With its melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicious vanilla flavor, flan pâtissier has stood the test of time without losing any of its popularity. It's fair to say that it's a classic childhood dessert that can be found in Paris in neighborhood bakeries as well as in the windows of the most sophisticated pastry shops.
Recognizable by its generous height, golden color, and texture somewhere between cream and dessert, it evokes simplicity in its most comforting form. The classic recipe is based on shortcrust or puff pastry, filled with a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and starch, cooked slowly to obtain a soft center and a thin caramelized crust.
But in the City of Light, flan is no longer just plain: it also comes in flavors such as Madagascar vanilla, praline, chocolate, pistachio, black sesame, and even marbled. Some establishments prepare it in large sizes to share, while others offer individual portions that are easy to devour on the street.
Despite its move upmarket, it remains an accessible dessert, not too sweet, appreciated for its simplicity and melt-in-the-mouth texture. And in a city like Paris, where cakes often compete in terms of inventiveness, flan reminds us that the simplest pleasures are often the best!
Christophe Michalak unveils his first coffee shop at Printemps Haussmann - he tells us all about it!
Pastry chef Christophe Michalak opened his first coffee shop at Printemps Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement in September 2025. In an exclusive interview, the chef reveals his passion for the croissant dipped in flat white coffee and his signature creations, including his famous mini-flans. [Read more]
Le Flan de la Boulangerie Méditerranéenne (Montrouge and Paris 8)
At Boulangerie Méditerranéenne, flan is a serious business: here, we find it very vanilla-flavored, as evidenced by the many grains that appear when cut, with a silky texture, a good taste of fresh eggs that doesn't overpower the rest, and a relatively low-sugar recipe, highlighting the vanilla well. [Read more]
Julo, the patisserie that delights the 10th arrondissement
Julo is the name of a new patisserie opened by 3 talented pastry chefs in Paris's 10th arrondissement. We take you on a discovery tour. [Read more]
Pâtisserie Nèulo, the temple of flan by Pierre-Jean Quinonero
Nèulo is the name of the Provencal patisserie-concept store imagined by Gauthier Rosario and Pierre-Jean Quinonero, French Dessert Champion. Originally dedicated to waffles, the 5th arrondissement Paris venue has changed its tune to become a paradise for all types of flan. From marble flan to lemon flan and the famous vanilla flan, this is the spot for fans of the iconic Parisian pastry. [Read more]
La Pâtisserie Mélilot, the 20th arrondissement's artisanal gourmet haunt
La Pâtisserie Mélilot is the charming gourmet haunt nestled on rue de la Réunion in Paris's 20ᵉ arrondissement. Imagined by chef Sabrina Allard, this little neighborhood nugget offers us a short range of artisanal cakes and pastries. Among them are creations based on melilot, an aromatic plant with vanilla and tonka bean aromas that deserves to be better known. [Read more]
Boulangerie Pâtisserie l'Équilibre, the best in French patisserie Paris 15e
L'Équilibre is the Boulangerie Pâtisseries that everyone flocks to in Paris's 15th arrondissement. With a baker and pastry chef who is a former palace sous chef, the pastries, viennoiseries and sourdough breads are as luxurious as they are gourmet, and at a more affordable price. We love the classic, excellently executed, all in a historic boutique. [Read more]
Éveil Boulangerie's vanilla flan
I'm a big fan of Éveil Boulangerie's vanilla flan, whether it's the crousti-flan version (on a disk of caramelized puff pastry) or the part version, it's just divine. With a beautiful, still-shaky crust, good puff pastry and not too much sugar, all you want to do is go back for more. [Read more]
Creamy flan from The French Bastard
French Bastard's vanilla-flavored, super-creamy flan, reminiscent of Catalan cream, is a favorite. [Read more]
Petit Beefbar's delicious Parisian flan
Looking for a good bistro offering typical desserts? Between French toast and flan, you're in for a treat. [Read more]
Ginko Pâtisserie's flan
Ginko, the 19th arrondissement patisserie, offers flans just the way we like them. Good texture and vanilla taste, we'll go for it. [Read more]
The good flan from Bopain
Bopain, the new artisan bakery in the 12th arrondissement, offers us a real flan! With real vanilla, a good recipe that holds together but is also creamy, we're seduced by this generous slice. [Read more]
Bulle, the bakery and patisserie that delights the Buttes Chaumont in Paris
Let's go and discover Bulle, the bakery and patisserie that's got pasian gourmands in a frenzy. Opened a few months ago by Jules Neyers and Eugénie Brunetière, this new spot is sure to tempt your taste buds in search of good sourdough breads, fine viennoiseries and fine pastries. [Read more]
