It seems to me like the whole world and its brother, considers Ladurée the Mecca of fine macarons. I personally know several people whose only request to friends visiting Paris, is to bring back a box of Ladurée goodies.
So off I went to Ladurée on our first trip a few years ago, with the greatest expectation of tasting my first ever sandwich macarons. I walked out bewildered by all the hype! There might be a sacrilegious trip report floating out there somewhere, where I swore off macarons forever. (Confident in the knowledge that at the time, there were none to be had at home in any case, apart from the cardamom flavoured, cashew meringue rocks from Mangalore, that we call macaroons.)
Fast forward to this past summer, when I tracked down Georges Larnicol based on an online lead, and I had to eat my words. Not even Pierre Herme’s macarons came close (that’s double blashphemy!!) to Georges’ fabulous, feather light, pastel discs, encasing the most tantalising fillings you can think of!
Georges is a chocolatier, better known for his Kouignettes – his version of the flaky, syrup soaked Breton butter cake, Kouign Amann – that were too sweet and sticky for my liking. His confectionery however is mind blowing! And his artistic skill evident in the row upon row of sculpted chocolate figures. But for me his macarons, with their sherbet hues and delicate flavours, were the highlight, making this Marais chocolaterie a mandatory daily stop.
Georges Larnicol Boutiques in Paris:
Marais: 14 rue de Rivoli, 75004
(Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; closed Sunday)
Saint Germaine: 132 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006
(Hours: Every day, 9am-11pm)
Related Posts:
Paris – A Moveable Feast
Paris – L’ancien Et Le Moderne
A Sunday In Paris
The Urge To Wander 
I’m addicted – I always visit the one in London!
There is a Georges Larnicol in London??? Then he is more famous than I thought!
No sorry, Laduree…
I guessed 🙂
The photos are mouth-watering! We tried the Laduree macarons and without much else for comparison thought they were wonderful but now I must get back to try these!
I am always looking for excuses to return Kat. Keep thinking one more visit should get it out of my system 🙂
A little macaron sure does go a long way! Gorgeous shots of these jewels Madhu!
Thanks Patti. We would buy a half dozen of the smaller ones every day to the amusement of the salesperson 🙂
Oh Madhu, you’ve got me salivating! We made the same discovery and nearly swooned. I’m just counting the days until we go back! 🙂 Beautiful (and mouthwatering) post. ~Terri
Thanks Terri. Are you going back soon? So envious 🙂
We’re heading to Eastern Europe on the 17th, but unfortunately we’ll miss Paris this trip. Hopefully next. 🙂 ~Terri
Have a great time 🙂
So colourful and delicious at the same time!
I think your eyes fall in love before you taste them 🙂
Great shots Madhu. They looks soooo delicious! 😀
They were!!! Thanks Sonel 🙂
What a beautiful looking shop! I am in love with all the colours 🙂
Isn’t it? There was just not enough time to try out all the goodies there.
Oh my goodness I can feel the pounds piling on just by looking at your sumptuous photos! I think one would probably be enough for me 🙂
He he he, I go on a diet before I go to Paris ;-D
I find it’s like that when I go to Italy or Spain, their pastry and confectionary shops are equally fattening to the eyes, and of course absolutely delicious to look at and to eat!
Last year I got to visit one particular confectioners in my mother’s home town in southern Spain, I haven’t been there since I was a child. But they still did my favourite sticky meringue cakes, and the taste just took me back instantly to when I was seven years old. Just for that the whole trip was worth it!
I can imagine. That is soul food 🙂
Once in every 30 odd years seems about right though! 🙂
🙂
You have such a marvellous blog Madhu, a veritable feast for the eyes, and not just when you photograph macaroons. I keep catching glimpses of that ancient Egyptian ship in your side bar, how lucky you are to have seen that. Egypt must be soon to be top of my travel list I think 🙂
Thank you! Egypt is one of my all time favourite places. Breaks my heart to watch what is happening there.
Yes it’s terrible, but in some ways the rules governing archaeology have relaxed because of the social unrest, and they’ve discovered yet more pyramids that had been hidden under the desert sand, and a whole new temple just off the Great Pyramid itself which is now undergoing excavation. It would never have been discovered before the troubles, not that it justifies the horror, but I think it’s just part of the changes that are happening there.
You get pleasure just looking at those colors – knowing their taste… well…YUM YUM!!!
🙂
Absolutely, a feast for all ones senses 🙂
And I understand they taste as pretty as they look 🙂
Perhaps better 😉
They look divine, I’ m so jealous
Make me smile just looking at these photos 🙂
I must say I can’t understand what all the fuss is about with macaro(o)ns, but they do make good photos!
Those little coloured disc macaroons look wonderful but in my view they have little flavour. I was encouraged to try ones from a chain in Sydney everyone was raving about but like the French jobbies, they had little flavour too.
I try and seek out the larger discs, far more peasant than Parisien, sweeter and flavoured with almond or coconut. I’m going to make some tomorrow!
GR8 blog!
mouthwateringly sumptuous … and so delightful for the eye … thanks for your tips!
I was just in paris last june and I miss it already.
Great post, Madhu. I think I gained two pounds just looking at the photos :). I thank you though for sharing them. As long as I can’t get to them, I think I’m safe. -Max-
Then you would have enjoyed Brussels the chocolate capital of the world in your travels.
Now I am salivating and wanting a WHOLE box of macaroons, what will I do???
So colourful and delicious, Madhu! A very yummy post – just what one needs before breakfast 🙂
Oh My! What delicious photographs! 🙂 Now I want one too – And I don’t even know what macarons taste like! 😀
Delicious post!
Oh, Madhu, I love your unaffected blasphemy…and I’m on your page, most macaroons I have tried remain a feast for the eyes only! 😉
Wow!!!!!! (that’s all I can say)
I’m not into macarons nevertheless, the pics are mouth watering 🙂 My children – all three of them – love macarons.
All good wishes Madhu,
Eric
Love the colours, I’m not the biggest fan of macarons but will have ti give these a try.
Damn … sure that reading about “chocolate & related” (just after drinking a cup of espresso) gave me a huge desire for sweets!
Unfortunately I haven’t tasted the creations of “chocolatiers” that you mention, but for me Läderach Swiss is and will remain the best!
A big hug (slowly I restart visiting the web) 😀 claudine
Hi.. this is an amazing coverage..being in F& B myself, my taste buds are awakened yet again..period..gungho..!!
Hmm… delicious:D
They almost seem too pretty to eat. I haven’t tried these particular macarons, but in general, don’t care for them. Maybe I just haven’t had “the good stuff.”
love these colorful pics and make me hungry tho I would say 🙂
Oh my, I am hungry now! Lovely pics Madhu
oh all those fine macarons!
Ok, now you’ve done it Madhu! I may have to rearrange my traveling list to accommodate tasting these little jewels. 🙂
no matter how they taste…the pictures are mighty pretty !
Very inspiring captured photos – Georges Larnicol have as far as I know 22 stores in France – outside France it is selected retailers who sell his product range – I has only been in the Menton one and the one in Rennes – some of the things are too sweet for my taste – but there are many delights… 🙂
A delicious tribute to Macarons :D. Spectacular photos too!
so many colors and yummy 🙂
I feel like just wanting to grab those treats looking at the pictures, and then just eat my iPad now. And I promise I won’t leave any crumbs. 😀
They look delicious!!…and the colors are just delightful!