Battle of the French Bakeries: Most Authentic Parisian Croissant

It’s easy to indulge in the buttery, flaky goodness of a croissant in Paris. You can find delicious croissants on almost every corner. But once you are back in the U.S., it can be challenging to find an authentic Parisian croissant. Grocery store croissants are fake versions and nothing even close to the real deal. Fortunately, finding an authentic croissant transcends borders in the Washington DC area. Three top French bakeries are located in and around the nation’s capitol: Paul, Paris Baguette, and Fresh Baguette. Each are popular and renowned for their unique approach to baking. But which actually has the most authentically Parisian croissant? In this delicious Battle of the French Bakeries, Paul, Paris and Fresh Baguette go head-to-head for the most authentic Parisian croissant. We did a serious taste test and you may just be surprised by the winner!

Battle of the Croissants: Plain, Chocolate and Almond

In our taste test, croissants were purchased first thing in the morning from Paul, Paris Baguette and Fresh Baguette for peak freshness. We chose plain, chocolate and almond croissants, which are the most common and popular overall. Here are our results:

Paul: The Artisanal Tradition

• Known for their commitment to using high-quality ingredients, Paul’s croissants are generously buttery without being overly greasy. Paul’s croissants are a perfect balance of crispy, golden layers on the outside with delicate layers on the inside. It has a buttery richness that is both satisfying yet indulgent.
• Plain Croissant: Paul’s plain croissant is crisp on the outside with a soft and pillowy interior. This gives it a nice contrast to its crispy exterior. The layers are well-defined and the buttery flavor adds depth to the overall taste.
• Chocolate Croissant: Each bite of a chocolate croissant from Paul yields a delicious crisp exterior with a soft, buttery interior. While chocolate batons are used, once cooked, the chocolate is evenly distributed throughout the croissant. This gives you chocolate in every bite!

• Almond Croissant: Crispy exterior is very tasty with toasted almonds and dusted sugar. Almond filling is a drier, almond paste in the center. Not overly sweet and very delightful.

Paris Baguette: Modern Elegance

• Paris Baguette infuses a touch of modernity into its croissants while respecting the classic French technique. Expect a slightly fluffier texture, emphasizing a more doughy interior that maintains a delicate balance with the crispy outer layers. Some may find Paris Baguette’s croissants to be sweeter, appealing to those who prefer a hint of sweetness in every bite.
• Plain Croissant: Extra crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, we found Paris Baguette’s plain croissant to be delicious. It’s extra crispy exterior was so flaky, it was slightly messy.

• Chocolate Croissant: Paris Baguette’s chocolate croissant had an extra crispy exterior with an airier interior compared to the other two bakeries. It was also a bit drier and less buttery.

• Almond Croissant: Paris Baguette’s almond croissant was comparatively different than the other two. Less traditional, it’s extra crunchy exterior was sweeter with a generous almond topping. The interior had almond cream filling, yielding a sweeter custard-like almond croissant. Very tasty, but different.

Fresh Baguette: The Local Gem

• Fresh Baguette prides itself on delivering croissants that live up to their name. The bakery uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, resulting in croissants that are noticeably vibrant and flavorful. Fresh Baguette establishes a connection with the community with their friendly service.
• Plain Croissant: Fresh Baguette’s plain croissants stay true to the French artisanal tradition. Lovely shiny exterior that is light and crispy with a soft interior.
• Chocolate Croissant: Fresh Baguette’s chocolate croissant was the drier of the three in our taste test. Two chocolate batons are in the center, much like traditional French croissants. Yet the dough didn’t taste as authentic, was less dense and didn’t provide much chocolate flavor with every bite.

• Almond Croissant: Fresh Baguette’s Almond Croissant was the least flavorful of the three bakeries. While the exterior had almonds and sugar, the interior was almost too airy and puffy, with very little almond flavor or paste.

The Winner For Most Authentic Parisian Croissant Is …

While you can’t help but enjoy all of these croissants, in this Battle of the French Bakeries, which of the three French bakeries tested actually tasted most authentically like Paris? There was a clear choice. The sweeping winner for the most authentic Parisian Croissant is … PAUL! We found it won in overall flavor and presentation for all three croissant flavors: plain, chocolate and almond croissants. It was closest to what you will find in Paris. In fact, it is one of the oldest bakeries in France. You will see Paul French Bakery & Cafe as you roam the streets of Paris! Both Paris Baguette and Fresh Baguette are delightful in their own ways, with each offering a different fresh artisanal approach to their baking.

Each Bakery Adds A Unique Spin

In the world of French pastries, the croissant reigns supreme, and each of these bakeries adds its own unique twist to this iconic treat. Whether you prefer the artisanal tradition of our winner Paul, the modern elegance of Paris Baguette, or the local charm of Fresh Baguette, one thing is certain. Indulging in a croissant from any of these establishments will transport your heart right to France!