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
Oh My! What delicious photographs! 🙂 Now I want one too – And I don’t even know what macarons taste like! 😀
So colourful and delicious, Madhu! A very yummy post – just what one needs before breakfast 🙂
Now I am salivating and wanting a WHOLE box of macaroons, what will I do???
Then you would have enjoyed Brussels the chocolate capital of the world in your travels.
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-
I was just in paris last june and I miss it already.
mouthwateringly sumptuous … and so delightful for the eye … thanks for your tips!
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!
I must say I can’t understand what all the fuss is about with macaro(o)ns, but they do make good photos!
Make me smile just looking at these photos 🙂