plus macarons, s’il vous plaît!
Ahhh, Paris. Of all the things I miss since returning on Tuesday–walking along the Seine, a snow covered Jardin du Luxembourg, and life in the 6th arrondissement–the thing I’ve missed most this week is the food.
As mentioned, I’m not really a sweets girl… but in Paris, that all changes. I could live on Nutella crepes and macarons and pain au chocolat, it’s true. And now, after my self-imposed taste test, I can happily announce that I could live specifically on Pierre Hermé macarons.
Let’s discuss.
On our first trip to Paris, we fell in love with Pierre Hermé. Right around the corner from our hotel, we waited in a long line and were convinced that we had found heaven on earth. But then! We returned stateside, and everyone was also suddenly obsessed with macarons (isn’t that always how it seems to work out?). Ladurée was the place to be and how had we not tried them when we had the chance! We had totally messed up. This time, we were determined to make things right.
On our first full day in Paris, we went for a stroll through our neighborhood and what to our wondering eyes should appear?
Oh, just a Ladurée LITERALLY around the corner from our hotel (closer than Pierre Hermé… we felt pretty dumb). In we went.
First impressions: +2. You can’t fight with something that’s been dishing out deliciousness since 1862. Also, +2 for maintaining the same branding. Like Orangina and Old Bay, we’re more likely to think something is better if it has an old timey label. Marketing whores, right here.
Adorableness of the store itself: +2 for displays and general Frenchiness, – 2 for creating carbon copies in NYC and Charles de Gaulle. It all makes it feel a little Epcot now.
Packaging: +5 for being pretty damn cute, though very girly.
Actual macarons: +10 for just being macarons and existing in this world. -2 for having slightly chewy, heavy shells. +2 for maintaining the traditional flavors. We ordered pistachio, framboise (my one true love), salted caramel, citron, and limon. -2 for the salted caramel because it was just too much. 0 for filling because there’s not enough to really make an impact but not too little to affect that macaron-yness (new word).
Though not disappointed by Ladurée, we were surprised to realize that they didn’t taste THAT different than the ones in New York… which did make it just a little disappointing. Like bagels and pizza in NYC, you should only be able to get the real thing in the real place, right? So, -5 for spreading their seed and attempting world domination.
Ladurée total: Um… guys, I’m really bad at the mental math, so this system was a horrible idea. Seriously, I just took out a calculator. And I wrote this all and now it’s too late to go back and delete and start over, right? Ugh, I think we’re at like… carry the one… 12? Someone check that.
With that, we moved along.
First impressions: 0. They don’t flaunt their roots, which makes me think they’re kind of the new kids on the block. But I’m not taking points away either because even newbies need a chance. -2 for branding because their sign looks kind of like a salon or beauty brand, no?
Adorableness of the store itself: 0 again. Pretty basic and they’re RULL cranky about taking photos inside the store. You know what, +2 for that, because it adds some authentic French stereotypes in the mix.
Packaging: +1 for switching up the shape–I thought the macarons looked so cute all stacked together. +1 for being less female-focused and making the men feel ok about carrying around delicate little cookies.
Actual macarons: +10, once again, just for being macarons, and +15 for the flavors. HOLY GOD, the flavors. Let’s talk about our order: milk chocolate & passion fruit, crème brûlée, “Jardin Enchanté” which was Espelette chilli pepper, lime zest and raspberry… like WHAT?! There were others that I don’t even remember because after I ate that I pretty much wanted to live inside a Jardin Enchanté macaron. Also, that’s totally glittery powder on the pink macaron on the left and the gold splattered chocolate to the right. Umm +35 for edible glitter powder. I’ll admit–at first we were slightly disappointed by their lack of traditional flavors, but after we ate this nonsense we were kicking ourselves for being so closed minded (ha no we weren’t, we were too busy shoving our faces with macarons). And then, to top it all off +20 for the consistency of the macarons and +10 for the perfect amount of filling.
Pierre Hermé total: Ugghh let me get my calculator.
Oh, it’s just 92.
So. By my very, VERY scientific reasoning: Pierre Hermé beats Ladurée 92 to 12. I’ll still pop into my local Ladurée for the occasional macaron fill, but when it really comes down to it, my heart is with Pierre Hermé.
Now, book your tickets to Paris and prove me right. Or, if you disagree, tell me why and let’s fight about it.
xo!
the romantic
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
15 Comments
the Hubs
Well it’s settled. It doesn’t get much more scientific than that. Nicely done! I wish we had brought some home.
Kirsten
Ladurée is still my favorite — and I LOVE that I can get them at home in NYC now. (Usually, that would bother me too but I love them so much I’ll settle for it being Epcotty just to satisfy my craving.) Bottom line though, I’ll eat a macaron any day of any week from anywhere. I’ve not had a truly rubbish one yet.
the lazy travelers
this is true! i’m tempted to try and make them one day but that might end the “all macarons are good macarons” streak.
Jenna
Since the scientific method demands all works be either corroborated or refuted, I’ll happily step to the plate on this one. Planning a trip in April, and will submit my findings soon after.
the lazy travelers
yes, please do. it’s a complicated process, but we appreciate additional research. (but, like, alsoooo i DARE you not to love pierre herme more. double dare, even).
Jenna
Oh, yes, Herme all the way. The shop I went to (Saint Germain) had a sign advising customers to buy packaged macarons from the Kiehl’s next door if the line was too long (!), but of course I had to wait 15 minutes so I could pick and choose. Only downside. The rest of the experience was pure bliss. As if the crispy outside melted into the creamy center through magic! There was zero distinction between cookie and filling – how do they do that? And the flavors … enough said above. As a side note, my first one was a large dessert macaron served in a local cafe at a 400% markup, and even at 14 euros it was worth it.
dailyfrancofile
I will obviously have to test your theory! 🙂
the lazy travelers
yess, and report back!
Alan (travellingfoodies)
i chanced upon your lovely wonderful website when I was searching for information on Pierre Herne’s Macaron Jardin Enchante and I have to agree totally. PH beats Laduree hands down!
I was wondering if you could help me out with a few questions on Mac. Jardin Enchante? I’m trying my best to re-create a version of it though I’d never tried it myself. I know it sounds so bizarre right?
(1) Do you recall the consistency of the filling? was it a white chocolate ganache filling or was it a buttercream based filling?
(2) Do you recall where the Espelette chilli pepper was incorporated? This is so tricky to figure out! Thanks for your help!
the lazy travelers
oh my goodness, i hope you’re able to get close! i’m actually not a huge sweets person, so i don’t know that i’ll be very helpful? the filling was lighter and less sticky than laduree, and i don’t recall any white chocolate. the espelette chili pepper was just sprinkled on the macaron, believe.
Alan (travellingfoodies)
Hmmmm… Intriguing…. Cos another french blog wrote of a ganache filling and that left me very very confused. Lol
i thought the red bits on top are colored sugar crystals?
Thanks again for your reply. Let me know if you recall.anything about macaron jardin enchante!
the lazy travelers
haha oh noo, maybe i’m wrong then? i just don’t love white chocolate so i feel like i would have remembered the flavor. and the chili flavor was definitely just a hint. i’ll let you know if i remember more!
Alan (travellingfoodies)
Thanks a million!!!
@mrsoaroundworld
love love love love love! and will eat them all – but you are right re Pierre Herme. I have tried them before and they were better. And less queues. And they were totally rude, which is a must!
Lazy Travelers
france is definitely the only country where i find abruptness endearing. eat an extra macaron (or 10!) for me!
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