5 Best Boulangeries in Lyon: Where to Find the Best French Pastries

If there’s one thing I never skip when I’m in Lyon, it’s a trip to the boulangerie. French pastries are one of my favorite parts of traveling, and Lyon has some fantastic bakeries to explore.

I’ve visited Lyon many times, and on each trip I make a point of trying a few more boulangeries. I’m mostly on the hunt for viennoiserie—those buttery, flaky breakfast pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat—but I’m certainly not opposed to sampling a few desserts along the way!

Here are five of my favorite boulangeries in Lyon, based on my own visits and, naturally, plenty of pastry research. I’ve also included a bonus pâtisserie for when you’re craving something a little more decadent.

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1. Boulangerie Saint Paul

I discovered Boulangerie Saint Paul on my most recent visit to Lyon. It was just a few minutes from my Airbnb and had amazing reviews.

My favorite pastry was their pain au raisin, which is massive. While it didn’t have much custard (which I love in a pain au raisin), it did have plenty of liquor-soaked raisins and was an excellent value.

Their baguettes were also delicious, and it was the first time I’ve been asked what kind of baguette I wanted. I’m sure I looked baffled at the question, since I had requested a ‘baguette tradition’.

Boulangerie Saint Paul offers baguettes in different ‘doneness’ levels, so you can choose your baguette on the pale side or extra-dark.

This is one of my favorite Lyon bakeries, and one of the best places to eat in Vieux Lyon. It’s right next to the Saint-Paul train station.

Not sure what to order? Check out my guide to the best French breakfast pastries for some of my favorite French treats and what to look for at the boulangerie.

2. Boulangerie du Palais

On our first trip to Lyon, Chris and I stayed in an apartment just a block away from the Boulangerie du Palais.

We stayed in Lyon for three days, and each day we came here for our breakfast pastries. We loved everything we tried, from pain au chocolat to almond croissants to an incredible lemon pastry.

This is the most popular bakery in Lyon, and there is almost always a line out the door. But don’t let that discourage you! The line moves quickly, and you’ll probably need a minute to decide, anyway!

Boulangerie du Palais also offers grab-and-go food (think pizza and sandwiches) if you need a quick bite for lunch.

If you’re seeing the sights in Vieux Lyon, you’re almost guaranteed to pass by this bakery at least once!

3. Bakery Albon

Last year, I stayed at the Grand Hôtel des Terreaux in the heart of Lyon. Rather than walk to Vieux Lyon for my breakfast, I decided to try something closer.

Bakery Albon was just a three-minute walk from my hotel. The pastries were mouthwatering, and I ended up getting breakfast from this amazing bakery every day.

If it’s a nice day, you can grab a bench at the plaza to the west and enjoy an al fresco breakfast, or walk a little further to the banks of the Saône.

On my most recent trip, I enjoyed several desserts from Bakery Albon including a delicious lemon curd tartlet and the decadent Tarte Tropezienne pictured above.

Whether you’re looking for a yummy breakfast pastry or a sweet treat to top off your dinner, Bakery Albon won’t disappoint! The service is also top-notch.

(It’s sooooo hard to choose a favorite! If pressed, I’d say Bakery Albon is a top contender for best bakery in Lyon. But I haven’t completed my research yet. 😉)

4. Boulangerie Les Frères Barioz

On my last trip, I split my visit. The first week was in Vieux Lyon, and for the second week I stayed near the Parc de la Tête d’Or.

In this area of Lyon, I discovered Boulangerie Les Frères Barioz.

Their specialty is puff pastry, and they make everything in-house. You know they’re serious about quality, since they won an award for ‘best croissant in Rhône 2021’!

I loved their flaky pain au chocolat! (They came in second for their pain au chocolat.) If you’re lucky, you can get one still warm from the oven with lovely melty chocolate.

The brioche praline, made with Lyon’s iconic praline rose candy, is another great choice to start your day.

If you’re staying in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon, don’t miss this bakery!

5. Pralus: Home of the famous Praluline

Pralus is one of the big-name sweet shops in Lyon, and you’ll find many outlets as you explore the city.

They’re not the same kind of bakery as the others on the list, but they have one must-eat pastry: the dazzling Praluline.

This signature sweet bread was invented by Auguste Pralus back in 1955. It’s a brioche dough studded with the praline rose candies.

The brioche aux pralines at Pralus are enormous — certainly big enough for several people to share! Enjoy it for breakfast or bring it home as a Lyon souvenir to share with your friends.

If you’re not a fan of nuts, try the brioche with chocolate chips. You can also choose from an array of macarons or an assortment of fine chocolate bars.

Bonus: Les Éclaireurs Pâtissiers

Looking for an Instagram-worthy, mouthwatering dessert that’s almost too pretty to eat? Look no further than Les Éclaireurs.

(This is a Lyon pâtisserie, not a Lyon boulangerie — that’s why it’s in the bonus section!)

I visited their location on Rue de Brest, in the Presqu’île neighborhood of Lyon. The eclairs here are a little bit of a splurge, but they’re worth it.

Les Éclaireurs offer a selection of sweet and savory eclairs. But by now you should guess that I went with a ‘sweet’ option — the passionfruit eclair.

The eclair was absolutely delicious, and I savored every bite! There are several layers within the eclair, with some crunchy bits for texture.

I was tempted by the salted butter caramel, but I thought that might be a bit too rich. The passion eclair was light, fruity, and perfect.

Final Thoughts:

If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t have any trouble finding something delicious in Lyon. And honestly, one of my favorite Lyon rituals is simply stopping at a boulangerie in the morning, choosing a pastry that looks irresistible, and enjoying it with a coffee before heading out for the day.

Don’t feel like you have to visit all five of these bakeries. Pick one that’s convenient to where you’re staying or sightseeing, and see what catches your eye. And if you’re staying in Lyon for several days, you can always make it a little pastry challenge and try a different boulangerie each morning. (That’s basically my approach!)

If you’re still deciding what to order, my guide to the best French breakfast pastries will give you plenty of ideas. And if you’re ready to explore more of Lyon’s food scene, check out my guide to the best Lyon food tours or discover some of my favorite Vieux Lyon restaurants.

Of course, there’s much more to Lyon than its bakeries. My guide to the best things to do in Lyon is a great place to start planning the rest of your visit. And if you’re planning your trip around food, don’t miss my guide to the best Lyon foods and dishes you should try while you’re here.

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