Ukraine brings croissants to France

It may seem rather like bringing coals to Newcastle, but in February this year, the Ukrainian bakery-café chain Lviv Croissants made its entry into the French market by opening its first branch in the glitzy Riviera city of Cannes.  

Established in 2015, Lviv Croissants has grown quickly, with more than 196 locations across Poland, Slovakia, the United States and the Czech Republic. It is known for its freshly baked croissants with both sweet and savoury fillings.  

To cater to French tastes, the menu at Cannes includes fillings such as goat’s cheese, honey and nuts, mortadella, pear and gorgonzola, raclette cheese and cured ham. The branch, on the Rue d’Antibes, is operated by local franchisees who also own a Michelin-starred restaurant in the region. 

Lviv Croissants’ expansion into France reflects a broader trend of Ukrainian businesses seeking growth opportunities in Western Europe. Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, many Ukrainian enterprises have focused on entering central and western European markets, initially serving displaced Ukrainians but increasingly targeting local customers for sustainable growth.  

After Cannes, Lviv Croissants plans to open in Nice and Aix-en-Provence this year, with ten new locations per year pencilled in after that. The final aim is for 100 stores across France. 

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