8 Of The Best Bakeries and Pâtisseries In Paris

Smack bang in the middle of the Quatre-Vingts district on the edge of the 12eme arrondissement is where you’ll find Boulangerie Bo. “Boulangerie” glitters in gold above the shop entrance and the beautiful art-deco façade invites curious souls to take a peek at the magic inside. The former Bazin bakery fell into the hands of two friends, Benoit Gindre (the “B” of “Bo”) and Olivier Haustraete (the “O” of “Bo”). The two Frenchmen have respectfully maintained the façade and signature famer’s bread whilst also breathing new life into the baked goods.

Mint green counter tops have peeling paint but together with the old floral tiles on the back wall, the décor gives off a rustic feel. Iron wielded shelves stock crusty loaves and fresh baguettes. Desserts in the display cabinets gleam with gold leaf decorations atop decadent chocolate tarts and eclairs. Meringues are piled high on one side of the store and the mille-feuille look so exquisite that it seems a shame to break the delicate layers. Japanese inspirations run through several of the desserts with flavours including yuzu, green matcha and creamy black tea written in elegant cursive on ingredient cards.

If you find yourself staying in or wandering this area, be sure to check out le marché d’Aligre, the local farmers’ market which is open Tuesday – Sunday. Once you’ve stocked up on sweet treats from Boulangerie Bo or the market, head up to Coulée verte René-Dumont, a disused railway line converted into an aerial linear sky park.

The 11eme and 3eme arrondissement also house some of the better cafés where artisanal quality can thankfully be found at the coffee grinder and the café setting. Read about where to find the best coffee in Paris.