Food and Drink Andrea González
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Paris: sweetness and light

Marie Antoinette is said to have told the people that if there was no bread, they should eat cake, and the Parisians took her at her word. In the French capital there is a pâtisserie on every corner and something to suit every taste, from those who remain faithful to the classic macaron to those in search of the perfect photograph of edible art. For winter 2025-2026, Iberia has increased its flights between Madrid and Paris to 11 a day. Hop on one of them and join us as we explore the sweetest stops in the French capital, flying from Spain’s capital from 13,000 Avios (return trip).

  1. 1 The oldest: Stohrer

    The Parisian bakery with the longest history is Maison Stohrer. Still at its original location on Rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement, this pâtisserie was founded in 1730 by King Louis XV’s pastry chef. Stohrer opens every day to offer some of the finest cakes in Paris, from raspberry tart to Saint-Honoré, in a small boutique that has been decorated in the style of the Opéra Garnier for three centuries. Its displays are still filled every day with puits d’amour – puff pastries filled with cream or gooseberry jam and topped with caramel – an old recipe perfected by Stohrer with a playful twist: he created them so the king could give them to his lovers at private dinners.

    What to try: Maison Stohrer’s most famous sweet treat is its baba au rhum, a dessert that Nicolas Stohrer himself invented at the court of Louis XV by soaking the typical baba of his Polish origins in, at first, Malaga wine, and, later, sweet rum.

    The best patisseries in Paris. Pictured here is a small cake covered in shiny transparent caramel, topped with candied fruit and the Stohrer emblem.
    One of the delicious baba au rhum, courtesy of Maison Stohrer

  2. 2 A star: Pierre Hermé

    With several locations across Paris, Pierre Hermé is one of the leading figures in contemporary French pâtisserie. Dubbed the “Picasso of pastry” by Vogue, this chef began his career aged just 14 under the guidance of Gaston Lenôtre. Since then, Hermé has literally built an empire out of dough transforming the world of pastry with his elegance and innovative flavour combinations. At 65, he continues to set trends. His latest interest, for example, is vegan pastry, as showcased in his most recent cookbook. His most famous boutique is at 72, rue Bonaparte in the Saint-Germain district, where its windows display irresistible cakes and chocolates.

    What to try: Pierre Hermé is regarded as the king of macarons, the confection that has brought him the revived fame he enjoys today. Meticulous in every detail – even his boxes are collector’s items – the pastry chef has played with recipes to create concepts such as the Ispahan collection, with rose, lychee and raspberry, and the Mogador, with chocolate and passion fruit.

    The best patisseries in Paris. Pictured here are some of the finely decorated premium boxes of macarons made by Pierre Hermé.
    One of Pierre Hermé’s display cases

  3. 3 The most viral: Cédric Grolet

    A social media success, Cédric Grolet is famous for both his personal creations – which he shows step by step on TikTok with enormous mastery – and for the endless reviews that customers from all over the world post every day. His most special treats come from the pâtisserie at Le Meurice, known as the ‘hotel of kings’, just a minute’s walk from the Tuileries Gardens. But it is not the only option, as the pastry chef also has two other establishments that are more informal but equally exquisite. Cédric Grolet Opéra, on the avenue of the same name, specialises in signature cakes and pastries, and Cédric Grolet Café, just around the corner, offers biscuits shaped like pizza and croissants filled with pastry cream. Queues outside Cédric Grolet’s shops have become part of the Parisian landscape, so it is recommended to reserve your treats in advance via the click and collect service.

    What to try: A must is its iconic fruit trompe-l’œil, which changes frequently depending on the fruits available each season. The most iconic are the mango, pistachio and blueberry trompe-l’œil, all with crisp exteriors and soft, luscious interiors.

    The best patisseries in Paris. In the foreground of the image, glass bells display trompe l'oeil flowers.
    Delights by Cédric Grolet at Le Meurice. Photo by Alex Crétey

  4. 4 Some breakfast: Boulangerie Utopie

    On the corner of Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud and Rue du Grand Prieuré in Paris’s 11th arrondissement, the smell of freshly baked pastries fills the air every day. Boulangerie Utopie has become a favourite among locals and tourists, with a selection that changes each week to feature new flavours, announced faithfully on its Instagram profile. Its best-known products are pastry delights, from traditional pain au chocolat to innovative sesame roulés, as well as its sourdough baguettes. However, Utopie’s owners, Erwan and Sébastien – two chefs who forged their friendship during pastry training at culinary school – have been creating other sweets such as hazelnut Sudalhis and introducing what they call ‘travel cakes’ (gâteaux de voyage), treats such as lemon mini-muffins and nut-and-milk-chocolate biscuits.

    What to try: Order their deliciously light croissants, made of sourdough and butter, for which Parisians cheerfully queue.

    The best bakeries in Paris. Pictured here is a tray of freshly baked chocolate-filled croissants.
    The croissants and pain au chocolat from Boulangerie Utopie are among the most famous in Paris.

  5. 5 A classic: Éclair de Génie

    The éclair’s success has been quiet but steady, one of those treats that never fails to delight. Pastry chef Christophe Adam – trained under the aforementioned Pierre Hermé, he spent 15 years as Executive Chef and Creative Director of the iconic Fauchon group – has taken these petits choux, or éclairs, to their highest expression. He first opened at Galeries Lafayette, where he not only delights shoppers with his éclairs in a variety of flavours, but also offers takeaway treats such as his delicious chocolate bars. In recent years, he has opened boutiques at 122 Montmartre and at 95 Champs-Élysées. The first offers a café concept where you can sit down to enjoy a tea or a cup of speciality coffee alongside pastries, savoury lunch options or the chef’s delicate chocolate flowers. The second is designed for those on the go, offering filled crêpes and signature ice creams.

    What to try: The vanilla and pecan éclairs are celebrated everywhere, but a real treat for both the eyes and the palate are the tiramisu-inspired trompe-l’œil pastries, available at the Montmartre café.

    The best patisseries in Paris. Pictured here are éclairs covered in red cream and topped with berries and flower petals.
    Wild berry éclairs, a summer 2025 edition. Photograph by Caffeine Agency.

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