Avoid These Mistakes at a Paris Bakery!
Walking into a boulangerie for the first time can bring on a little panic: the case is full, the line is moving, and suddenly it is your turn. In this video we share how to order at a Paris bakery with confidence, from what is in the display to the French words that help, the best times to go and how to pay. We filmed it at Carton Boulangerie near Gare du Nord, for anyone who wants the bakery to be a highlight of their trip.
What you will find in the display
- Viennoiseries: croissants, pains au chocolat, pain suisse, chausson aux pommes and palmiers, eaten for breakfast and as a 4 pm snack.
- Patisseries: the jewel-like desserts and tarts.
- Breads: the classic baguette, the tradition baguette we love, and larger loaves like pain de campagne.
- Lunch items: sandwiches, salads and quiche, often sold as a “formule” with a drink and a dessert.
When to go and how to order
For the freshest viennoiseries, go between 7 and 9 am. From about 11 am to 12:30 you get fresh baguettes and sandwiches, while the lunch rush brings the longest lines. By mid-afternoon many sandwiches are gone, but 3 to 5 pm is a lovely time for a patisserie. Many bakeries close on Mondays, and an artisanal bakery makes everything on site.
Always start with “bonjour”, then “je voudrais…” and “s’il vous plaĆ®t”. Holding up fingers for the number works perfectly. Have your card ready, and remember there is no tipping in a French bakery.
Photos and our lunch at Carton
Bakers are proud of their work and usually happy for you to take pictures, but ask first, as people in France have a right to refuse being photographed. We then ordered the lunch formula, a sandwich, a drink and a sweet, which was about 10 euros when we filmed. If you are catching a train at Gare du Nord, it beats eating inside the station.
To plan more of your trip, our Paris Guide Bundle and our 125 best restaurants in Paris guide gather all our favorites. And to eat your way through the city with a local guide, we recommend the Devour food tour.