The Top 13 Paris Croissants of 2024
It’s hard to imagine France without thinking about the croissant, so it’s no surprise that visitors and locals are still reading my all-time most popular blog, “the 2021 Best Croissants in Paris.” After three years, and an admitted hankering for the flaky pastry that can be enjoyed any time of day, I tasted my way through Paris’ boulangeries and cafés to find the best of the best, the very good, and a few that are all the rage right now but that I suggest you skip. While in Paris, I hope you enjoy your croissant tasting as much as I did and that you enjoy my thoughts on the croissants making news today.
1. Georges DOUCET – Maison Doucet – 234, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 7501“HOT”
2. Thierry Rabineau – Boulangerie Moderne, 16 rue des Fossés
“Snaps”
3. Boris Lumé-, 75018
“Chiffon Dress”
4. Victoire DARY – Boulangerie Victoire12 Rue Cadet, 75009 Paris
“Flakey”
5. Mamiche-45 Rue Condorcet, 75009
“Flat”
6. Benjamin Turquier -Tout Autour du Pain-134 Rue de Turenne, 75003
“Inconsistent”
7. Poilâne -38 Rue Debelleyme, 75003
“Sad Ending”
8. Boulangerie Utopie 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
“The Dunker”
9. Jean-Yves Boullier – Le Moulin de la Croix Nivert, 39 rue de la Croix Nivert, 75015
“Sahara”
10. Chez Meunier-various locations
“Butter Bomb”
11. French bastards-various locations
“Ancient”
The Hype:
12. Maison Louvard-Crookie-11 Rue de Châteaudun, 75009 Paris
“Raw”
13. Bo&Mie-NY Roll Exotique- various locations
“Creamy”
1.Georges DOUCET – Maison Doucet – 234, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012
“Hot”
This year France awarded 1st place for the croissant to Maison Doucet, and I couldn't agree more. Kudos to baker Georges Doucet for bringing in the accolades. I knew this one had to be sampled but didn’t realize how hard it would be. It took two visits and a 45-minute wait to get one and I can understand why. I admit they had an unfair advantage selling a hot croissant fresh out of the oven. What’s not to like about that? At first, I thought it was undercooked because of the moist center, but it melted in my mouth without a doughy texture or taste. Extremely flakey, each pinch tore apart to provide tiny mouthfuls of buttery goodness. Maybe a little too buttery but who doesn't like French butter? Even inner layers flake like little pieces of tissue paper proving how light the dough was. In all, I’d say the boulangerie in the 12th is worthy of top honors.
2. Boris Lumé-28 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, France 75018
“Chiffon Dress”
It’s a bit of an effort to get from the city center to Boris Lume, but boy was it worth the trek. The croissant's long shape is different than the Turkish crescent moon traditionally produced, but the color and lamination are alluring, nonetheless. The ridges of each layer are like a chiffon dress on a summer day. I was feeling a little dreamy admiring my conquest. I generally pulled off the tip to start my taste test and found it easily separated from the body of the pastry. I was surprised by the light delicate dough that was neither too buttery nor dense. In short, this was as close to the perfect croissant as I’ve come across. The shop sells very few options since this little jewel proves the star.
3. Thierry Rabineau – Boulangerie Moderne, 16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 75005
“Snaps”
Potato chip flakes of dough easily snap off while still holding its form. This croissant is more than good. Figures that unrealistic Emily in Paris truly does have the best boulangerie, or arguably the second best, croissant at her fingertips. Rabineau won second place in this year's recognized best croissant competition. Around the corner from the Pantheon, it adds to a perfect walk in the 5th Arrondissement. The color consistency from top side to under was well noted and the tear factor was appropriate as it didn’t take off huge sections shortening the experience. I admit, a bit more butter left over on my fingertips, but I can truly say that you can taste the difference.
4. Victoire Dary – 12 Rue Cadet, 75009 Paris
“Flakey”
The Boulangerie is a stone throw away from the trending Crookies that may be an indication of the hip neighborhood of the So-Pi 9th. This croissant tears easily into many layers that are not overly flakey. It was evenly cooked, with no hint of dough in the center and an even color from the top to the bottom. I also found it was not too greasy, though it lacks crunch which is more my preference, even if not authentic. Chef Dary makes a very nice croissant with a mellow taste worthy of top nods.
5. Mamiche-45 Rue Condorcet, 75009
“Flat”
Don’t let looks deceive you, the taste of this croissant is anything but flat! I suspect it’s the butter that weighs down the traditional puffy center, but who can fault a Viennoiserie for that? If the flake factors into your preferences, then this is the one for you. While large in size, it isn’t overwhelming. There is a surprisingly slightly sweet initial taste complimenting the buttery center. It is a moist vehicle of culinary gluttony. This go-to modern hybrid boulangerie has two locations in the trendier parts of town. Be prepared for a line which is worth the wait or get up early to be first at the door before they open.
