Paris: Boulangeries
First things first…
Why I think chasing down the “best” boulangerie is a ridiculous quest:
Because there are so many!
One of my absolute pro tips for any service-type establishment is to look for relatively high reviews with relatively low ratings. For example, a bakery with 157 reviews and a 4.8 rating that's down the street from you is going to be a safe bet -- no need to trek across town to a bakery with 3,000 reviews and a 4.2 rating.
There are many contests for boulangeries (best boulangerie, best baguette, etc.) and winners will proudly display decals in their window. Even if they won a contest in 2006, or 2017, it's probably a great spot.
In short, there are myriad boulangeries out there, so while you CAN try to hunt down the best [insert favorite pastry here], you don't NEED to. Especially if you're short on time, or not overly picky, just go with your bustling neighborhood spot, like the locals do :)
Paris laws & customs:
Two main things to mention here.
1. The reason there are so many bakeries is because there is actually a law about the ratio of boulangeries to people! I'm trying to find the exact first-hand source of this, but multiple French friends have told me this!
2. It is not customary to eat in public in France while walking around. (Sitting on park benches and eating is OK; picnics in the grass are OK.) The one exception to this - because, you know, the French love their exceptions - is a fresh baguette. When you get a baguette, you are not only permitted - but essentially obligated! - to tear off the tip of it and eat it on the go. Just to test it :). You should not have a completely intact baguette by the time you arrive home.
💎 Gems 🥖
➡️ Parisian Mini-Chains
Bonus
Technically not a boulangerie, but this is a good spot to know about.
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I’d be so grateful if you...
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Paris: Boulangeries
First things first…
Why I think chasing down the “best” boulangerie is a ridiculous quest:
Because there are so many!
One of my absolute pro tips for any service-type establishment is to look for relatively high reviews with relatively low ratings. For example, a bakery with 157 reviews and a 4.8 rating that's down the street from you is going to be a safe bet -- no need to trek across town to a bakery with 3,000 reviews and a 4.2 rating.
There are many contests for boulangeries (best boulangerie, best baguette, etc.) and winners will proudly display decals in their window. Even if they won a contest in 2006, or 2017, it's probably a great spot.
In short, there are myriad boulangeries out there, so while you CAN try to hunt down the best [insert favorite pastry here], you don't NEED to. Especially if you're short on time, or not overly picky, just go with your bustling neighborhood spot, like the locals do :)
Paris laws & customs:
Two main things to mention here.
1. The reason there are so many bakeries is because there is actually a law about the ratio of boulangeries to people! I'm trying to find the exact first-hand source of this, but multiple French friends have told me this!
2. It is not customary to eat in public in France while walking around. (Sitting on park benches and eating is OK; picnics in the grass are OK.) The one exception to this - because, you know, the French love their exceptions - is a fresh baguette. When you get a baguette, you are not only permitted - but essentially obligated! - to tear off the tip of it and eat it on the go. Just to test it :). You should not have a completely intact baguette by the time you arrive home.
💎 Gems 🥖
➡️ Parisian Mini-Chains
Bonus
Technically not a boulangerie, but this is a good spot to know about.
Enjoy this guide?
I’d be so grateful if you...
🔐 SAVED this guide
📨 SHARED this guide with a friend
💚 CONTRIBUTED a small tip