Famous French brands: Ladurée

At 16 Rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, clad in pastel green and gold, stands the original Ladurée – a petite and enduring patisserie founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée. 

Initially une boulangerie*, Ladurée was rebuilt following a fire to become one of the city's first tea rooms, opening in 1871. At the time, Paris was undergoing significant cultural and social transformations, and Ladurée and his wife Jeanne had a vision to create a refined gathering place for the Parisian elite. 

Their eponymous establishment rapidement* became just that – capturing the imagination of Parisian society and attracting intellectuals, artists and socialites to indulge in the exquisite pastries and teas amidst Ladurée's elegant ambience. 

However, it wasn’t until decades later that la marque's* most iconic culinary creation came to be. In 1930, the Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines, grand-cousin of Louis-Ernes, had a lightbulb moment and cemented two macaron shells together with a filling of velvety ganache. And this is how the Parisian macaron was born, mes ami(e)s*!

Central to Ladurée's international allure is this veritable rainbow of macarons in classic flavours like vanilla and chocolate to exotic renditions such as matcha and lychee. No trip to Paris is complete without sampling these delicate confections – and, trust us, you won't stop at just one!

Today, Ladurée stands as a global emblem of Parisian elegance, with boutiques and tearooms from Tokyo to New York, including high-end department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Harrods. 

It's also been immortalised in literature, fashion and film. From Marcel Proust's evocative descriptions of madeleines to Sofia Coppola's cinematic ode in Marie Antoinette, Ladurée has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As well as our collective tastebuds. 

For more, visit the Ladurée France website.

*a bakery | *quickly | *the brand’s | *my friends