Paris without its bakeries wouldn’t be Paris! But with neighborhood bakeries, palace bakeries, and “Instagrammable” bakeries, it’s not always easy to find truly good artisanal pastries without breaking the bank.
Good news: there are still authentic, local, and affordable spots where you can enjoy a crispy butter croissant for €1.30–€1.50 or a traditional baguette at a friendly price. Here’s our favorite selection, tested and approved by bread lovers and savvy shoppers 👇
🥖 1. Boulangerie Utopie (11th)
📍 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud – M° Oberkampf
One of the best bakeries in Paris, just a 10-minute walk from AIJ. Charcoal bread, pistachio rolls, perfectly flaky croissants… all at reasonable prices despite their popularity.
💸 Croissant: approx. €1.40
🍞 Bonus: their miso bread is incredible
🥐 2. Chez Mamiche (9th and 10th)
📍 32 Rue du Château d’Eau or 45 Rue Condorcet
An artisanally cool bakery, where everything is homemade. The pastries are generous, the brioches ultra soft, and prices remain reasonable despite the popularity.
💸 Croissant: €1.50
🥯 Their chocolate croissant melts in your mouth
🥪 3. Boulangerie L’Essentiel (14th)
📍 2 Rue Brézin – M° Alésia
Discrete, little known to tourists, but loved by locals. The bread is made with organic flours, the pastries are perfect, and the sandwich + dessert combo stays under €7.
💸 Traditional baguette: €1.20
🥗 Great takeout lunch option
🥐 4. Le Grenier à Pain (18th – Montmartre)
📍 38 Rue des Abbesses – M° Abbesses
A winner of numerous best baguette competitions in Paris. Crunchy bread, quality pastries, and honest prices in a highly visited area.
💸 Croissant: €1.30
🥖 Traditional baguette ranked top 3 in 2023
🍞 5. Boulangerie Liberté (Canal Saint-Martin)
📍 39 Rue des Vinaigriers – M° Jacques Bonsergent
A minimalist, modern local spot where everything is prepared on-site with organic flours. Great value for a trendy neighborhood.
💸 Croissant: €1.50
🍞 Excellent seed bread
🥐 6. Maison Pichard (15th)
📍 88 Rue Cambronne – M° Vaugirard
A family of artisans for several generations. Everything is made with love and patience. A true taste of tradition, with no unpleasant price surprises.
💸 Pastries starting at €1.30
🏆 Winner of several best galette awards
🥖 7. Maison Landemaine (multiple locations)
📍 Ex: 26 Rue de la Parisienne, 10th – M° Poissonnière
Good quality, good service, and very consistent with their products. You can grab a pastry, a coffee, and a lunch combo without exceeding your budget.
💸 Croissant: around €1.50
🥗 Salads and homemade sandwiches at reasonable prices
🧭 Near AIJ Paris: our favorites in the 11th
No need to go far to eat well:
- Au Levain du Marais – 32 Rue de Turenne
- Farine&O – 153 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
- Pain Pain (Bastille) – modern, good, affordable
All within a 15-minute walk from the hostel.
🥯 Tips for food on a budget in Paris:
- ✅ Ask for the “tradition” baguette: much better than the classic (and often just a little more expensive)
- ✅ Take advantage of sandwich + drink + dessert deals for under €8
- ✅ Go around 6:30–7:00 PM: some bakeries lower prices at the end of the day
- ✅ Consider the app Too Good To Go to snag unsold goods in the evening at a low price