Le Flan de chez Tranché
Just simple and good, we love the flakiness of this flan and its creamy texture. [Read more]
Maison Stohrer's good custard
Stohrer's flan is a classic, often mentioned when talking about custards. Its slightly creamy texture and delicate vanilla fragrance evoke memories of childhood. Its simple recipe, based on milk, cream, flan powder, sugar and Madagascan vanilla, is prepared without eggs. This traditional flan is delicious and comforting. Count on €4 a slice. [Read more]
Mori Yoshida Pâtisserie's vanilla flan
Mori Yoshida's vanilla flan is undoubtedly one of our favorites. A crunchy shortcrust pastry and a creamy, but firm pastry make for a very successful whole. The slice is generous and delicious. Count €4.50 per slice. [Read more]
Flan from Boulangerie l'Essentiel
L'Essentiel now has 4 bakeries and pastry shops in Paris that combine tradition and modernity. No compromises on quality and taste. The pastry chefs offer us the very best in tradition, and we love it. [Read more]
Le Flan de l'Epicerie Tempero by Alessandra Montagne-Gomes
Tempero, the grocery-canteen-dining room of Alessandra Montagne-Gomes, offers a delicious custard flan to eat in or take away. [Read more]
Pascal Haignigue's vanilla-pecan flan at Epicerie du Bristol
Le Bristol Paris offers a wide range of delicacies in its grocery store. Treat yourself to the must-have pastries and viennoiseries of new Pastry Chef Pascal Hainigue and the incredible creations of Johan Giacchetti. We love the decadent Vanilla Pecan Flan. Count €18 per pastry for 2. [Read more]
Zest, the flan of a Dessert Champion
Zest is the name of the Boulangerie-Pâtisserie run by Cyril Gaidella, Champion de France du dessert 2017, which is delighted to be opening in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside Paris. Come and discover its sourdough breads, homemade viennoiseries and delicious, gourmet pastries, including the famous Parisian flan. [Read more]
Ultra gourmet Tea Time at the Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris
Gourmet alert, friends: Pastry Chef Quentin Lechat unveils his first tea time at the Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris. Discover this sweet 4-course tea time, sure to delight the sweet tooth in all of us. [Read more]
Anne Coruble's divine flan at the Peninsula Paris
Undoubtedly one of the best flans in Paris, this vanilla custard with its divine taste and crisp puff pastry can be enjoyed with tea-time, or as an indulgence in the palace's tearoom. [Read more]
Le Flan de Arlette & Colette, organic bakery in the 17th arrondissement
Savor the flan at Arlette & Colette, an irresistible organic bakery-pastry shop in Paris's 17th arrondissement. [Read more]
Jeffrey Cagnes' divine flan
We've fallen for Jeffrey Cagnes' flan at his Batignolles patisserie. A brown sugar shortbread crust, a Madagascar vanilla flan appliance for a gourmet balance at 3.50€. [Read more]
Nina Métayer's blank
How about discovering Nina Métayer's delicious flan? By delivery or in her tea room at Printemps du Goût in the 9th arrondissment, it's sure to please. [Read more]
Jardin Sucré flans in Paris
With chocolate, vanilla or pistachio, the flans from Le Jardin Sucré pastry shop in the 17th arrondissement are sure to please every taste bud! Count €4 for a Madagascar vanilla flan made with raw milk from the Vallée de Chevreuse. [Read more]
Tartelettes' praline flan
Tartelettes is an original Parisian patisserie that invites you to discover delicious tarts in both sweet and savory versions. But flan is also in the spotlight, as in this new version with gourmet praline. [Read more]
Le Flan de Tapisserie Pâtisserie
Looking for a real, fresh, gourmet, artisanal flan? Let's head for Septime's new patisserie in Paris's 11th arrondissement. [Read more]
Bo&Mie's excellent flan
For fans of flans, Bo&Mie has something to tempt your discerning taste buds. Classic or revisited, you'll love it! One year after the opening of its second spot, the team behind the famous bakery-pastry shop has opened a 3rd address. And not just any address, since it's the biggest bakery in Paris. 400 m2, 3 floors and all on rue de Rivoli, opposite the Louvre. It's time for a treat. [Read more]
Christophe Michalak and Eric Kayser's flan recipe
Christophe Michalak and Eric Kayser give you the recipe for their famous flan pâtissier, one of the greatest classics of French pastry making! [Read more]
Le Flan de Gâteaux d'émotions, Philippe Conticini's Pâtisserie
Philippe Conticini's chocolate version of flan is simply divine, and a must-try. [Read more]
The French Bastards bakery on rue Saint-Denis in Paris: savour gourmet delights
Explore The French Bastards bakery in Paris, famous for its irresistible pastries, sandwiches and other delicacies. [Read more]
Le Flan de Cédric Grolet Opera
Would you like to discover a crunchy, divine vanilla flavored flan? Let yourself be tempted by Cédric Grolet's flan at Opéra. [Read more]
Find the location of all these addresses by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article
