Paris 10 Must-Try French Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth

Monday, March 03, 2025

Branch Out Travel Blog/Paris 10 Must-Try French Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth

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Ah, Paris. This magical city isn’t just a feast for the eyes and a spark for romance—it’s also a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth. With pastries so divine they deserve their own place in the Louvre, the only dilemma is deciding which one to try first.

Worried you might have to sample more than one a day? We say, c’est la vie!

Below are our top 10 must-eat desserts when you visit the City of Lights.

1. Tarte aux Fruits
Love fruit? This buttery pastry is loaded with fresh fruit atop luscious Chantilly cream. You can grab it in mini-tart form for a quick treat or go big with a full-sized pie—either way, expect pure bliss.

2. Éclair
A rock star of French pastries! The éclair is a long choux pastry filled with custard or pastry cream, then topped with sweet fondant. Fun fact: “éclair” translates to “lightning” in French—try one, and you’ll see why they disappear in a flash.

3. Paris-Brest
Created in 1891 to celebrate a bicycle race from Paris to Brest, this circular pastry is filled with praline-flavored cream nestled in choux pastry. It’s every bit as legendary as its inspiration.

4. Macaron
Ah, the macaron: a delicate meringue-almond shell with decadent fillings in every flavor imaginable. Don’t confuse it with the coconut-based macaroon—these colorful gems are a world of sweetness all their own.

5. Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart)
A crisp pastry crust with a tangy-sweet lemon filling made from juice, zest, eggs, and sugar—no actual fruit slices here. Rich, bright, and oh-so-refreshing, it’s the perfect palate cleanser.

6. Mille-Feuille (Napoleon)
Layers and layers of flaky puff pastry, with two creamy layers of pastry crème sandwiched in between. Sometimes called “Napoleon,” this treat is delightfully airy and oh-so-indulgent.

7. Tarte Tatin
An upside-down pastry named after the Hotel Tatin, where it originated. Think caramelized fruit in butter and sugar for a silky, melt-in-your-mouth finish. Pro tip: pair it with a dollop of tart crème fraîche.

8. Choux à la Crème (Cream Puffs)
Hollow puffs made from choux dough, typically filled with whipped cream or custard. If you add a chocolate topping, it becomes a “profiterole.” Fancy it up further with ice cream, fruit, or even spun caramel.

9. Croissant
No French dessert list would be complete without this buttery, flaky masterpiece. Slather on fruit preserves, chocolate, or a sweet compote of your choice. Bonjour, deliciousness!

10. Petits Fours
Translated literally to “small oven,” these bite-sized pastries (also called mignardises) can be sweet or savory. The sweet versions are often topped with a sugary glaze on a crisp biscuit—ideal for tea parties or an afternoon pick-me-up.


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