Du Pain et des Idées

One of Paris's most beloved bakeries, a jewel-box 1870s shop near Canal Saint-Martin famous for its pistachio-chocolate escargot pastry and pain des amis. A friend absolutely sends you here. Two catches: it's closed weekends and the best things sell out by late morning.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Will there be a line?

Usually a short one, especially mid-morning, but it moves quickly. It's popular but not a two-hour tourist queue. Off-peak weekday mornings are smoothest.

Do they speak English?

Enough to serve you, but a bonjour and pointing works fine. It's a small, busy shop, so know roughly what you want before you reach the counter.

Is there seating or is it takeaway?

It's primarily a takeaway bakery with a tiny footprint. Grab your pastries and eat them on a bench along the nearby Canal Saint-Martin, which is the classic move.

What's the must-order?

The escargot pastry, a flaky spiral in flavors like pistachio-chocolate, and the pain des amis, their signature rustic loaf. Grab a chausson aux pommes too if they have it. Honestly, it's hard to go wrong.

Is it expensive?

For world-class pastry, it's very fair. You're paying normal boulangerie prices, a few euros per item, for some of the best baking in the city. Excellent value.

When do things sell out?

The showstoppers, especially the escargots, often disappear by late morning. Come before 11:00 for the full selection; by mid-afternoon the case can look picked-over.

Is it worth going out of my way for?

If you love bread and pastry, yes, it's a genuine destination bakery. If you just need a quick croissant, any good local boulangerie will do and save you the trip.

What days is it open?

Weekdays only, Monday through Friday. It's closed Saturday and Sunday, which trips up a lot of visitors, so plan a weekday stop.

Nearby in Ask Paris

• BUDDY BUDDY · Nut Butter Coffee BarCafé0.16 km · 2 min walk
• Le Comptoir GénéralBar0.31 km · 4 min walk
• Canal Saint-MartinNeighborhood0.35 km · 4 min walk
• Bouillon RépubliqueRestaurant0.49 km · 6 min walk
• Little Red DoorBar0.75 km · 9 min walk