6. Benjamin Turquier -Tout Autour du Pain-134 Rue de Turenne, 75003
“Uneven”
I was excited to try this 2023 8th place winner for best croissant. I can’t say anything bad about these croissants but at the same time, I can’t say anything great. It’s an average croissant and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a bit on the denser side and the bottom has a slight crunch of darker shell from contact with the warm oven. I liked it but not more than most. It would be a great go-to if you lived locally but no need to hunt it out.
7. Poilâne -38 Rue Debelleyme, 75003
“In the end”
No denying the initial crunch of the exterior of the traditional half-moon-shaped croissant was delightful. The inside was light and fluffy living up to the long-standing excellent reputation. You could easily pull the center out leaving a shell of the pastry that isn’t as buttery holding up to thumb-sized dents and bouncing back to form quickly. Maybe slightly on the dry side making for a great companion to your morning beverage of choice.
8. Boulangerie Utopie 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
“The Dunker”
If you’re a coffee dunker this is the croissant for you. It’s a bit denser than the other contenders thus far making it ideal to hold up to a streaming beverage. It has an almost bready quality lending itself to more of a brioche than a croissant. It is not too heavy on the butter, but the paper bag it comes in begs to differ. While here, be sure to buy the newly awarded 2024 best baguette which will be supplied to the French White House this year!
9. Jean-Yves Boullier – Le Moulin de la Croix Nivert, 39 rue de la Croix Nivert, 75015
“Dichotomy”
Though the taste was outstanding, it almost felt stale when I tore it apart. The croissant was rather hard to pull apart and a bit too moist in the center which didn’t add to the tear part test. I prefer a lighter croissant and was a bit sad because this Boulangerie has won several awards over the years including recognition from the 2024 (number 3) top croissant lists. I wouldn’t be disappointed if this was my neighborhood boulangerie, but after trying better I’m a bit biased. Still worth eating if you are nearby, but it wasn’t as good as I had hoped.
10. Chez Meunier-various locations
“Butter bomb”
From the start, it is so light and flakey that your fingers dent the exterior providing a good crunch that holds up to some chewing. The inside is a different story. Hard to believe, but there is such a thing as too much butter. The inside is a little too moist, giving the croissant an undercooked doughiness. It compresses down to a flat viennoiserie but remains tasty, nonetheless. Kudos to Eric Teboul one of the winners of the 2023 best croissant competition.
11. French bastards-various locations
“Stale”
Maybe it's just the shop name that draws me in, or perhaps the updated versions of some classic Viennoiserie favorites that got my attention. I made a mistake in going early afternoon and I felt it was a little dry, maybe it suffered from not being consumed at breakfast time. With new locations popping up around Paris, I’d recommend you skip the croissant and try one of their other delights.
12. Maison Louvard-Crookie-11 Rue de Châteaudun, 75009 Paris
“Raw”
It's all over social media, and I understand why. The concept is fun, but not as successful as the original croissant hybrid, the Cruffin. I happen to like raw cookie dough, so this concoction was good for me. But it wasn't just the cookie dough that was raw, the interior of the croissant was underdone, making for seriously greasy hands. It's a little too sweet which says something since I have an insatiable sweet tooth. They are being replicated in several other shops around town but be prepared to skip a meal, this gut buster will stick to the bones for quite some time.
13. Bo&Mie-NY Roll Exotique- various locations
“Creamy”
The rightfully self-claimed creative boulangerie is worth the hype though avoid the lines. Plenty of hours where you can walk in but mid-day sandwich options bring out an extra number of admirers. The beautiful NY is alluring standing upright in a temptating manner. But sadly, the cream filling to flakey pastry dough is out of balance. It’s a messy vehicle for the inside cream easily losing the croissant’s essence. Although it’s a miss, there are plenty of other hits making it a great stop on your quest for great treats. I recommend the Paves.
Though they didn’t all get great reviews, the difference between them was so minute that you would never notice unless you tried them side by side. I could have kept going to other worthy croissants acknowledged publicly, but I knew at some point I had to stop. I am convinced that the best croissant is near your lodgings/home. My suggestions are merely my opinion, and your taste may differ. I am sure that you will find your best croissant here, but if you're up for an adventure, choose one of the above and explore a new area. Be sure to ask about other foodie treats when planning your next Paris trip and as your personal concierge, I will make sure that you come out on the winning side of the culinary portion of your trip.