The French are known for their architectural approach to pastry, from “thousand-layer” millefeuille whose puff pastry sheets ooze vanilla-scented cream to intricate trompe l’oeils that look like an actual fresh mango and eat like a dream. But while many Paris visitors obey social media “wisdom” and join hours-long queues, sometimes, the very best pastries are hiding in plain sight.
We’ve sussed out not just the luxe pâtisseries worthy of your hard-earned dollars but the classic corner boulangeries serving up phenomenal cakes for the price of a matcha latte. If you’re looking for more creative twists, we’ve got you covered, thanks in large part to a slew of international pastry chefs bringing foreign flavors and techniques to the local pastry landscape. And no, at these spots, you won’t have to line up for an hour for the right to be an extra in some influencer’s TikTok.
Dining and Cooking