What to do about breakfast in Paris

Ah, the infamous Parisian breakfast—a myth wrapped in flaky pastry and overpriced coffee. If you’ve ever found yourself shelling out €15 for a formule that left you both hungry and enraged, you’re not alone. It’s a scandal, a travesty, a blatant affront to the culinary delights this city is known for. And yet, tourists keep falling into the same trap, expecting a lavish spread when the reality is far more… Spartan.

Many of my Food Tour guests and friends visiting Paris ask me, “What should I do about breakfast in Paris?” My simple answer: if you really want to eat like the French, grab a croissant at your local boulangerie artisanale and head to the nearest zinc bar at a brasserie for a quick espresso. Don’t spend more than €4. Save yourself for lunch!

Many are surprised by my simple approach, but the Parisian breakfast is a tale of contrasts! The petit déjeuner we know today, with its light touch and unassuming elegance, wasn’t always the norm. So, let’s dive into the fascinating history of the Parisian breakfast—a meal that has evolved from necessity to ritual, and one that has been widely misunderstood.

The Real History of the Parisian Breakfast

Breakfast in Paris, and in France more generally, has long been a simple, functional affair. Historically, the working class would eat very little in the morning—perhaps just some bread and a bit of coffee. In the 18th and 19th centuries, bread (often leftover from the day before) and coffee were the most common components of a morning meal. Milk was often reserved for children or those living in the countryside.

The widespread use of coffee in France can be traced back to the late 17th century, when it became a popular import from Ottoman Turkey. By the early 19th century, the first cafés began to sprout up around Paris, solidifying coffee’s place as a morning staple. Pastries like croissants only entered the scene later, but they are the real stars of today’s Parisian breakfast.

The Croissant’s Origins: Believe it or not, the croissant is not even French—it’s an import from Austria, brought to France in the late 18th century by Marie Antoinette herself. French bakers, being the culinary geniuses that they are, took this crescent-shaped treat and perfected it, turning it into the buttery, flaky indulgence we know today. By the 20th century, croissants were firmly associated with the Parisian breakfast, cementing their status as an everyday luxury.

The Rise of the Romanticised Parisian Breakfast

The notion of a lavish Parisian breakfast—replete with eggs, cheeses, and a whole spread of delights—largely came about thanks to the influence of foreign visitors, particularly from the United States and Britain. Early 20th-century travel writing, and later Hollywood films, helped shape the myth that Parisians indulge in decadent morning meals at charming outdoor cafés, lingering over croissants, fruit, and coffee.

Why the French Breakfast Myth Stuck

1. Hollywood and Travel Writing: Paris became a symbol of luxury and romance in post-WWII America. Films and novels depicted leisurely mornings in beautiful cafés, turning breakfast into an event rather than a utilitarian start to the day. These depictions, however, were more aspirational than accurate. Visitors took this fantasy and spread it as gospel, further entrenching the idea that Paris is the city of luxurious breakfasts.

2. The Café Culture: The romantic notion of a Parisian café, where intellectuals and artists would while away the hours, also contributed to this myth. While these gatherings were real, the idea that breakfast was part of it wasn’t. These café denizens were more likely to be sipping wine or café au lait while discussing philosophy, rather than indulging in a lavish meal.

3. Tourism and Marketing: In an effort to capitalise on the fantasy, many cafés in tourist-heavy areas began offering “formule” breakfasts with inflated prices and elaborately designed spreads. These offerings were aimed more at tourists than locals, playing up the expectation of a rich, indulgent Parisian breakfast experience that simply didn’t exist for the average Parisian.

Reality Check: What Parisians Really Eat For Breakfast

Let’s get one thing straight: a true Parisian breakfast is not a grand affair. You’re not going to get a five-course meal with mimosas and eggs Benedict—no, that’s for the Americans (and we do love you, but this is Paris). Here, the locals grab a café, maybe a kloppe (a quick cigarette if they’re that way inclined), and a caca (let’s call it a sweet pastry for the sake of decorum). It’s fast, it’s simple, and it costs less than your Metro ride during the olympics.

