The prettiest boulangerie in all of Paris, Du Pain et des Idées is as charming as it is delicious. Look up, and you’ll find an intricately hand-painted glass ceiling that rivals the Sistine Chapel (well, almost). Look down, and behold the most wondrous selection of bread and pastries. A legendary 19th-century bakery with grand gilt mirrors and romantic, belle époque trimmings, this artisan boulangerie is most famous for its escargot: perfect pin-wheels in pistachio and chocolate, praline and rum and raisin. There’s always a line, but in the name of good bread (and Instagram moments), it’s most certainly worth it. dupainetdesidees.com

Acclaimed pastry chef Claire Damon is at the helm of this iconic bakery-slash-patisserie in Paris. A sleek lab devoted to all things bread-y and buttery, Damon is dedicated to small, local producers who proffer organic free-range eggs, almonds from Provence, organic French wheat flour, fresh mountain butter and Noirmoutier salt. Along with classics like perfect sourdough balls, chiffon brioche and quiche, there’s also innovative offerings like Soft Bread with Turmeric, Hazelnuts and Raisins, Fougasse Zaatar and Focaccia with Wild Fennel. desgateauxetdupain.com

In the morning, locals spill out of this unassuming neighbourhood bakery in the 9th, patiently waiting for some of the best bread in Paris. Using natural leaven, the traditional “Miche Mamiche” is a must, along with other heavenly loaves like Pain de Campagne and slabs of Pain de Mie, which tease you from a wooden chopping block in the window. Don’t miss the Frangipane Galette and Orange Blossom Brioche — a decidedly fluffy and delicately scented loaf that deserves to be eaten in one go. mamiche.fr

Tucked into the Latin Quarter, this humble bakery has mastered the art of le croissant, famously winning the Best Croissant in Paris in 2018. Flaky, buttery and well-priced, La Maison d’Isabelle’s classic expression of a croissant is a rite of passage in Paris. They also do crusty baguettes, perfect for a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens.

In France, the words “gluten-free” and “bread” don’t typically co-exist. But a boutique bakery chain in Paris has changed that. A gluten-free-only boulangerie, Chambelland offers a wide variety of breads, cakes, cookies and pastries that are organic and fermented with natural sourdough. Try the rustic Village Bread, a vanilla éclair (yes, even choux pastry has been gluten-free-ified) or The Athlete; a savoury loaf sweetened with hazelnuts, dried figs, apricots and raisins that pairs perfectly with gooey goat cheese straight from the fromagerie. chambelland.com/en

With three locations around Paris, this playful bakery actually has Australian roots. Co-founder and pastry chef Julien Abourmad was working at Sydney’s Kitchen by Mike, where he was affectionately nicknamed “the French bastard”. In 2019, this became the name for Abourmad’s bakery in Paris, a modern boulangerie that pushes the boundaries. While the pain au chocolat is still a favourite, try the Cruffin des Rois, a fun take on the croissant-muffin hybrid Abourmad fell in love with Down Under. thefrenchbastards.fr

It’s all in the name — the bakery a utopia for bread-lovers and pastry-paramours alike. Along with an impressive line-up of sandwiches, baguettes and brioche, this corner store serves up a twist on a French classic: the sourdough croissant. While all the rage in Australia, this bakery is one of the only in Paris that crafts croissants with a sourdough base — and with a honeyed crumb and PDO butter, it’s perfect. boulangerieutopie.com

First opening its doors in 1923, this fabled bakery is a Parisian institution — and, incredibly, still family-run. Baking traditional country bread and golden wheels of wheat sourdough for 100 years, Poilâne’s signature miche is elegantly scored with a cursive “P”. It also offers perfect viennoiseries, pastries and biscuits, including its famous cereal shortbreads, Punitions. So if you’re looking for the best, Poilâne is a bakery par excellence. poilane.com/en

For something a little more modern, try sourdough bakery and coffee shop, Ten Belles. With three hip locations around Paris, Ten Belles is a sustainable and socially-responsible organic sourdough bakery and specialty coffee roaster. With an artisanal approach, you’ll find everything from lovingly baked loaves to stacked sandwiches, and, of course, excellent coffee. tenbelles.com

If you prefer wine with your bread (and who doesn’t?), Levain Le Vin is the place. Part bakery, part wine shop, this unique wine and bread bar in Paris pairs leavened breads with fantastic natural drops, along with a selection of cheese and cold meats. With bread kneaded and baked on site, master of ceremonies Christophe Fertillet is passionate about all things fermentation, bringing together natural sourdoughs and natural wines in a cute, organic setting. You can also grab a Boule Farine and bottle to go. levainlevin.com