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.
Katie
October 11, 2011
The packaging is amazing.
cassie
October 11, 2011
Love it. So colorful and the packaging is great.
bex
October 11, 2011
You’ll have to have a second category for which packaging is most elaborate and lovely. (i think Laduree wins this time)
Cecilia
October 11, 2011
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.
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
October 11, 2011
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!
Sarah @ Designsgood
October 11, 2011
That sounds like the perfect afternoon!
mia
October 11, 2011
passé.
introduce to something in paris that has already been beaten to DEATH!
sharon
October 11, 2011
oh michelle!! love you guys!!
Maggie
October 11, 2011
I like this happy thing an awful lot!
Julie [FerociousOstrich]
October 11, 2011
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.
Brigette
October 11, 2011
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!
Manding
October 11, 2011
omg. this is my number one reason why i need to visit paris. honestly. nomnomnom !
Meg
October 11, 2011
This is quite possibly the cutest post I have ever seen.
Lola
October 11, 2011
I can almost taste them. The colors of those macarons make me smile.
Haley
October 11, 2011
I wish I lived in paris! this looks amazing.
Kellie Martiensen
October 11, 2011
Oh! I’m jealous and my mouth is watering. You are living a good life, Jordan 🙂
Kel x
Kathy
October 11, 2011
I wish to do this one day. And there is no such thing as OD-ing on macarons.
Kathy
October 11, 2011
I wish to do this one day. For the meantime, I’m envious. And there is no such thing as OD-ing on macarons.
Pâtisserie Paris
October 11, 2011
I like the same Laduree/Pierre Herme combination except I prefer taking the rue bonaparte route to the Luxembourg gardens 🙂
aspasia
October 11, 2011
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!
Libby B.
October 11, 2011
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 🙂
Serena
October 11, 2011
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!
Natalie
October 11, 2011
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.
nadia
October 12, 2011
Oh My ..They are my favorites :))) Dying for them !!!
Jillian
October 12, 2011
It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it!
Eliza
October 12, 2011
I’ve never had a macaron – they almost look too perfect to eat!
Great post!
http://buenodia.com/
Rebecca
October 12, 2011
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!!
Lape
October 12, 2011
Hi Jordan,
I love the contrast of the bright nails against the black Laduree box. Pretty 🙂
Eve
October 12, 2011
So? which one do you prefer? Pierre Hermé or Ladurée? hey hey 🙂
Elizabeth
October 12, 2011
I had a dream about macarons last night…..this is a sign.
Tory
October 12, 2011
I’m dying to know…..Who won? 🙂
Smith & Ratliff
October 12, 2011
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!
angela hardison
October 12, 2011
yet another reason i need to get myself to paris!
teresa
October 12, 2011
Now that would be a happy Day…..
Tiffany
October 12, 2011
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.
Chandra
October 12, 2011
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!
Jenni
October 12, 2011
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.
Kacie
October 12, 2011
Yum! This is one of my favorite posts from you ever! Love macarons. So delicious and lovely.
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
Lauren at TwIn Style
October 12, 2011
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!
Michelle A
October 12, 2011
They were both delicious, but Pierre Herme is where I’ll be spending my money. Knocked my socks off.
Phuong
October 12, 2011
Both are good…I love a few flavors from each shop but you cannot beat Laduree’s packaging 🙂
http://littlerandomhappiness.blogspot.com/
Sarah
October 13, 2011
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!
Jennifer
October 13, 2011
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!
Tara
October 14, 2011
With only once macaron maker in Rhode Island my research is pretty limited but I do my best!
Jennifer
October 14, 2011
Laduree wins, except in the salted caramel category.
heating services rock hill
October 14, 2011
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!!
Hannah
October 14, 2011
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!
Kristina Gulino
October 16, 2011
Simply, yum.
Kristina
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