Boulangerie Pâtisserie Graine D'artiste — Specialty Store in Père Lachaise, Paris

Boulangerie Pâtisserie Graine D'artiste is an independent bakery and pastry shop on Rue des Pyrénées in Père Lachaise. The first thing you notice is the queue at the counter in the morning and the smell of butter and warm bread. It is a working neighborhood bakery, not a destination patisserie, and that is part of its appeal.

The pain au chocolat is the one to get first: the pastry is fresh and warm, with a generous chocolate filling that runs soft at the center. The croissant is perfectly buttered, and the raspberry version is a regular's order. A traditional baguette is the benchmark here, with a crisp crust and a chewy crumb. For something small and sweet, the financier is a dense almond cake that holds up well with coffee.

There are just four tables inside, so sit-in space is limited, but a coffee with a pastry is a good way to start a Sunday. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the counter service moves quickly even when the shop is busy.

Prices are on the higher side for a neighborhood bakery: a pain au chocolat is €1.50, and pastries generally run from €1.50 to €5. The traditional baguette is the better value if you are watching your spend. A recent price increase has not gone unnoticed, and some items feel expensive.

If you want a sure thing, stick to the pain au chocolat, croissant, and traditional baguette, which are the items that built the shop's following.