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Paris : How to order a Baguette in French


how to order a baguette in French everyday Parisian

How to Order a Baguette in French

Last month I introduced a new series on the blog with Carrie Anne from French is Beautiful. The first post took you to a boulangerie and the five different pastries you can order. We are returning to the boulangerie to teach you about ordering a baguette this month. Did you know you can order baguettes based on how much you want it cooked? I prefer mine “pas trop cuite” not too cooked. The softer, the better. If you get a warm baguette fresh out of the oven in the morning, add salted butter, and well, it’s pretty much heaven. For your next trip to Paris, here is how to order a baguette and all the vocab you need to navigate a boulangerie.


how to order a baguette in French everyday Parisian

vocab featured in this photo: levain = yeast, au levain = sourdough, Parisse = an exclusive baguette offered by a distinguished group of selected boulangers

Ordering atĀ la boulangerieĀ can be a stressful experience, especially in Paris, because of its buzzing energy during specific hours.

If you go after work (the best time to go as the bread has probably just come out of the oven) or during lunch, there will likely be a (long) line of (hurried) Parisians waiting to pay a (very impatient)Ā waitperson.

No need to stress, however! Simply follow the below dialogue to purchaseĀ la baguetteĀ of your dreams in French, the French way.


paris boulangerie how to order a baguette in French

If there is a line, wait patiently and attentively. Know what you wish to purchase and stay alert as the line moves quickly thanks to the impressive efficiency of the madam or monsieur at the caisse (cash register).

And if you are unsure what you want and need time to keep looking before hopping in line, say ‘Allez-y‘ to the monsieur or madamĀ who enters the boulangerie after you.


how to order a baguette in french with every day parisian paris boulangerie

How to Order a Baguette in French

When it’s your turn, follow the below script…et voilĆ  !

First, always:

Bonjour, madame ! (Bonjour, monsieur !) | Hello, madam! (Hello, sir!)

Next, 2 examples of what you might ask for and their variants:

1)Ā La baguette

Une baguette tradition, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | One traditional baguette, please.

[This type is my preferred. According to a law passed in 1993, it can only contain flour, water, leaven and salt. It is around 1/3 more expensive than a classique. Its full name is la baguette de tradition franƧaiseĀ and is sometimes called une baguette traditionnelle,Ā or simply une tradition / une traditionnelle.]

Deux baguettes classiques, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | Two regular baguettes, please.

Deux baguettes tradition et une baguette classique, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | Two traditional baguettes and one regular baguette, please.

Sa cuissonĀ – How much it is cooked

Oui, that’s right – it is perfectly fine for you to ask for the exact kind of baguette that you prefer – do it politely…and quickly šŸ˜‰

Une baguette, pas trop cuite, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | One baguette, not too cooked, please.

Une baguette,Ā bien cuite, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | One baguette,Ā well-cooked, please.

How to Order Bread in a Paris Boulangerie

2)Ā La boule de campagne –Ā featured in this photo.

Une boule de campagne, s’il vous plaĆ®t. | One round loaf, please.

[BoulesĀ do not dry out as quickly as baguettesĀ thanks to their shape.]

En tranche ?Ā Sliced?

If you order one of these, you can also ask for it to be coupĆ©e,Ā tranchĆ©eĀ or en tranche – sliced. An experienced salesperson will offer to cut it for you before you even have the chance to ask – listen for those key words and reply oui or non.

Then, after they askĀ ‘Et avecĀ ceciĀ ?’ (And with that?) or ‘Ƈa sera tout ?’ (Will that be everything?):
Oui, merci.

Non, je prends aussi une baguette / une boule / trois croissants, s’il vous plaĆ®t. |Ā No, I’ll also have a baguette / a round loaf / three croissants, please.

[When ordering at la boulangerie, we ask for what we would like one item at a time, allowing the person helping us to grab each item and place it at la caisseĀ with ease – one item at a time.]

After paying, always close the experience with:

Merci madame/monsieur. Bonne journƩe ! / Bonne soirƩe ! | Thank you, madam/sir. Have a great day! / Have a great evening!


how to order a baguette in french with every day Parisian baguettes in paris @rebeccaplotnick


Vocabulary for Paris Boulangerie.png


Photo of Carrie Anne by  Haleigh Walsworth

About Carrie Anne

Photo of Carrie Anne by Haleigh Walsworth

About Carrie Anne &Ā French is Beautiful

While teaching French, she was inspired to create modern, engaging Paris-dreaming content for French-loving Francophiles. Determined to demystify the French language for inspired French-lovers, she created a collection of online group courses for devoted Francophiles and digital audio programs for inspiring travelers to guide anglophones to a level of fluency beyond their French dreams. Since her move to Paris in 2015, the French is Beautiful offering now includes group classes and cultural activities in France.

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  1. Salut! Do you have recommendations for cafĆ©s, bakeries for croissants and baguettes, restaurants on the west side of Paris — closer to the *8th arr? Merci!

  2. I love your blog and THANK you for this! I don’t know about others but I’m sorta shocked to find that some French people eat salted butter (same thing in Mah’s "Mastering the Art of French Eating" when she talks about buckwheat crepes). When I first got to Europe decades ago, I found and learned to eat non-salted butter and still love it/prefer it. Have things changed that much?

    • Hi Jennifer,

      Salted butter like Bordier butter has been around for a while. I first found the salted flaked butter after moving to Paris. I never knew butter like this until Paris. It may be a trend that has started since your original trip to Paris. I think it is all a personal preference šŸ™‚

  3. Also able to order only have a baguette! ā€œDemi baguette sil vous plait!ā€ Handy for when youā€™re just getting one for yourself as I found they go stale very quickly!

    • yes! A demi is always a great option. They do go stale quickly and I have broken a tooth on a bad baguette once.