bordeaux-metropoleTue-Sat 10:00-19:00Walk-in onlyNatural-ingredient patisserie
Mi Cielo in Le Bouscat, just north of central Bordeaux, is Blanca and Diego Cervantes's award-winning patisserie, opened May 2016 by the Ferrandi-trained.
Tip: Order ahead for celebration cakes; the daily case rotates and weekend stock thins by mid-afternoon.
Worth the queue: Seasonal fruit tarts
saint-pierreTue-Sat 07:30-19:00Walk-in onlyFamily viennoiserie
Maison Zurcher on Place du Pradeau is the family-run artisanal patisserie in central Bordeaux, with viennoiseries, breads and a quietly excellent croissant.
Tip: Almond croissants come out around 09:00 and sell out by 11:00 on Saturdays; the queue at opening is genuine.
Worth the queue: Croissant aux amandes
golden-triangleMon-Sat 09:00-20:00, Sun 09:00-19:30Walk-in onlyCannele de Bordeaux
Baillardran in Bordeaux's Golden Triangle is the canele specialist on Cours de l'Intendance since 1988, with the city's most-quoted version.
Tip: Buy two sizes, the small and the regular; eat the regular the day of purchase and freeze the small for later.
Worth the queue: Cannele de Bordeaux
golden-triangleMon-Sun 09:00-19:30Walk-in onlyCannele de Bordeaux
La Toque Cuivree in Bordeaux is the Place Gambetta canele house with multiple boutiques across the city, the most enduring head-to-head competitor.
Tip: The minis are great for sharing; the gluten-free version is a serious effort and stocks early on Saturdays.
Worth the queue: Cannele de Bordeaux
saint-pierreMon-Sun 10:00-19:00Walk-in onlyCannele and pastries
Cassonade in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the canele shop under the Grosse Cloche on Rue Saint-James, the third major canele house alongside Baillardran and La.
Tip: Open daily 10:00 to 19:00 at the Grosse Cloche; the chocolate variations are not traditional but worth trying once.
Worth the queue: Cannele de Bordeaux
saint-pierreTue-Sat 09:00-19:00Walk-in onlyModern patisserie
Pierre Mathieu Patissier Bordelais on Place Pey Berland is the namesake chef's modern patisserie, opened March 2018 after his five-year run as executive.
Tip: Show up before 11:00 for the Saint-Honore; the Pave Pey-Berland (almond cream, sweet-wine fruit, rum, almond paste) is the signature created for the cathedral square.
Worth the queue: Pave Pey-Berland