Are you planning a trip to France? Do you have a sweet tooth? Then you’re going to want to start your day with delicious French pastries!
There is nothing I love more than the amazing pastries in France. The melty goodness of a still-warm pain au chocolat is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Look for a bakery that opens early and has people waiting at the door, and you’ll know you’ve found a good spot!
From the simple perfection of a buttery croissant to pain aux raisins, here are my top ten favorite French pastry types.
Try not to drool on your phone!
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1. Pain au Chocolat
Pain au chocolat is my favorite French breakfast pastry. With a winning combination of flaky, buttery layers and rich chocolate, what’s not to love?
The crisp, flaky exterior hides a soft, pillowy interior with two long pieces of chocolate that peek out from each end.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a pain au chocolat fresh from the oven, with the chocolate still warm and melty.
Pain au chocolat pairs perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate. It’s an ideal choice for a quick breakfast on the go or a leisurely weekend morning.
You can find this pastry in bakeries throughout France and in many other countries. Some places call it a “chocolatine,” especially in southwestern France.
(Need a pain au chocolate fix at home? The frozen pain au chocolat pastries from Trader Joe’s are surprisingly good!)
2. Croissant
The croissant is a beloved French pastry that’s perfect for breakfast. Its flaky, buttery layers and crescent shape make it instantly recognizable.
When you bite into a well-made croissant, you’ll experience a satisfying crunch followed by a soft, airy interior. (And you’ll probably get a few flaky crumbs on your lap.)
To truly appreciate a croissant, try it plain first. This allows you to savor the rich buttery flavor and delicate texture.
If you prefer some added sweetness, spread a bit of jam on your croissant or dip it in hot chocolate.
Look for a croissant with a golden-brown exterior and visible layers. A good croissant should feel light for its size and have a slightly shiny surface from the egg wash.
Avoid getting your croissants at a bakery where they look pale or squished.
Fun fact: Although croissants are associated with France, they were actually invented in Austria!
3. Pain aux Raisins
Pain aux raisins is a delightful French pastry — and my hubby’s favorite. This spiral-shaped treat combines the buttery goodness of croissant dough with plump, sweet raisins.
As you bite into a pain aux raisins, you’ll experience layers of flaky pastry that practically melt in your mouth. The raisins add bursts of natural sweetness throughout, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
You’ll often find these pastries glazed with a light sugar syrup, giving them a subtle sheen and an extra touch of sweetness.
Some bakeries soak their raisins in liquor for extra pizzazz, and our favorite pain aux raisins include a custard layer in the swirls.
Pain aux raisins pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or tea. It’s substantial enough to keep you satisfied until lunchtime, yet light enough to avoid feeling heavy.
Sometimes you’ll find these pastries called ‘escargot aux raisins’ – just look for the spiral pastry!
4. Chausson aux Pommes
You’ll love starting your day with a chausson aux pommes, a delicious French pastry that’s perfect for breakfast.
This crescent-shaped treat is filled with sweet apple compote and wrapped in flaky puff pastry. It’s basically the French version of an apple turnover.
When you bite into a chausson aux pommes, you’ll enjoy a satisfying crunch followed by the soft, warm apple filling. Some bakeries include sugar that turns into a crispy layer on the bottom of the pastry for extra sweetness and crunch.
Sometimes the apple filling is a smooth puree like applesauce, but my favorite versions of this French apple pastry have a chunkier apple filling.
The name “Chausson aux Pommes” translates to “apple slipper” in English, which aptly describes its shape.
5. Croissant aux Amandes
Have you ever tasted a croissant aux amandes? This rich French pastry takes the classic croissant to new heights of indulgence.
This flaky, buttery croissant is filled with a sweet almond paste, topped with sliced almonds, and baked to a golden perfection. With maybe a dusting of powdered sugar for good measure.
The exterior of a croissant aux amandes is crisp and golden, with the sliced almonds adding extra crunch (and creating extra crumbs!). The interior remains soft and tender, with layers of buttery pastry enveloping the sweet almond filling.
The sweet, nutty flavor and satisfying texture of an almond croissant make it a popular choice in French bakeries and cafes.
Some bakeries in France even make croissants with both almonds and chocolate, for an even more decadent start to your day!
6. Bichon au Citron
If you love the tart flavor of lemon curd, then the bichon au citron is perfect for you!
