Where to Find the Perfect Croissants in Paris
As dawn breaks in Paris, doughy smells permeate the air, and locals line up at neighborhood boulangeries for freshly baked croissants to enjoy alongside their morning coffee–and as an afternoon goûter, or snack.
These yeast-leavened pastries from Vienna—known there as viennoiseries—reportedly arrived in France in the 18th century when Queen Marie Antoinette, originally from Austria, introduced them to the court. Initially a treat of the aristocracy, the flaky pastry spread to the masses when another Austrian, August Zang, began making them in his Right Bank boulangerie in 1839.
Today, croissants are about as Parisian as it gets. But they’re not all created equal.
The key to a good croissant is its many fine layers, created by repeated flattening and folding with butter. The result is a crisp, golden shell that protects a light, tender interior.
Here’s a list of the best places to bite into the golden classic in the City of Light:
In the trendy Canal St.-Martin quartier, locals cram inside tiny Du Pain et des Idées to scoop up Christophe Vasseur’s award winners, which develop deep flavor in a 24-hour rise before baking.
Across town in St. Germain, devotees flock to Gérard Mulot, where for 38 years the richness of extra butterfat has distinguished the pastries.
For a twist on the classic, head to Pierre Hermé (voted best croissant in Paris by Le Figaro) for an Ispahan croissant filled with rose-flavored almond cream and topped with a rosewater glaze and crispy bits of raspberry from the Haut-Vivarais region.
Want to learn how to make them yourself? La Cuisine Paris offers weekly hands-on classes where, over the course of three hours, you’ll cover each painstaking step that goes into creating these crescent rolls of perfection.
This piece, written by Amy M. Thomas, appeared in the December 2013/January 2014 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest