Happy Things in Paris: Macaron Research
One of my favorite things to do when friends come into town (or occasionally by myself) is to do a macaron taste test. There are fantastic macarons all over Paris. But two of the well-known macaron shops: Laduree and Pierre Hermé are just a block or two from each other. So I started a tradition of getting a box of macarons from both stores and then taking them across the street to the Tuileries to do “research.” Start at Laduree, 16 Rue Royale 75008 Paris. I usually get their box of eight. The line is always long but moves pretty quickly. I don’t love all their flavors so I recommend choosing your own instead of letting the shop person pick them out. Then walk around the corner down Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré taking a right on Rue Cambon to get to Pierre Hermé, 4 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris. Get their box of seven. Then walk across the street to the Tuileries and find yourself some nice green chairs to relax in. You can cut them with a knife or just break them apart with your hands and let everyone get a small bite of each flavor. Then continue tasting until the macarons are gone or you OD on them, whichever comes first.
all photos by Oh Happy Day
Read about all my happy things to do in Paris right here.
Category: happy thing: paris, paris: things to do, paris: things to eat
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Oh Happy Day is a party and lifestyle blog based in San Francisco. We just moved back after spending a year in Paris, France. We love to throw parties and make things!
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The packaging is amazing.
Love it. So colorful and the packaging is great.
You’ll have to have a second category for which packaging is most elaborate and lovely. (i think Laduree wins this time)
OoooohhH! When i ve been in saint germain I found La Duree closed, so i couldn t taste those amazing flavours! Recently I bought the book of recipes, which is very very veryyy nice! I ll try one day to cook some macarons with Laduree tips! Thanks for taking us to walk around with you, c.
Lovely. I love macarons- I made some at the weekend which were quite successful (surprisingly for me!), but obviously Parisian macarons win hands down.
I’m so excited to check out your tips for when we head to Paris in February!
That sounds like the perfect afternoon!
passé.
introduce to something in paris that has already been beaten to DEATH!
oh michelle!! love you guys!!
I like this happy thing an awful lot!
I’ve never had a macaron. I know, blasphemy of all blasphemies. But they look so terribly precious, and everyone loves them so much–I definitely feel like I’m missing out!
I love those little boxes they come in. I’d buy them just for that.
this looks divine! my birthday was the first and i told my boyfriend all i wanted to do was sit in a park with french macarons. so we got a bottle of champagne and some macarons, and it was perfection!
omg. this is my number one reason why i need to visit paris. honestly. nomnomnom !
This is quite possibly the cutest post I have ever seen.
I can almost taste them. The colors of those macarons make me smile.
I wish I lived in paris! this looks amazing.
Oh! I’m jealous and my mouth is watering. You are living a good life, Jordan
Kel x
I wish to do this one day. And there is no such thing as OD-ing on macarons.
I wish to do this one day. For the meantime, I’m envious. And there is no such thing as OD-ing on macarons.
I like the same Laduree/Pierre Herme combination except I prefer taking the rue bonaparte route to the Luxembourg gardens
Whie Laduree and Pierre Herme have lovely macarons, I like the ones at Dalloyau in Place de la Bastille the best. The Caramel au beurre sale and The Bergamote are ridiculously good!
My first (and only!) time to Paris was when I studied abroad. I made sure Laduree was on the agenda! My fellow traveler laughed at me when I gingerly packed up the lavender and light green package but I am so happy I did! I love remembering my Parisian macaron experience
I am booked to travel to Paris next May and have bookmarked this page as a must do when I’m there! Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Day 2: Versailles, Day 3: Macaron Research
Thanks for the great post!
If I could choose how to die it would definitely be by ODing on Macarons. What a divine way to embrace the next phase of existence.
Oh My ..They are my favorites
)) Dying for them !!!
It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it!
I’ve never had a macaron – they almost look too perfect to eat!
Great post!
http://buenodia.com/
You inspired me to make the macarons I made for this 15th bday party (http://www.adailysomething.com/2011/10/celebrate-with-elegant-photo-shoot.html) AND I used the recipe you posted when you made them. Thanks for more macaron love!!
Hi Jordan,
I love the contrast of the bright nails against the black Laduree box. Pretty
So? which one do you prefer? Pierre Hermé or Ladurée? hey hey
I had a dream about macarons last night…..this is a sign.
I’m dying to know…..Who won?
This post made me laugh! I love the idea of macaron “research.”
I’m partial to Pierre Hermé myself, but we live right around the corner from a little tea parlor whose chef worked at Ladurée for a long time—he can make some pretty tasty macarons!
yet another reason i need to get myself to paris!
Now that would be a happy Day…..
Oh, how I do hope the leaves are still golden when we arrive in a few weeks! Looks absolutely glorious against those beautiful macarons! My favorite thing to do as well! Have you tried making them yet? It’s probably one of my most proudest moments in the kitchen.
I love Laduree’s coconut, lemon thyme, and blackcurrant violet. These were from the shop on Rue Bonaparte. I purchased a gift box of 15 for my twin sister back home and my husband kept them safe on his lap on the plane rides back to California. We are dying for some more!
I always recommend this to the students in my macaron class. The Galleries Lafayette and Printemps is another location with both Pierre Herme and Laduree close teach other, but unfortunately not so close to a nice park to sit in and enjoy them.
Yum! This is one of my favorite posts from you ever! Love macarons. So delicious and lovely.
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
Ohmahdearlord, those look amazing. I’ve only ever had a macaron once, at a Belgian restaurant in Chicago. No idea how authentic it was, but it was tasty!
They were both delicious, but Pierre Herme is where I’ll be spending my money. Knocked my socks off.
Both are good…I love a few flavors from each shop but you cannot beat Laduree’s packaging
http://littlerandomhappiness.blogspot.com/
I was in Paris in August and went to Laduree. I tried the mint strawberry, blackcurrant violet, and salted caramel. All were good, but I thought the salted caramel was the best.
By the way, that Paris Guide that a friend sent you for your honeymoon, was the best thing ever. I used it every single day during my five days in Paris and loved every suggestion. Especially Le Petit Prince!
C’est parfait! My sister and I arrived in Paris a couple of days ago and already had our minds set on Laduree. Now we have amended our plan to replicate your bit of research. BTW were visiting the flea market too, courtesy of you. Thanks for the tips!
[...] geez, while i’m at it, this. the BEST kind of [...]
[...] “Oh Happy Day” has a colorful Macaron Tuileries Tasting. [...]
With only once macaron maker in Rhode Island my research is pretty limited but I do my best!
Laduree wins, except in the salted caramel category.
What an awesome list! I feel like no matter how long you are in Paris you could not see everything… there is SO much to see. What an amazing city!!
I recommend the macaron class at La Cuisine Paris (http://lacuisineparis.com/). I took the class in September while visiting Paris, and it was terrific!
Simply, yum.
Kristina
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