The gastronomic guide La Liste, a benchmark in the industry, unveiled the winners of its 2026 Special Pastry and Bakery Awards during the sixth edition of its annual ceremony, staged at the Jardins des Invalides in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. In total, 36 chefs and establishments from 18 countries were honored across eleven categories, with France taking a prominent spotlight.
If pastry isn’t in Paris, the pastry chef certainly is French—and notably Parisian. The title of best patisserie in the world goes this year to Pierre Hermé Paris, but in Sentosa, off Singapore. A truly French house, then, that is now making its mark in Asia with the opening of its 400 m2 flagship in the summer of 2025.
France sits at the forefront, shining in the most emblematic categories—from bakery innovation to environmental responsibility. Passing on know‑how, local sourcing, sustainable development and the enhancement of gastronomic heritage: the French winners embody the major trends shaping the pastry and bakery of tomorrow.
Here are the French artisans and chefs who were honored this year, plenty of places to discover for anyone with a sweet tooth:
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The List also spotlights a Zoom France segment devoted to the year's top openings:
Finally, a second Zoom France highlights the best pastries to explore:
One of the crown jewels of this list of accolades is to be found in Paris: the world's best afternoon teae served at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in the 8th arrondissement. Here, executive pastry chef Michael Bartocetti presents a tea time that reinvents itself each season, pairing sweet creations, savory bites and a shareable pastry pièce, all set in a palace-worthy setting.
The venue confirms the vitality of Paris’s culinary scene, with several houses on the list, from Mamiche to the Manufactures Alain Ducasse. A good reason to plan tasty pit stops in the capital as well as across the regions, while waiting to try these new references for themselves.
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