Private Immersive French Lessons in Paris — with a Generous Helping of Pastry

Because learning the subjunctive is easier with almond cream in your mouth

Our team of private French tutors is made up of deeply cultured, highly trained... and unashamedly obsessed with pastries. And I, Violaine — founder of Bespoke French Lessons, grammar enthusiast and full-time almond croissant scout — was tasked with a sacred mission: find the best almond croissant in Paris, report back to the other tutors, and stay reasonably coherent while doing so.

This wasn’t just indulgence. This was immersive pedagogy.

Why We Often Start Our Private Immersive French Lessons in Paris at the Bakery

At Bespoke French Lessons, we design private immersive French lessons in Paris that reflect the real life of real Parisians — which includes standing in line at the boulangerie and saying je vais prendre un croissant aux amandes, s’il vous plaît without panic.

Our classes take place in cafés, galleries, gardens... and yes, often in front of a pastry display case.Because language sticks better when it’s wrapped in butter and dusted with powdered sugar.

So, What Makes a Great Almond Croissant?

The almond croissant (croissant aux amandes) is not a beginner’s pastry. It’s rebaked, syrup-soaked, filled with almond cream (frangipane), topped with sliced almonds, and often dusted with sugar. Done well, it’s poetry. Done badly, it tastes like hand soap.

Fortunately for you, I’ve done the legwork — and a few stomach stretches — to bring you this deeply biased ranking.

My Top 5 Almond Croissants in Paris (A Field Report from a Private French Tutor)

Utopie (Paris 11e) — The Winner by a Crumb

20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011

Forget the hype. This croissant delivers. Soft, gently caramelised, filled just enough, and never too sweet. There's a toasty roasted almond flavor that feels adult — like a croissant that reads Le Monde diplomatique.They also make the best baguette in Paris 2024, now served at the Élysée Palace. And yet I’d still go for the croissant first.

My take: Almond croissant with depth. Balanced, complex, completely addictive. My clear number one.

Boulangerie Julien (Paris 7e) — The Gold Standard

85 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007

Julien’s version is what happens when restraint meets precision. No overpowering sweetness, no fake almond flavor — just a tender, perfectly rebaked croissant with real crème d’amande. I’ve taken students here during lessons, and one of them whispered: “This should be illegal.”

My take: Discreetly perfect. The almond croissant that quietly wins your heart.

Du Pain et des Idées (Paris 10e) — The Diva

34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010

This one is here for drama. Shiny, puffy, sculptural — and yes, extremely photogenic. It’s also intensely sweet and full of character. You might love it. You might find it exhausting. Either way, it will make you feel something.

My take: Great for visitors. Less great if you have a delicate stomach or a delicate soul.

Maison Pichard (Paris 15e) — The Maximalist

88 Rue Cambronne, 75015

Rich. Sticky. Almost too much. But also... deeply satisfying. Their almond croissant is for days when you need both emotional and caloric support.Perfect to follow a lesson on the plus-que-parfait.

My take: Not elegant. Not refined. But God, it’s good.

La Parisienne (Paris 6e) — The Thoughtful One

48 Rue Madame, 75006

Less sugar, more almond. More chew than crunch. This is the one I eat while correcting essays or teaching vocabulary about existential doubt. It doesn’t shout — it murmurs.

My take: The introvert of almond croissants. Understated, intelligent, and unexpectedly moving.

The Almond Croissant Method (It’s Real)

In our private immersive French lessons in Paris, food is part of the method.

Not just because it's delicious — but because real French is spoken in real places: boulangeries, cafés, markets. Every pastry becomes an opportunity for grammar, vocabulary, and joy.

You’ll never forget the gender of croissant after ordering one you truly love.(Hint: it’s masculine, like “un rêve.”)

Ready to Learn French with a Side of Frangipane?

Whether you're new to French or want to polish your Parisian edge, our private immersive French lessons in Paris are made for you — tailor-made, real-world, and sometimes sticky-fingered.

Write to me. Tell me your level, your goals, and your croissant preferences. I’ll take care of the rest.

french with a croissant? Join us !