Award-winning Bakery Du Pain et des Idée

Du Pain et des Idée: L'escargot chocolat pistache

Du Pain et des Idées is touted by many, including David Lebovitz, as one of the best boulangeries in Paris.  Winner of the 2008 Gault Millau award for the best baker in Paris, owner Christophe Vasseur is known for his pain des amis, which are giant, flat, crusty loaves of bread.  The bakery is also known for its innovative and delicious pastries, such as the matcha tea croissant and escargot pastries.  Escargot pastries are named for their spiral shape, not for the presence of any escargot snails.

Du Pain et des Idée: Pain Au Chocolat

We tried a chocolate pistachio escargot and a pain au chocolate.  Both were amazing: a gradient of golden browns, balanced sweet flakiness, and quality chocolate filling.  The l'escargot was like a blend between a palmier and a croissant.  The edges were nicely caramelized but not as stiff as a palmier.  The pain au chocolat had unusually thick, distinct layers of pastry dough which gave it crispier edges to contrast with the soft buttery interior.  This was my favorite pain au chocolat on our trip!

Award-winning Paris Bakery

Located in the 10th arrondissement, Du Pain et des Idée may be a bit out of the way for those staying in central Paris.  It's definitely worth the detour though and I wish we had time to go more than once.  If you're planning to take any day trips by train that depart from Gare du Nord, make plans to stop by Du Pain et des Idée since it's only a 15 minute walk away.  The Canal Saint-Martin is also close by the bakery and would be a good place to stroll and enjoy your pastries.

Du Pain et des Idée
34 rue Yves Toudic 

75010 Paris
Tel: 01.42.40.44.52
Open Mon-Fri, 6:45am-8pm