To look at the fluffy, golden croissants at Du Pain et des Idées as they emerge steaming from the oven, you would never guess that French baking is in crisis - but it is. 'They...

Spanish hams here have the Bellota-Bellota label, meaning that the pigs have been allowed to feast on acorns. Manager Philippe Poulachon compares his cured hams (€98 a kilo) to...

Pastry superstar Hermé attracts connoisseurs from St-Germain and afar with his seasonal collections.

Apollonia Poilâne runs the family shop, where locals queue for fresh country miches, flaky-crusted apple tarts and buttery shortbread biscuits.

Look out for the strawberry-and-lychee flavoured bonheur and the chocolate-and-thyme récif.

José Da Rosa sourced ingredients for top restaurants before filling his own shop with Spanish hams, Olivier Roellinger spices and Luberon truffles.

A 1960s legend, Drugstore Publicis was clad with neon swirls by architect Michele Saee following a renovation in 2004; a glass-and-steel café stretches out on to the pavement....

The city's most famous food shop is worth a visit, particularly for the beautifully packaged gift items.

This motherly, yellow-fronted shop, in business since 1946, stocks dense Jewish cakes filled with poppy seeds, apples or cream cheese.

Gérard Mulot rustles up stunning pastries. Try the mabillon: caramel mousse with apricot marmalade.

Michel Cousin bakes up to 23 different types of organic loaf in his wood-fired oven - varieties include the flutiot (rye bread with raisins, walnuts and hazelnuts), the sarment...

Dominique Saibron uses spices to give inimitable flavour to his organic sourdough boule. Every day about 2,000 bread-lovers visit this boutique, which also produces one of the...

Shelves groan under stuffed aubergines, halva, falafel and all manner of Middle Eastern delicacies.

Moisan's organic bread, viennoiseries and rustic tarts are outstanding. At this branch, situated by the market, there's always a healthy queue snaking out the door.