This half-moon-shaped French pastry is a mouth-watering combination of sweet and tart.
The sweetness comes from the puff pastry being rolled in sugar. As a bonus, this layer of sugar creates a crispy caramelized layer on the bottom as it bakes.
The lemon filling provides a delicious bright pop of flavor which is unique amongst the usual lineup of breakfast pastries in France.
Keep your eyes open for these pastries at your favorite French bakery, as they can be a little hard to find!
7. Pain Suisse
Pain Suisse is one of the most decadent French breakfast pastries. And not too surprisingly, it’s one of my favorites (although it’s a bit too rich for the hubby).
This flaky rectangular pastry is made of croissant dough (or brioche dough) that’s been folded over to hide a delectable layer of custardy vanilla pastry cream studded with chocolate chips.
You’ll find variants under different names, from ‘suisse’ to ‘pain suisse’ to ‘pain suisse au chocolat’ and I even found one bakery that called it a ‘pavé chocolat’.
Just look for a rectangular pastry with chocolate chips peeking out from a layer of custard and give it a try!
8. Chouquettes
Chouquettes are delightful little French pastries that make for a perfect breakfast treat. Think of them as the elegant French version of donut holes!
These small, round choux pastries are light, airy, and topped with pearl sugar for a delightful crunch.
You’ll find chouquettes in bakeries across France, often sold by the dozen. They’re incredibly popular as a quick morning snack or a sweet accompaniment to your coffee.
What sets chouquettes apart is their simplicity. Unlike filled choux pastries (such as eclairs), these are hollow inside, allowing you to enjoy the crisp exterior and soft interior without any distractions.
The pearl sugar on top adds a pleasant sweetness and texture contrast. It’s a signature element that makes chouquettes instantly recognizable.
You can easily pop a few of these bite-sized pastries as you head out for a busy day of sightseeing. They’re not messy, making them ideal for on-the-go breakfasts.
If you’re looking for a lighter option among French breakfast pastries, chouquettes are the perfect choice. They satisfy your sweet tooth without being overly rich or heavy.
9. Brioche
Brioche is a luxurious French pastry that’s perfect for starting your day on a sweet note. This rich, buttery bread has a tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor that will tantalize your taste buds.
You’ll find brioche in various shapes, from individual rolls to large loaves. Its golden-brown crust gives way to a deliciously soft, fluffy interior.
What sets brioche apart is its high egg and butter content. This gives it a uniquely rich taste and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist.
For breakfast, try a slice of brioche toasted and spread with jam. You can also use it to make indulgent French toast or simply enjoy it plain with a cup of coffee.
Many French bakeries offer brioche with chocolate chips or fruit mixed into the dough for added flavor. In Lyon bakeries, a specialty is brioche aux pralines, where the sweet bread is studded with bright pink candied almonds. Yum!
10. Oranais
The oranais is a unique and delicious French pastry. It’s immediately recognizable by the two apricot halves that are the star of the show.
The apricots sit at the two ends of the pastry, sitting on top of a base of flaky dough and a delicious layer of pastry cream.
The dough is wrapped across the top to make a tasty cradle for this summery fruit, with a sprinkle of sugar across the top.
You may see them in bakeries labeled as ‘oranais aux abricots’ or ‘abricotine’.
I looked everywhere on my recent trip to France and couldn’t find any of these delicious apricot pastries. My taste buds were disappointed since I really had a hankering for them!
Final Thoughts:
You can probably tell by now just how much I love French pastries!
It’s one of my favorite things about traveling in France, along with visiting famous French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and amazing museums like the Louvre.
(It’s probably the reason my pants seem to shrink during my France vacations. Nah, that can’t be it.)
On your next trip to France, be sure to try some (or all!) of these yummy French pastries. They’re a great way to fuel up for a busy day of sightseeing!
If you love French pastries, you’ll want to save this for later!
Lisa Garrett
Lisa Garrett is the founder of Travel to Lyon.
She has explored Lyon with her husband (Chris) as well as on solo trips to France. She has visited Lyon many times, including a 2-week stay last spring (unseasonally cold for a Phoenix girl!). Whether you’re interested in food, history, or culture, Lisa’s tips will help you plan the perfect trip to Lyon!
Learn more about Lisa!
