them are heaven for foodies with a big appetite. Others are more in the realm of fine dining. One thing’s for sure, there are bakery goods galore in Paris Region. On a café terrace, in a bar or at home, any time is the right time to enjoy something from the bakery.

At Louis Vuitton, the world of luxury also includes delights from the bakery, or patisserie to be more precise. In this café, the chef Maxime Frédéric adds a Vuitton twist to his revisited classics of French patisserie. The lemon meringue tart decorated with the luxury brand’s famous checked pattern, the pear charlotte, the marble cake, the chocolate eclairs and the array of entremets are decidedly sophistication itself.

Now let’s try something a little more fattening. The iconic Krispy Kreme doughnut has crossed the Atlantic and made its way to Paris. Representing the American dream right here in the heart of the capital, these soft, round sweet treats come in a variety of flavours and toppings. They’re taking Paris Region by storm, leaving a pleasant sensation on your tastebuds and traces of sugar on your fingers. The ultimate guilty pleasure!

Tucked away in the 10th arrondissement of Paris is a bakery, Du Pain et des Idées, that embodies the very essence of French baking tradition. This bakery run by Christophe Vasseur, where the emphasis is on high quality and traditional savoir-faire, has become something of a reference in the world of bread, cakes and pastries.

Paris Region is packed with bakeries where you can buy bread of excellent quality every morning. L’Essentiel is a perfect example. This brand has 5 bakeries across Paris Region and has won three awards, for the best organic bread in Paris in 2019, the second-best traditional baguette and the best bakery in Île-de-France in 2022. Be it the bread, cakes or pastries, everything here is lovingly made in-house. The ever-present watchwords are traditional expertise, a passion for food and service with a smile.

Or is it brunch that takes the bakery approach? Either way, nobody can deny that brunch and bakery products go hand in hand! The chef at B.O.U.L.O.M has got it all worked out. Julien Duboué invites you to come and brunch in the hidden backroom of his bakery. You’ll get to choose your bread and pastries fresh from the oven. Take your pick from the mouthwatering lemon meringue tart, chocolate mousse, brioche and crêpe Suzette. These are of course, all baked on the premises in the traditional ovens.

Not only that, you can eat as much as you want! But there are plenty of other places as well. You’ll find bakery goods galore in the best brunches of Paris Region.