Well after 3 days of sampling the wares at various branches of Ladurée, giving them a good comparison shopping, and having suffered both in the wallet and waistline and returned to the UK, I wonder what other superior patisseries are in Paris either offering excellent versions of common items or perhaps specialist things?
Thanks to the tupperware party of a couple of weeks ago for turning me on to Ladurée, now I need your help for next time - and there will be a next time.
I hope you bought a sampler platter and Tupperware to send me some! I can return the Tupperware in September!! ;-)
The macarons at Pierre Herme are even better than the ones at Laduree.
So glad you tried and liked Laduree! This one isn't famous but all their pastries and baguettes are incredibly good... It's on Ile St. Louis off the main street... the front window reads: Boulangerie Pattisserie des Deux Ponts and it's on rue des Deux Ponts, the street that leads onto Pont Marie. It's on the left as you walk towards the bridge, almost at the end of the street. Eat a pain au chocolat for me ok?
Rue des Deux Ponts and the little island is an area we missed this time but will definitely be toward the top of the next list. And I've found that both Pierre Herme and Lauderée have London branches. Thanks guys. I thank you, my wife thanks you. My waistline thanks you??? My wallet thanks you - NOT!!!
Nigel, what pastry did you and your wife like best at Laduree? What flavor macaron? Curious minds want to know...
My wife, the macaron fan, says Chocolate - by a mile - then salted Caramel, then Coffee, Vanilla, and Pistachio. Unfortunately, possibly because of Valentines Day, several flavours were only available in mini size and we were after the normal size.
While I like macarons well enough, my definite fav's were, by far - mind my poor French spelling - Canelle and Kugelkopf. I could eat both of those all day...
You made me smile with "I could eat them all day"... I've only had their macarons and I'm with your wife... chocolate by a mile!
Salted caramel macarons at Carette (Plc des Vosges and Trocadero locations) are my favorites, and their hot chocolate is as good as Angelina's (plus you get lots more whipped cream). Miam!
I love the mini size (can't speak to Ladurée, but elsewhere at least) because it gives me an excuse to try more flavors! One of my favorites that I've had was an Earl Grey one. Now I'm craving macarons with no place to find good ones around here... darn!
My favorite is Gerard Mulot in the 6th. I went there every day when we rented an apartment nearby. Heaven!
so many choices -- so little time
Better wear elastic waist pants next trip!
"Just old Nigel," I'm so glad that y'all loved it!! I go for caramel then vanilla then the other flavors. I like the fruit ones for the appearance -- that whole aesthetic.
Now, someone mentioned Gérard Mulot, which is an excellent recommendation. Go to the one in the 6th, just off Blvd St Germain, for the real feel, but they have a small shop just northeast of Place des Vosges.
I've gotta check trip reports (and other threads) to see if you enjoyed the 19th! And it's been pretty nice and mild the last few days, so I hope the weather cooperated with you, too.
Yes, the 19e was fine. We would return. And while the weather was mostly less than clement it was a whole lot better than across the waters.
