One of the secret reasons I was so excited to go to Paris was so I could eat macarons whenever I wanted – they are not readily available here in Delaware – at least not fresh (that I’ve found anyway – please, I beg a fellow Delawarean to prove me wrong, I beg you!!!). The closest place to me that sells them gets them shipped from NYC – they are good, don’t get me wrong, but you can tell they aren’t super fresh. So, I was ready to begin the search for my perfect macaron. No Paris food guide is complete without a mention of Ladurée – the most famous macaron and pastry shop in Paris since 1862. The pictures made it look like something out of a sugary, pastel dream, and this was high on my list of places to visit in Paris!
Something happened to me when I entered the shop for the very first time. I don’t know how to explain it other than compare it to love at first sight. Row after row of colorful macarons, picture perfect pastries, and then there were souvenirs, Ladurée logo items!! All sorts of things, very interesting, the shopaholic in me was thinking. And then I saw the cookbooks. I collect cookbooks and as impractical as this velvet lined cookbook appeared, I needed it. And then I saw the keychain priced comparably to the cookbook…then the zipper pouch…then the candle…then the scarf. There was something about the beautiful pastel colors – their signature green, purple, blue, pink. It felt so feminine and delicate and luxurious, the care with which the items were packaged. Hmm, I was going to have to plan my shopping strategy carefully since the hubs had some serious sticker shock. And this was all while standing in line to purchase our first Ladurée macarons.
Forget the pastries, I didn’t even try one – I was in full on macaron mode. Macarons on the brain – all day, every day. Macarons are tricky little buggers – I couldn’t get enough. I may be considered a little boring with my flavor choices – I stick to vanilla, caramel and lemon variations. Occasionally we came across a pumpkin flavor, but otherwise those are my go-to flavors. Matt branched out a little more, but as we visited more patisseries, I stuck to those flavors so I could compare. Maybe I’m biased because I was intoxicated with the atmosphere at Ladurée, but they did turn out to be my favorite. And not thinking that I may write a blog post about this, I didn’t bother to make note of the others we tried. There wasn’t a bad macaron to be had though – all had the perfect contrast between creamy filling and the shell, and there’s something special about how the shells break when you bite into them – so delicate. Nothing that beautiful and delicate can be unpleasant, can it?? (This orange I’m currently eating is becoming less and less satisfying as I write this.) We didn’t dine in any of the restaurants, but we did stop at the bar at the Champs-Elysees location for drinks. I should’ve expected the gorgeous art deco interior – stained glass covered walls in gorgeous pale blues and greens. You can order macarons at the bar to accompany your beverage or choose from one of their macaron inspired cocktails (outrageously priced – have you noticed the theme here)!
Aside from being awestruck, there was something I noticed while waiting in a very long line during one of our visits; I observed a jar filled with broken or slightly imperfect macarons sitting on a back counter. What I can only imagine to be a trash/reject jar. Hopefully, the shop employees get to eat them afterhours or on their break. I wanted to save all the “unwanted” macarons because despite their subtle flaws, they would most certainly taste perfect. I felt sad for these imperfect macarons – they didn’t meet Ladurée’s impossibly high standards. Perfection in baking, ambiance, aesthetics, merchandising, packaging, etc.
I had to decide on a few souvenirs because, regrettably, I could not buy one of everything. I obviously needed a cookbook. I opted for the Savory version knowing full well I would get the others and complete my collection. I also picked up a keychain and a small zipper pouch which I’ve designated as my lip balm pouch in my purse. I carry too many lipglosses to fit in it, so lip balm was perfect. I would have my little Ladurée trinkets with me at all times! Yay!
I do regret not buying a ridiculously overpriced scarf so I could drape silken macarons around my neck, so every now and then I google just to see if their souvenirs are available on their website. Like the scarf. Or a tote or any of the items I had to pass up – note cards, cosmetic bags, books, candles, perfume, pens, erasers, etc. Lo and behold, LO AND BEHOLD…I stumbled upon something that I didn’t know existed…something that pulls at my heartstrings and only deepens my mysterious obsession with the Ladurée brand. They created A MAKEUP LINE. That’s right, a makeup line – Les Merveilleuses Ladurée. Be still my heart. Ladurée, just take my money. I’m speechless. And in true Ladurée fashion, (it’s really pricey and) the packaging is GORGEOUS. This just reminds me of Marie Antoinette – cosmetics fit for a queen. And I want it ALL. Matt was not as excited to hear this news and perhaps a little grateful that I chose to splurge on a new Le Creuset pot recently which is preventing me from buying the ever practical rose petal shaped blush and blush pot (sold separately, of course). And thus is the appeal of Ladurée …feminine, delicate, and luxurious.
I immediately began to kick myself for missing out on this while in Paris mere months ago, but I began to research and the makeup line was first released in Japan and has only recently made its way to a few of the Paris shops. So, I'm going to pretend it wasn't there when I was in Paris (even though I think was - boooo). I think it will eventually be sold in the rest of Europe and then hopefully the United States. Who knows how long that will take…anyone heading to Paris or Japan anytime soon?!?! I will give you my lengthy shopping list!! Curious to see how this product line unfolds…my closest Ladurée is in New York City! A perfect location to pilot the cosmetics in the US, don’t you think? They just opened a Ladurée Tea Salon is SoHo and online macaron ordering is on its way, so makeup must be next, right?!?! Has anyone had the opportunity to try the Ladurée makeup line??
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