After a carb-loaded boulangerie tour on my recent visit to this beautiful French city, I’ve narrowed down my top five spots to indulge in the best croissants and 'chocolatines' Bordeaux has to offer.
Why Bordeaux?
Bordeaux, in Southwest France, apart from its charms as one of the most beautiful French cities, is a gastronomic paradise celebrated for its world-class wines and fresh oysters. While I wouldn’t call myself a wine expert (more of an enthusiastic sipper) and oysters have never been my thing, there’s one culinary delight I simply couldn’t resist and that French do it better: French buttery pastries. From the universally beloved croissant to the heavenly Pain au Chocolat (or Chocolatine, as they call it in the Gascony region) there’s something undeniably seductive about those golden, flaky layers of buttery goodness. Fuelled by this carb-loaded passion, I embarked on a self-designed "boulangerie crawl," determined to stuff my face with the very best croissant and other pastries Bordeaux had to offer.
Five boulangeries, one farmer's market, countless buttery bites, and zero regrets later, I’ve uncovered the spots where croissants and chocolatines transcend their mere pastry stature and become art pieces!
Disclaimer: I bet there are plenty of great boulangeries hidden in the neighbourhoods and suburbs of this great culinary city, yet I restrained my indulgence to the city centre, where most tourists (like me) usually hang around, and only to places that scored high in Google and TripAdvisor (over 4.5).
Best Croissants and Chocolatines in Bordeaux
Boulangerie Jocteur
Highlights:
The best Pain au Chocolat in Bordeaux!
Limited seating area - indoors only (3-4 tables)
From the outside, this spot could easily be mistaken for an old-school neighbourhood shoe repair shop, but step inside, and you’re instantly transported to a buttery wonderland. As you enter, you are hit with air filled with the irresistible aroma of baked butter, sugar, fruits, and a hint of cinnamon—an intoxicating prelude to what’s in store. Queuing up, my eyes raced across rows of tarts, cakes, and buns, and my brain submitted to a flood of endorphins. I felt my food-induced anxiety was kicking in. Cozy interiors and cheerful staff make the wait all the more enjoyable.
Now, let’s get to the goodies. Forget healthy eating when you are visiting Jocteur. I wonder how French people stay in such shape surrounded by all this butter and dough. While the brioche bread loaves might be tempting for a fleeting second, the real star -and what you are here for- is their pain au chocolat/chocolatine. With a crispy, flaky exterior and a buttery, soft and springy interior dough, this is leagues above any chocolatine I’ve tasted before or since. The chocolate-to-dough ratio is divine, delivering pure comfort in every bite. Their plain croissant is also noteworthy; slightly more on the bready side, but perfect for dunking into a steaming cappuccino or thick hot chocolate. Not to be missed!
Louis Lamour
Highlights:
Try savoury croissant and tiger's loaf
Outdoor and indoor seating area
While this spot might serve up what I consider the second-best chocolatine in town, it’s undoubtedly the number one destination for savoury ham and cheese croissants. Let me tell you something: this isn’t your average ham-and-cheese situation. Imagine best quality deli ham and slices of Comté cheese wrapped in flaky. puffed croissant layers and elevated by a perfectly measured touch of wholemeal Dijon mustard. It’s umami, it's sweet and subtle, not overpowering, and utterly satisfying. What's more? The croissant’s crust has a slightly bagel-pretzely texture and feel, with just the right amount of bite and saltiness that lifts the entire experience off to heaven.
Don’t overlook their chocolatine either. It’s a worthy contender and is featuring my cover page of this post: flaky, buttery, and generously chocolaty; but what truly sets this bakery apart is its quirky "Tiger’s Loaf". This mini cubical loaf, infused with turmeric and charcoal, is unlike anything you’ve ever seen or tasted. Earthy, vibrant, and utterly unique, it’s a must-have addition to your bakery haul.
Batch
Since you’re already in the area, swing by Batch, a little cookie bake shop just around the corner. This tiny spot has gained a big reputation for crafting some of the biggest, most decadent cookies in town. Each one is a buttery, sugary masterpiece, rich and designed to ruin any trace of dietary restraint you thought you had left.
Their praline-stuffed cookie is the main thing here. Imagine biting into a warm, golden cookie, only to discover molten praline oozing out like lava; it’s messy and decadent but worth every single calorie. If you’ve already said goodbye to your diet (and let’s face it, you probably did back at the boulangerie), this is your last nail in the coffin.
Pro tip: Grab one to-go and a couple for your friends back home (they are still yummy re-heated)
Gllm Guillaume
Highlights:
Neighbourhood vibe - good prices
Big variety of pastries, tarts, chocolatine and croissants
Savoury baguettes and fougasse bread
Check their lovely Instagram profile: @gllm_guillaume
Tucked away in a charming little side street with a neighbourhood vibe, just moments from the bustling main shopping drag (think London’s Regent Street) and the cute Place Gambetta, Boulangerie Guillaume like a secret I was thrilled to have uncovered. Step inside, and you’re welcomed by a bunch of absolutely cheerful ladies running the place. They’ll gladly walk you through their offerings and explain what's on display.
Now, let’s talk about their chocolatine craquante (crunchy chocolatine), which is nothing short of spectacular. Golden, flaky, and buttery, it wraps around the perfect amount of rich, gooey praline you've ever sunk your teeth into. Their tarts are equally swoon-worthy. Whether it’s a tangy raspberry, a decadent chocolate ganache, or a seasonal fruit medley, each one is crafted with the care of a master artist. Being also a savoury thrill seeker, their various sandwich baguettes got me covered. Think creamy brie paired with fig jam, or salty prosciutto mingling with fresh mozzarella and rocket. And on the way out I grabbed one fougasse bread, a rustic and beautifully chewy delight infused with flavours like olives, herbs, or cheese. It’s the kind of bread that could make an entire meal feel special.
La P'tite Boulangerie Notre Dame
Highlights:
Best value for money
Beautiful neighbourhood with sightseeing (Notre Dame)
Take away only
So, if you stay on this side of the city, you are lucky. Chartrons, one of Bordeaux’s poshest neighbourhoods, offers a unique blend of charm and sophistication. Known for its independent boutiques, chic restaurants, and the stunning Notre-Dame Church, this area is a hipster gem. Add to that the Sunday farmers' and street food market along the river, where you can indulge in fresh bakery delights, artisanal cheeses, bubbles, and oysters with a scenic riverside view. Pure bliss!
La P'tite Boulangerie is one more reason I loved Chartrons. Everything here is made fresh on-site, and you can even catch the baker's knead as you place an order. I came here for their incredible savoury quiches (trust me, they’re so good you may as well have one for lunch) but also soon realised I was in for fluffy brioche buns and an array of sweet treats, like tarts, éclairs, and of course, their celebrated croissants and chocolatines.
It’s not just the irresistible variety or freshness that makes that place unique in the area, but also the friendly prices, making it an accessible luxury for everyone. While there’s no seating in the boulangerie itself, you can grab your goodies to go and enjoy them on a sunny day in the nearby Halle des Chartrons square, preferably with a coffee from one of the nearby cafés.
Best Chocolate Souvenir from Bordeaux: Praline Spreads
Le Comptoir de Mathilde
And because no French culinary adventure is complete without a decadent souvenir, I’ve also included a hidden gem where you can snag the most divine chocolate praline spreads to take home. Le Comptoir de Mathilde is a chain with shops across most major French cities, so there's no French trip of mine without returning with a bunch of those bad boys. One other thing you may want It's on the main shopping street, Rue Sainte-Catherine, you can't miss it.
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