Au Paradis du Gourmand

Winning the Grand Prix de la meilleure baguette de Paris isn’t just a title – it comes with the duty of supplying the Elysée Palace for a year. Ridha Khadher secured that honor for this 14th arrondissement bakery in 2013, and while the daily deliveries to the President have long since ended, the reputation for the baguette de tradition remains the defining feature here. Khadher, who founded the shop in 2006, maintains a production workshop where the focus is strictly on the dough rather than the decor. The shop sits on Rue Raymond Losserand, directly facing the Hôpital Paris Saint-Joseph. This proximity shapes the daily flow as much as the baking schedule does; you see a steady stream of hospital staff, visitors, and patients crossing the street for lunch or a quick comfort purchase. The interior is functional and compact, with glass cases running the length of the counter to display the day’s output. While the classic baguette draws the regulars, the baking team experiments with specialty loaves incorporating ingredients like curry or squid ink. The sweet side of the menu relies on pure butter viennoiseries, with the pistachio pastries standing out as a specific local favorite – though you need to arrive early to find them, as they frequently sell out before the morning is over. For the midday rush, the selection expands to savory traiteur items, including house-made quiches, pizzas, and sandwiches designed for a quick takeaway.