Ladurée Champs-Elysées

Who hasn't heard of the famous macaroons of Ladurée? Or at least know of the term macaroon and know that it makes reference to a small French confectionery of fine patisserie, of which the origin dates back to the eighteenth century; and also that it is made from egg whites, ground almonds, icing sugar and sugar. In it's centre is hidden a filling of sophisticated taste.

In order for you to understand... It is like a cake made of diamonds - exquisite but expensive. Ever since I laid eyes on the place that makes the best macaroons in the world: La Durée, I have been told that I have an 'expensive taste'.

In order to familiarise ourselves a little with the history of this franchise, we need to go back to 1862, when the mill owner Louis Ernest Ladurée opened his first bakery in the centre of the French capital. After a fire ten years later, the bakery turned into a patisserie. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Ladurée's wife proposed combining the patisserie with a café and this is how one of the first tearooms in Paris was born. The first Ladurée as we know it today was established in the exclusive avenue of the Champs Elysees in 1997, decorated by Jacques García.

Little by little, the catering company was expanding it's horizons and opening new stores in London (it was the first to open abroad in 2005), Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Libanon, The United States and Japan, always bringing along with it the emblem of national fame, the macaroon. One of it's most famous, is the pastry chef - Philippe Andrieu.

Additionally, in la Maison du Macaron celebrations of luxury are held - business events, weddings and all types of reunions that require patisserie of a high quality. Not only do we encounter all types of confectioneries that I mentioned a little more above, but you can also find souvenirs, recipe books, pottery, kitchen utensils such as aprons etc... This is what I found in Ladurée de Versalles. He has even created his own range of beauty and home ware products. The fortune and creativity of this company has no limits.

For those who are a little more reluctant towards the macaroon... Don't worry because out of it's immense variety of products, it also offers frozen deserts, those with fruit, tarts and tartlets, custard, cream, puddings, cakes, buns, biscuits, pastries, butter cakes...

However, I recommend (or in better put, oblige you) to try the master recipes such as macaroons, a delicacy which you can try in all flavours imaginable: coffee, rose petal, violet, pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, liquorice, lemon, raspberry, orange flower, red fruit, mango, bergamot, caramel... and each season they release new flavours.

So prepare your tastebuds! And your pockets too because each macaroon is around 2 euros. Although there are offers which include packs of a variety of macaroons in very cute boxes. I also emphasize that the average price for a coffee is 5 euros...

Despite the fact that I have visited several macaroon shops, even including other firms such as Pierre Hermé and Christophe Roussel, I would without a doubt choose Ladurée and more specifically the Champs Elysée... After a long day of shopping on the most exclusive Parisian avenue, there is nothing like ending the day at one of it's tables surrounded by decorations reminiscent of palace halls.

A visit which never fails me in my list of things to do in Paris.

I think most of you have already heard about this beautiful cafe in Paris but I want to also say something. Paris have 4 Cafe de Flores in whole city as I saw and searched for it. And whenever you go this cafes, you have to wait for a long queue to get a macaron. And it's not so special I have to say but if you have much time to wait for it you should taste it. It's not a so long queue but many people may not want to wait for 10 minutes to get a macaron. So here's a solution for you : GET 2 MACARONS. And yes try coconut whether if you don't like I don't mind you must taste it. It's amazing and so fresh. And you can ask for some deserts with no sugar. That's the best thing about it. One is at Champs Elysées and one is near the Madaleine. You should try everything inside but you probably don't have such a big stomache. But if you do, you're so lucky...

Source

Paris is known for its gastronomy. The French culture is all about eating well and fancy. They don't have fast-foods, but boulangeries (local bakeries), they don't eat sandwiches, but baguettes or croque-monsieur, they don't have pancakes but crèpes, and when it comes to sweets, there are so many options you can't count. Pain au chocolat, Escargot de Nutella, Éclair, Tartes... all of them delicious.

Among all of those, the most traditional sweet is the macaron: an almond cookie stuffed with ganache. They come in different colours and flavours, but the basis is the same.

Almost every bakery in Paris has it's own version of macarons, but the original one are Ladurée.

History

Although it is a french sweet, the macarons are inspired by an italian cookie: amarreti, which explains the name (macaron is an italian word for a type of pasta). It was brought to France in the 16th century and largely consumed by the monarchy.

But it was only in the 20th century that it became a truly french delicacy, when the baker Pierre Ladurée put two cookies together and stuffed them with creamy chocolate ganache. Amazing!

From then on the sweet became more popular and almost a French symbol. Ladurée opened many stores in France and its macarons are now a must eat in Paris.

The store

The most famous store opened by Ladurée is at Champs-Elysées avenue, the most important street in Paris, where you'll find many other luxury stores and fancy restaurants, as well as historical monuments such as Arc du Triomphe and Place de la Concorde (one in each edge of the avenue).

The Ladurée store in Champs-Elysée is a copy of the original one, that used to be on rue Royale. It was built in 1997 and attracts hundreds of people every day, looking for macarron tasting.

It is truly a boutique of sweets. With fancy chandeliers, and macarrons disposed in shop windows, you'll feel in a luxury bakery.

There are other Laudurée stores in the city, but this one is the most beautiful.

You can get there by subway. The closest station is Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9). The store opens every day from 7:30 am to 11 pm.

During the morning and afternoon, it is a great place for having a coffee. At night it has a fancy bar to buy drinks. But at any time of the day you can (and must) have a macaron.

Each macaron costs 2 euros, but you can buy boxes with larger number for a smaller price per unity.

Although it can be expensive for a little sweet, it is more than just food, but a gastronomy experience. Totally worth it and delicious. If you're in Paris, don't miss it!