Best chocolate croissant in France 2025: two bakers from the Paris region among the finalists

Wondering where to find the best pains au chocolat in France? Look no further! The results of the fourth edition of the National Master of the Best Pain au Chocolat competition were announced at the Salon du Chocolat. While first place went to a contestant from the Pays de la Loire region, two bakers from Île-de-France were among the finalists. Find out who they are!

For five days, chocolate lovers indulged in sweet treats atthe Parc des Expos de la Porte de Versaillesin Paris during the latest edition of the Salon du Chocolat. In addition to tastings and fashion shows, the Salon du Chocolat also hosted an awards ceremony. On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the fourth edition of the National Master of the Best Pain au Chocolat was held, organized by the National Confederation of French Bakeries and Pastry Shops.

For this new edition, 42 candidates competed with a single goal in mind: to win the 2025 prize for the best pain au chocolat in France. To do so, they had to convince a jury composed of industry professionals and journalists. The jury judged the flakiness of the pain au chocolat, as well as its taste, baking, shine, melt-in-the-mouth texture, and visual appearance.

In addition, the five chocolate croissants presented by each candidate had to be "identical, made with pure butter, and weigh between 55 and 65 grams (after baking)," according to the website of the French National Confederation of Bakers and Pastry Chefs. After deliberation, Valentin Feiller, a baker from the Pays de la Loire region, ultimately won the coveted title. Second and third place on the podium went to two other contestants from the same region.

Unfortunately, this year, no artisan baker from Île-de-France managed to stand out. Fabrice Pottier from theMaison Pottier bakery and pastry shopin Marcoussis, Essonne, won first place in 2024. Sophie Jullien r at Victoire Boulangerie in Paris, took second place.

However, out of the 42 candidates competing this year, two bakers from the Paris region have made it onto the shortlist of finalists for the 2025 National Master of the Best Pain au Chocolat. They areAnthony Beuchet from Fournil d'autrefoisinÉtampes, and Basile Fourmont fromDes Racines et du Pain bakery in Clamart. While the former has already won the regional first prize (grande couronne category) for his butter croissant, the latter took first place in the Grand Paris 2025 competition for the best Charentes-Poitou AOP butter croissant. Basile Fourmont also received the silver medal at the lastnational competition for the best traditional baguette.

At the 2025 National Championship for the Best Pain au Chocolat, the two artisans from the Paris region once again shone, both reaching the grand final. Unfortunately, however, they did not manage to make it onto the podium this time.