There’s something quietly decadent about Paris in the morning—when the streets still glisten from the night’s rain, and the scent of butter drifts from corner boulangeries. For the discerning traveler, this city’s pastry scene is more than a daily ritual—it’s a cultural immersion.

Pierre Hermé

**Ella** *Biscuit au citron à l'huile d'olive, fruits rouges, crème mousseline au citron*

Morning Rituals: A Croissant Worth Crossing Town For

Begin your day in the 10th arrondissement at Du Pain et des Idées. Their pistachio-chocolate escargot is a thing of legend—crisp on the edges, tender at the heart. From there, wander the nearby Canal Saint-Martin, where the water mirrors the soft Parisian light.

For purists, Maison Pichard in the 15th is worth the detour. Their golden croissant, layered and fragrant, is a masterclass in restraint and richness. Locals know it’s a hidden gem—and prefer to keep it that way.

Des Gâteaux et du Pain by Claire Damon

The secret of our pastries? Time and exceptional quality raw materials serving true know-how. Exclusively made in our workshop, our pastries are kneaded, folded, and shaped one by one by hand according to the rules of the art by qualified pastry chefs.
Claire Damon

Golden Hours at the Classics

In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Pierre Hermé treats the croissant as canvas, elevating it with delicate layers of rose and raspberry in the iconic Ispahan. Just north, on Rue Montorgueil, the gilded moldings of Stohrer offer a peek into 18th-century elegance. Their baba au rhum is the kind of dessert that lingers in memory, not just on the palate.

Hidden Femmes and Flavor Queens

In a quiet stretch of the 15th, Des Gâteaux et du Pain by Claire Damon exudes seasonal sophistication. Her fruit tarts—structured, fragrant, and impossibly refined—sing of Paris in bloom. It's modern femininity rendered in pâte sucrée.

Modern Marvels

If classicism whispers, Yann Couvreur and Philippe Conticini speak in bold, architectural bites. Their boutiques are aesthetic playgrounds, where vanilla millefeuille and citrus cream domes are both edible and editorial. The fox emblem of Couvreur is quickly becoming the mark of new-guard pâtisserie.

The Café Gourmand Interlude

And then there’s the café gourmand—a quintessentially French pause between appetite and afternoon. At Carette, near the Place des Vosges, an espresso arrives with a still life of petite sweets: tarts, mousses, and mini madeleines. Le Comptoir du Relais offers a hushed, wood-paneled version, while Café Constant and La Fontaine de Mars bring the ritual to earth with bistro charm.

For timeless glamour, nothing quite compares to Café de Flore, where the silver tray, the lipstick-stained cup, and the passerby symphony all play their part.

Final Notes

Paris isn’t a place you simply see—it’s a place you savor. In every slice of tart, every flake of croissant, there’s a story told softly, sweetly. Let your clients linger. Let them taste the city in chapters.

Bon appétit,
Hideaway Traveler

TOP PARIS PASTRY SHOPS

Pierre Hermé Accueil | Pierre Hermé Paris

Des Gâteaux et du Pain Des Gâteaux et du Pain, pâtisserie et boulangerie à Paris

Pain Pain PAINPAIN – Boulangerie – Sandwicherie

Stohrer https://stohrer.fr

Yann Couvreur Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie

Du Pain et des Idées Boulangerie fine Fabrication traditionnelle - Du Pain et Des Idées

Philippe Conticin Philippe Conticini

CAFÉ GOURMAND DESTINATIONS

Café de Flore Café de Flore

La Fontaine de Mars La Fontaine de Mars