A good Paris croissant is all about contrast: a crisp, flaky shell, a soft and airy interior, clear butter aroma without greasiness, and just enough salt so it doesn’t taste flat. This page gathers some of the best croissants in Paris today — starting with two bakeries that have actually won official “best croissant” competitions — so you can spend more time tasting and less time guessing.
The croissants you shouldn’t miss
Maison Doucet – 12ᵉ arrondissement
In 2024, Maison Doucet, a family bakery on rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 12ᵉ, won first place in the Grand Paris competition for the best butter croissant.
The winning croissant is everything you hope for in a classic Paris croissant: a deep golden color, elegant curve, fine and regular layers, and a soft interior that stays light rather than heavy. It’s generous without feeling too rich, and the butter flavor is present but balanced.
- Address: 234 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris
- Nearest métro: Faidherbe–Chaligny (Line 8)
- Croissant style: classic au beurre, well-laminated, with a slightly darker bake and a clean, buttery finish
- Best time to go: morning, ideally before 10:00 — they are at their crispest then, and it’s less busy on weekdays
- Good for: breakfast on the way to or from Gare de Lyon, or as a stop on a walk through the 11ᵉ/12ᵉ border streets
If you want to taste an official “best croissant in Paris 2024”, this is the place to put on your list.
Chez Meunier (Crimée) – 19ᵉ arrondissement
In 2023, Chez Meunier, at 185 rue de Crimée in the 19ᵉ, won the Grand Paris competition for the meilleur croissant au beurre, earning the title of best croissant in Paris that year.
This croissant is slightly more rustic in look than some “jewellery box” pâtisseries, but the craft is clear: a curved shape, glossy surface, very flaky shell, and an interior that shows long, even strands of dough. The butter is expressive without being overwhelming, and there’s a gentle savoriness that makes it easy to eat without jam.
- Address: 185 rue de Crimée, 75019 Paris
- Nearest métro: Crimée (Line 7)
- Croissant style: very flaky crust, nicely aerated interior, pronounced butter and a touch of salt
- Best time to go: early — from opening until around 9:30, especially on weekends when locals and croissant hunters line up
- Good for: a breakfast stop before exploring the Canal de l’Ourcq, Parc de la Villette or a walk through the 19ᵉ
If you enjoy comparing styles, try Maison Doucet and Chez Meunier on different mornings: both are official winners, but they express the “perfect croissant” in slightly different ways.
More excellent croissants in Paris
La Maison d’Isabelle – 5ᵉ arrondissement
La Maison d’Isabelle, on boulevard Saint-Germain near Maubert–Mutualité, is one of the most famous croissant spots on the Left Bank. Its all-butter croissant won first prize for best croissant in Paris / Île-de-France in 2018, using AOP Pamplie butter and largely organic ingredients.
The croissant here is generous, deeply golden and very flaky, with a strong but clean butter flavor. It’s the kind of place where queues form early, but the line moves fast and the reward is a warm croissant often straight from the oven.
- Address: 47 ter boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
- Nearest métro: Maubert–Mutualité (Line 10)
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 6:00–20:00, Sunday 6:00–15:00, closed Monday
- Croissant style: very buttery, deeply colored, extremely flaky crust with a soft, slightly chewy interior
- Best time to go: early morning, ideally before 9:00, especially on weekends when the queue is longer but well managed
- Good for: a classic, award-winning croissant before exploring the Latin Quarter, the Sorbonne or a walk toward Notre-Dame
Carton – 10ᵉ arrondissement (Gare du Nord)
Right by Gare du Nord, Maison Carton (often called simply “Carton”) has become a reference for butter croissants in Paris. Their croissants have won several distinctions, including a 1st prize at the Grand Paris “Meilleur Croissant au Beurre” competition in 2024, and their butter croissant was already crowned Best Croissant of Île-de-France in 2022.
The style here is rich and very flaky: a strong butter aroma, a nicely browned exterior and a soft, honeycombed interior. Because it’s right next to a major station, you’ll often find a mix of locals and travellers grabbing croissants to eat on the go.
- Address: 6 boulevard de Denain, 75010 Paris
- Nearest métro / RER: Gare du Nord (Lines 4, 5, RER B/D)
- Croissant style: very buttery, deeply golden, crisp shell with a light, airy crumb
- Best time to go: morning or late morning before catching a train; expect some queue at peak hours
- Good for: anyone arriving or leaving via Gare du Nord who wants a serious croissant without detouring across the city
Boulangerie Victoire – 9ᵉ arrondissement
In the 9ᵉ, close to rue Cadet, Boulangerie Victoire combines organic sourdough breads with excellent viennoiseries — and its croissant has been officially recognized. In the 2024 Grand Paris best butter croissant competition, Victoire took 2nd place in the professional category, just behind Maison Doucet, and the bakery highlights its status as 2nd best croissant in Paris and France on its own channels.
The croissant here leans slightly towards a “baker’s croissant”: well-fermented dough, precise lamination, and a balance between crisp exterior and fondant interior. It’s a great option if you’re staying around Grands Boulevards or exploring this central neighborhood.
- Address: 12 rue Cadet, 75009 Paris
- Nearest métro: Cadet (Line 7)
- Croissant style: elegant, well-laminated croissant with a clean butter taste and soft, melting crumb
- Best time to go: morning on weekdays or early on weekends; later in the day there’s still good turnover thanks to local regulars
- Good for: combining a croissant stop with a walk through the 9ᵉ (Grands Boulevards, Opéra, covered passages)
Croissant FAQ for Paris visitors
How much does a good croissant cost in Paris?
In most artisan bakeries, a plain croissant costs roughly 1.20€ to 2.20€, depending on the neighborhood and the bakery’s positioning. Competition-winning bakeries like Maison Doucet have been noted around 1.35€ for their award-winning croissant, which is still very reasonable for the quality.
Is it better to buy croissants in bakeries or cafés?
For the best quality, buy your croissant in a boulangerie–pâtisserie, ideally one that bakes on site. Many cafés reheat industrial croissants. A common Paris strategy is:
- Buy your croissant at a good bakery
- Take it to a nearby café for coffee (especially on terraces where this is usually tolerated)
What’s the difference between a croissant and a “croissant au beurre”?
Traditionally, “croissant au beurre” meant a croissant made with butter, while “croissant ordinaire” used other fats. These days, in most quality Paris bakeries — especially those competing in butter-based contests — the plain croissant is already made with butter, and competitions explicitly require AOP butter.
So if you’re in a serious artisan bakery, you can safely assume the classic croissant is butter-based, even if the label doesn’t spell it out.