Where Parisians Shop for Bread, Cheese, and Chocolate
Shopping Like a Local
Plenty of Parisians simply grab their baguette, cheese, or chocolate from the best spot closest to home. Loyalty often comes down to habit and proximity. That said, the places below are beloved across the city—by locals, not just guidebooks. Even if they’re outside your arrondissement, they’re worth adding to your Paris wanderings. You’ll find flavor, history, and a deeper sense of what makes food here matter.
Where Parisians Shop for Bread That Hits Different
Paris is the uncontested bakery capital of the world, with early-rising bakers bringing fresh bread to every neighborhood before most of us even stretch our legs.
Boulangerie Bo – 85bis Rue de Charenton, 75012 Paris
Boulangerie Bo on Rue de Charenton is known for its artisan breads with perfect crusts and inventive pastries inspired by Japanese flavors. Locals love it for the balance of traditional French baking and creative seasonal treats that make every visit feel special.
Maison d’Isabelle – 47 ter Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
at Marché Maubert, winner of AOP Best Croissant in Île-de-France, draws regulars who time their visits for when the croissants are still warm, avoiding the tourist queues.
Boulangerie Utopie – 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
Is prized for its Montaigu butter sourdough croissants and inventive seasonal breads. Parisians cross town for flavors they won’t find elsewhere, from black sesame to smoked paprika.
Maison Landemaine – 4 Rue du Poteau, 75018 Paris
With multiple locations across Paris, this boulangerie-pâtisserie blends French baking tradition with a modern touch. Locals value it for reliable, well-crafted baguettes and viennoiseries, plus seasonal pastries that make it a solid everyday stop. Its commitment to artisanal methods keeps regulars coming back, whether for a morning croissant or a loaf to take home for dinner.
Land & Monkeys – 28 Rue Ramey, 75018 Paris
Delivers breads and pastries that impress even the butter-loyal crowd. It’s a go-to when friends have mixed dietary needs, and it’s featured in our guide of bakeries for dietary restrictions in Paris.
Where Parisians Shop for Cheese That Opens Minds
France has refined cheesemaking for centuries; in Paris, that means shops where “affineur”—cheese expert—stands for quality at its ripest.
Barthélémy – 51 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
Has been trusted for nearly 50 years. Locals come for the intimate service—Madame Barthélémy herself still works the counter, and her staff remembers not just your favorite cheese, but how ripe you like it.
Laurent Dubois – 47 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
A Meilleur Ouvrier de France, is valued for his meticulous aging process. Parisians trust him for cheeses that are perfectly mature on the exact day they plan to serve them (The Guardian).
Androuet – 23 Rue de la Terrasse, 75017 Paris
Family-run since 1909, blends French classics with rare regional finds, making it a favorite for locals who want both tradition and discovery in one shop.
Quatrehomme – 26 Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris
Draws repeat customers for their seasonal cheese boards that highlight small-producer dairies—many from regions far outside the reach of Paris markets.
Fromagerie de Montmartre – 9 Rue du Poteau, 75018 Paris
On Rue du Poteau is a neighborhood favorite for its selection of raw-milk cheeses and friendly, knowledgeable staff. It’s also one of the stops during our French Market Cooking Class, where you’ll learn how locals choose their cheese before adding it to their cheese platter.
La Fromagerie Cler – 31 rue Cler 75007 Paris
Is known for its friendly, reliable service, and its location makes it a one-stop shop for pairing cheese with the street’s wine and bread vendors.
Where Parisians Shop for Chocolate That Drops Jawlines
À la Mère de Famille – multiple locations
In continuous operation since 1761, is treasured by locals for seasonal confections and nostalgic treats they grew up with .
Patrick Roger – 3 Pl. de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris
This is the go-to for gifting—his sculptural chocolates look like works of art and taste just as good, making them perfect for occasions when presentation matters.
Jean-Charles Rochoux – 16 Rue d’Assas, 75006 Paris
Keeps regulars hooked with his ganache-stuffed fresh fruit and inventive seasonal shapes—special enough for dinner parties but casual enough for an afternoon indulgence.
Debauve & Gallais – 30 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris
Known as the “chocolate of kings,” attracts customers for its historic pistoles—thin discs perfect for serving alongside coffee and steeped in recipes dating back to Marie-Antoinette.
Petite Manufacture Cluizel -201 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
A family-run chocolatier since 1948, Cluizel is prized for its bean-to-bar craftsmanship and single-origin chocolate bars that locals buy both for gifting and for savoring at home.
Whether you start your day with a Mamiche baguette, assemble a picnic with Laurent Dubois cheese, or end with Patrick Roger truffles, you’re tasting Paris as locals do. And if you’re going to taste like a local, start acting like one to have the appreciation of the staff behind the counters. Read up on the unwritten rules of Paris to avoid any awkward missteps.
And if you want to get truly close to living life the French way, bring it into your home kitchen by refining your skills in Paris! Our cooking and baking classes in Paris will have you shopping, tasting, and cooking like a local—without the tourist guesswork.