For everyday Parisians, breakfast is often a quick, grab-and-go affair. A croissant or a simple tartine (a slice of baguette with butter and jam) and a cup of coffee—often standing at the counter of a café—is the norm. Many prefer to skip breakfast altogether, opting instead for a more substantial lunch.

The idea of a multi-course breakfast, with eggs, bacon, cheese, and fresh fruit, is almost laughable to Parisians. Those meals are reserved for leisurely weekend brunches, a tradition that has only recently gained popularity in urban Paris and is more influenced by Anglo-Saxon trends than by French traditions.

So, there you have it. The romanticised notion of the Parisian breakfast as a lavish spread comes more from the imaginations of filmmakers and travel writers than from reality. In truth, Parisians keep it simple, often sticking to a pastry and coffee that you can snag for less than €5. Anything more elaborate is designed to cater to tourists craving the fantasy.

Avoiding the Tourist Trap: The Breakfast Formula Scam

I see it all the time: wide-eyed tourists, lured in by the promise of a “traditional” French breakfast, only to be served a sad excuse for a meal that costs more than a decent bottle of Bordeaux. The so-called “formule” breakfasts that dot the streets of tourist-heavy areas are nothing more than a marketing ploy. You’re paying for the privilege of sitting in a famous square, not for the food.

Want to know the real secret? You can have a perfectly authentic Parisian breakfast for under €5. That’s right—skip the cafes with laminated menus in english and head to where the locals go.

How to Breakfast Like a Parisian (Without Getting Scammed)

1. The Bakery Run: Start your morning with a trip to the nearest boulangerie. For €1.40, you can score yourself a croissant au beurre that’s still warm from the oven. It’s buttery, flaky, and everything a croissant should be—no frills, no fancy plating, just pure, unadulterated pastry bliss.
2. Espresso at the Bar: Forget those café tables outside where you’ll be charged triple for the same coffee. Walk straight to the bar inside, stand like a true Parisian, and order an espresso. It’s strong, it’s fast, and it’s usually less than €2. Down it in one, exchange a nod with the bartender, and you’re on your way.
3. Take It to Go: If you’re really embracing the Parisian lifestyle, you won’t even sit down. A croissant in one hand, a coffee in the other, and off you go to work, to wander, to live. This is the art de vivre that Parisians have perfected—not lingering over an overpriced meal, but taking the city in stride, one bite at a time.

For the Love of Goodness, Manage Your Expectations

Let’s be clear: breakfast in Paris isn’t about opulence. It’s a quick, cheap, and efficient affair, meant to fuel you up and get you out the door. If you’re expecting a massive American-style breakfast with pancakes, bacon, and eggs, you’re in the wrong city.

So, don’t get suckered into the tourist traps that promise a “traditional” French breakfast with all the trimmings. They’ll rob you blind and leave you disappointed. Instead, follow the locals’ lead—keep it simple, keep it cheap, and keep moving. That’s the real Parisian way.

French Breakfast Done Right

I’m a British Chef in Paris, even if my love affair with french food runs deeper than the scars that adorn my hands from apprenticing in Paris’s most opulent Palaces. As far as I’m concerned Brunch and Breakfast in Paris is often a miserable affair in comparison to the Great British fry up or Pancakes. To find the best breakfasts in Paris, you will find that great British Breakfast Chef’s, American style diners and Australian cafe’s rule the roost.

Paris isn’t about excess, especially not in the morning. The perfect breakfast here is modest, unassuming, and—most importantly—affordable. So, next time you’re in the city, skip the overhyped formules and do as the Parisians do: grab a croissant, sip an espresso, and go enjoy the city. After all, Paris is best enjoyed on the go, not chained to a café table with an overpriced bill.

Chef Tris

Food Tour Guide

From the bustling streets of Paris to the quiet moments at home, my journey is one of passion, resilience, and a deep love for French cuisine. I’m a brit who moved to France with my Parents aged 16, trained as a chef in Paris Palace at 18 and have spent decades observing and eating like the French. Having spent some time as a tech recruiter my move last year to share my love of food as a local food tour guide in Paris has been a delicious turn of events, blending my professional skills with my personal story of renewal.