One of the questions I’m most often asked by visitors in Aix is “Where can I find good bread?” First of all, in France there’s a 99% chance you’ll find good bread if you go to a bakery (boulangerie) not a supermarket. However, to make things easier, I created a list of my favorite bread shops (boulangeries) in Aix en Provence.
Updated Apr 28th 2024: There is a new #1 on this list!!
Best bread
Maison Saint Honoré
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
Tues-Sun
There’s a new king in town; the bread at this bakery is absolutely delicious! Although they don’t make baguettes, they have incredible ciabatta and large crusty loaves of bread. They even do these little breakfast buns called ‘Bloomers’ because the baker is Irish. In France, when you say “the best bread in town,” it means a lot.
Hat’s
Rue d’Italie
Open every day
Hat’s, which means bread in Armenian, is located on rue d’Italie right in the center of town. Their baguette is called the “Craquante” and it’s the best! It’s also the cheapest one. I also really like their olive bread there, which you can buy by the slice. On Saturdays, they also have a chocolate babka cake that’s divine. Naturally, they bake their own bread at the bakery.
Farinoman Fou
Place des Precheurs
Tue-Sat
This is the bakery that the Michelin-starred restaurant Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste uses. It only sells bread, nothing sweet, and no sandwiches and salads like you often find in all boulangeries in France. They have different breads they bake everyday, but my personal favorite is called the ‘Fiorito Negro,’ a small bread stuffed with black olives.
Biscotte et Biscotte
Rue Gaston de Saporta (2 spots on the street)
Mon-Sat
It’s the closest boulangerie to my house so I go there a lot. At first, I discovered the ‘Pogne’ for breakfast, which is simply a brioche with pralines. Then I discovered a cereal baguette they make covered in sesame, sunflower and chia seeds, which I adore. They have two stores both on rue Gaston Saporta, and one of them is right next to the Madeleines of Christophe.
Noé
Rue Chabrier & Rue d’Italie (2 in the city)
Every day
More of a “standard” boulangerie, but nonetheless very good. My personal favorite is the Khorasan bread made from Kamut wheat, which has a rich nutty flavor. They have two stores, one on rue d’Italie and one on rue Chabrier.
Best Croissant
Le Moulin des artistes
Place des Tanneurs
Tue-Sun
This boulangerie is on the Place des Tanneurs, so it’s very centrally located. Not only is the simple croissant my favorite one in the city, but they also make raspberry, strawberry or pistachio versions, which are divine. However, if you want to try the raspberry croissant I recommend going there early. They often run out of those croissants before 10am. The best croissant in the city!
Lavarenne
Cours Mirabeau/Rue Thiers
Tue-Sun
This boulangerie is right at the end of the Cours Mirabeau so easily accessible. They have a variety of sandwiches for lunch, which are all very good, in addition to delicious, classic croissants.
Best Pan Bagnat (regional speciality)
Pavé du Roy
Hotel Roi René
Tue-Sun
This bakery is farther south in the city near the Parc Jourdan. Like all the best boulangeries, they bake their own bread every day like the other boulangeries listed above. My personal favorite for lunch is the Pan Bagnat (sandwich with tuna, hard boiled eggs, anchovies and olive oil). As for their different breads, I have a soft
