Did you ever wonder why éclairs are called that? … We’ll tell you anyway: Éclair means lightning bolt in French. And these sausage-shaped pastry perfections got their name because they are so very tasty and so very easy to hold in your bare hands that you can eat a whole one (almost) faster than lightning strikes. Voilà.
L’éclair de Génie
From the name, it’s clear that this place specializes in one thing and one thing only: éclairs. From the classic to the designer (just like the French), you’ll be sure to find one with just the right filling to tickle your tastebuds. Going there during the summer time? Get yourself one of their revered frozen éclair popsicles.
ADDRESS: 14 Rue Pavée (4th arr.)
MÉTRO: Hôtel de Ville (line 1)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Le Marais
NUMBER: +33 1 42 77 86 37
INSTAGRAM: @leclairdegenieofficiel
Boulangerie Utopie
Here lies the creation. If you’re seeking that perfectly sculpted patisserie, this bakery has you covered. From raspberry to chocolate éclairs, it is no wonder this place is included in several « best bakeries of Paris ». If you don’t mind the queue (like mentioned previously, it’s popular), this place is a must.
ADDRESS: 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Oberkampf (line 9)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf
NUMBER: +33 9 82 50 74 48
INSTAGRAM: @boulangerieutopie
Carl Marletti
Conveniently located in the Latin Quarter, this bakery will definitely satisfy that pastryvore in you. Here’s an example: a chocolate éclair with chocolate filling and nuts running down the side for that crunch factor. Not yet convinced? Ok…here’s another one: a pistachio-filled éclair with pistachio bits covering the entire pastry. Imagine that crunch.
ADDRESS: 51 Rue Censier, (5th arr.)
MÉTRO: Censier-Daubenton (line 7)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Latin Quarter
NUMBER: +33 1 43 31 68 12
INSTAGRAM: @carlmarletti
Jeffrey Cagnes
When this renowned pastry chef finally opened up his own bakery in late 2021, people went berserk (which is unsurprising given he allegedly and single-handedly revived one of the oldest bakeries in Paris, Stohrer). As soon as you enter this little bakery, you find yourself in the middle of pastries and baked goods. If you want to taste an éclair in a bakery which is known by the local foodies, this is the place.
ADDRESS: 24 Rue des Moines, (17th arr.)
MÉTRO: Brochant (line 13)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Batignolles
NUMBER: +33 1 42 74 10 68
INSTAGRAM: @jeffreycagnes
Le Petit Grain
If you’re super careful about what you put in your body (no preservatives, low sugar, wanna-read-all-the-ingredients type of person), welcome to dessert heaven. The famous Le Grand Bain party spot opened up a bakery dedicated to quality, low waste, and affordability (or so they claim). Either way, their éclairs, along with a number of their other pastry creations, are baked using natural leavenings and organic flour.
ADDRESS: 7 Rue Denoyez, (20th arr.)
MÉTRO: Belleville (line 2)
HOURS: Closed on Monday and Tuesday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Belleville
NUMBER: +33 6 34 05 20 28
INSTAGRAM: @lepetitgrainparis
Maison Pradier
This traditional Parisian bakery has been winning awards régulièrement since 1859. It’s one of those old bakeries which you just need to go to if you want to feel that ‘authentic Parisian’ vibe.
ADDRESS: 107–109 Rue Saint-Lazare, (9th arr.)
MÉTRO: Saint-Lazare (line 13)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lafayette
NUMBER: +33 1 83 79 98 89
INSTAGRAM: @maisonpradier
Pain Pain
Chic and classic French. That’s all you need to know. Oh…and authentic. No crazy over-the-top flavors. No gimmicks. No disappointment. Grab your well-deserved éclair and make your way to the top of Sacré-Cœur for that Parisian cherry on top (if you haven’t already eaten it on the way up — remember why they’re called éclairs? Like with other crazy-popular places, don’t get put off by the waiting line. It’s worth it…very much so.
ADDRESS: 88 R. des Martyrs, (18th arr.)
MÉTRO: Pigalle (line 2)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Montmartre
NUMBER: +33 1 42 23 62 81
INSTAGRAM: @painpain_paris
Sadaharu Aoki
This is what it would look like if a French patisserie had a baby with Japanese ingredients. Aoki is a Japanese pastry chef whose style is defined by his minimalistic style paired with extremely strict French pastry techniques. From green tea macarons to matcha croissants and black sesame éclairs; it’s like landing in an alternate universe.
ADDRESS: 35 Rue de Vaugirard, (16th arr.)
MÉTRO: Rennes (line 12)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Jardin du Luxembourg
NUMBER: +33 1 45 44 48 90
INSTAGRAM: @sadaharu_aoki
Sain Boulangerie
Once you get there, you might get lucky and spot a pastry chef walking out of a building with freshly baked goods and walk into this quaint shop. It’s small, very small. So people walk in and out with trays and trays of baked delights, which can only be described as ‘I feel like I’m in the hustle and bustle of the kitchen from the movie Ratatouille and I’ve never felt more like I’m in the heart of Paris’. Also, it’s one of those bakeries that local Parisians go to as part of their daily routine.
ADDRESS: 13 Rue Alibert, (10th arr.)
MÉTRO: Goncourt (line 11)
HOURS: Closed on Monday
NEIGHBORHOOD: Canal St. Martin
NUMBER: +33 7 61 23 49 44
INSTAGRAM: @sain_boulangerie
Stohrer
This place holds the title for the oldest bakery in Paris. Opened in 1730, they are still considered one of the best places to go get that French pastry that you’ve always wanted to try. You know those éclairs and macarons that you dream about? They look extremely similar to the ones you find at Stohrer. If you don’t mind the elevated price (a quick reminder that you are in Paris and that in itself comes with a price), then this small bakery won’t disappoint, as it’s also very old-Paris pretty inside.
ADDRESS: 51 Rue Montorgueil, (2nd arr.)
MÉTRO: Étienne Marcel (line 4) or Sentier (line 3)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Les Halles
NUMBER: +33 1 42 33 38 20
INSTAGRAM: @stohrer
