The Best Artisanal Ice Cream in Paris

Photo: Bac à Glace / Facebook

With summer upon us and temperatures rising, there’s nothing more refreshing while strolling in Paris than an ice cream. Although it was brought to France from Italy, the French have a great fondness for la glace. It is therefore not surprising to find a number of wonderful glaciers across the city who dedicate themselves masterfully to the art of ice cream. From historic to the avant garde, here’s where you can get the best artisanal ice cream in Paris.

Raimo

Tucked away in the 12th district is one of the oldest existing ice cream shops of Paris. Short for Raimondo, the shop was founded at this very location by an Italian family of ice cream makers in 1947. Their menu features over 40 flavors, which are adapted to the seasons and could include melon, matcha green tea, candied ginger or Calisson d’Aix. It’s the perfect place for a break while taking a stroll along the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, a verdant promenade built atop a repurposed raised train line running from Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes and predecessor to the High Line in New York.

Website. Address: 59-63 Boulevard de Reuilly, 75012 Paris

Berthillon

Although it isn’t the oldest glacier in Paris, this ice cream maker on Ile Saint-Louis is certainly the most famous in the city. Originally a café called La Bourgogne, in the mid-1950s Raymond Berthillon began making artisanal ice cream. In 1961 his creations attracted the attention of the renowned French food guide Gault et Millau, whose glorious review shot Berthillon to culinary stardom. The flavorful ice cream is 100% natural and, despite its fame and availability at different venues around the city, is still made behind the original shop on rue Saint Louis en l’Ile. Flavors range from their signature candied chestnut to more inventive seasonal options. No matter which flavor you choose, it’s well worth the wait. 

Website. Address: 29-31 rue saint Louis en l’ile, 75004 Paris

Photo: Bac à Glace / Facebook

Bac à Glace

This master ice cream shop on the Saint Germain neighborhood’s gastronomic rue de Bac dates back to 1955. Its traditions are now maintained by the founder’s grandson, who has also added some modern flare to the shops repertoire with combinations like apricot with thyme and date with orange blossom. Their glaces are all homemade, use exceptional ingredients and have no additives.

Website. Address: 109 rue du Bac, 75007 Paris 

Photo: Une Glace à Paris / Facebook

Une Glace à Paris

After a successful start in the Marais, Emmanuel Ryon, who has the prestigious title of Meilleur ouvrier de France for ice cream, and Olivier Ménard, a former pastry chef at Pierre Hermé, have opened a second boutique in Montmartre. A unique team for an original menu of ice creams which could include smoked Inaya chocolate, Columbian wild pollen or combawa sorbet. It also has a variety of cakes and pastries with ice cream, a true blend of its founders’ talents.

Website. Address: 58 rue Rambuteau, 75004 Paris and 16 place des Abbesses, 75018 Paris

Bachir 

Not all the top ice cream venues in Paris are French. For something a little different, stop by this high-quality Lebanese glacier, also with locations in the Marais and Montmartre. Founded in 1936 in the Lebanese town of Bikfaya by brothers Maurice and Edouard Bachir, the house has been present in Paris since 2016. Different from European ice cream, their 100% organic creations are not made with cream, but instead with milk, orange blossom and edible mastic from pistachio trees, the tradition recipe in Lebanon. Called Achta, we recommend you splurge on this and have it topped decadent with crushed pistachio and cream.

Website. Address: 54 rue Rambuteau, 75004 Paris and 7 rue Tardieu ,75018 Paris

Photo: Glazed / Facebook

Glazed 

Definitely the most inventive of Paris’s glaciers, these modern ice cream makers have been pushing the boundaries of French glaces since 2011. Quirky names, such as Orange Mécanique And Glazed and Confused, are matched with unusual ingredients, like orange Campari with balsamic vinegar and citrus fruit and citronella. Whether you opt for a savory or sweet combination, your palate will undoubtedly be tantalized.

Website. Address: 54 rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris and 19 rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 75005 Paris

We can stop many of these venues during our Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre or Gardens of the Marais neighborhood tours. They can also be included in a custom food tour. Contact us here to start and we would be happy to help you plan the perfect tour to suit your interests.