Step into the charming Du Pain et des Idées, a historic bakery where delectable French pastries and the renowned pain des amis await just blocks from Canal St-Martin.
"Du Pain et Des Idées is an institution in the now-trendy Canal area, and you should come here for their “escargots,” or Danish-style pastries shaped like pinwheels. Choose from red fruits, pistachio, or something seasonal, and be sure to also pick up some of their pain des amis: a hearty, rectangular-shaped bread that’s ideal for sopping up some soup at lunch or dinner. They’re closed on the weekends, so if you show up on a Saturday or Sunday, don’t assume you’ve somehow miraculously skirted the line. " - sara lieberman, emily monaco
"Du Pain et Des Idées is best known for its Insta-famous croissant dough swirls called escargots, filled with berries and cream cheese, cinnamon and orange rind, or pistachio pastry cream studded with chocolate chips. They’re delicious, but we always sideline them for the croissant. Denser than others on this list, their pleasantly misshapen form clearly shows they’re handmade with love. We’d gladly sit through an hour of traffic on the Champs-Elysées for the pleasure of teasing off their caramelized ends. There’s also a vanilla-esque flavor that’s a welcome change up to those that taste like they’ve been dunked headfirst into a vat of melted butter. Croissants aside, it should be against the law to skip the sacristain, a twist of custard-filled croissant dough generously covered in cane sugar." - emily monaco
"It is always a pleasure to come to this bakery for their bread and pastries. Quick advice: be patient, it’s worth it, trust me!" - Fakepaper
"Du Pain et Des Idées is an institution in the now-trendy Canal area, and you should come here for their “escargots,” or Danish-style pastries shaped like pinwheels. Choose from red fruits, pistachio, or something seasonal, and be sure to also pick up some of their pain des amis: a hearty, rectangular-shaped bread that’s ideal for sopping up some soup at lunch or dinner. They’re closed on the weekends, so if you show up on a Saturday or Sunday, don’t assume you’ve somehow magically skirted the line." - Sara Lieberman
"Du Pain et des Idées is known for hearty rustic loaves (try the pain des amis ), mini-pavés (small, doughy breads in the shape of a cobblestone that are often filled with cheese, veggies or other savory ingredients), and the pinwheel-shaped chocolate-pistachio escargot pastries. Everything moves fast here, so don't be surprised if the staff is short with you: they just want to keep the line flowing smoothly. Curious about an ingredient? Just ask." - Lindsey Tramuta
