Previous installments:
- Introduction: Paris for the Holidays, Saying Goodbye to American’s Old Business Class, and a Suite at the Park Hyatt Vendome
- American First Class Lounge Chicago O’Hare and Business Class, Chicago – Paris
- Park Hyatt Paris Vendome Executive Suite
- Avoiding Tourist Traps: Good Places to Eat Near the Eiffel Tower and Picasso Museum in Paris
A couple of years ago I spent New Years Eve in Paris. It’s was a fabulous night — Laduree for macarons and champagne, then metroing to a spot with fewer tourists than the Champs Elysee but where you could still see fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. Street vendors were set up with food, while people ran through the streets with champagne.
In the comments to that post many folks suggested that while Laduree’s macarons are good, they don’t come close to comparing with the eponymous Pierre Hermé. According to commenters here, those are the best macarons anywhere. And after trying them, I certainly wouldn’t offer disagreement.
He was the pastry chef for Fauchon, and helped La Duree to expand, before starting his own brand. He operated only outside of France from 1998 through 2002, when his non-compete with Laduree expired.
Inside it reminded me more of a jewelry store than pastry shop, lit correctly to highlight the beauty of the cookies beneath the cases.
They really were better than any other macarons I’ve tried. And they have such interesting flavors, including with foie gras (which was spectacular).
(Click to enlarge.)
I visited the shop that’s just a couple of blocks from the Park Hyatt, but they have several locations.
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Next time you are in Tokyo or Hong Kong make sure to try the Pierre Herme locations there (last I checked there were numerous in Tokyo and one in Hong Kong). All of the flavor, none of the pretension.
It’s a fun topic. I have coated them on each trip I take to Paris, sometimes on the same day. I have come to the conclusion that neither is better than the other, one is more classic and the other more exotic. Usually, the one I had last seemed “best”.
Whoops, “tried” them, not “coated” them.
Agree wholeheartedly Gary. Pierre Hermé’s macarons are simply in a different league. The flavor combinations here are also extremely unique.
Now if only we could get him to change his mind about opening an NYC store…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2011/10/dont_expect_pierre_herm_to_ope.html
On second thought, maybe for my waistline (and wallet!) it’s better he didn’t! 😉
Native French reader here…Yes they are definitely the best macarons I have tasted.
My favorite is ‘Mogador’ (passion fruit with chocolate ‘ganache’ cream).
My favorites were in the club lounges of Ritz Carlton Osaka and Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
The cathay pacific lounge at CDG serves really good macarons at breakfast.
Another fan of Mogador! Yes, Hermé trumps the other Name macaron makers, though not all of their flavors are so great. Their Garden-themed flavor of the month can be hit or miss. January’s pine and spruce flavor is a little weird, unless you’re into retsina-flavored sweets.
What’s the price of these masterpieces?
Their website (from which you can order online) shows a gift box of 24 macarons for EU 28.50 (about US $33 currently).
http://www.pierreherme.com/products/macarons/assorted-gift-boxes/chat-fauve.html
Pierre Hermé macarons are really, really good – my favourite in Paris. But my favourite macarons worldwide are still the “Luxemburgerli” macarons by Sprüngli in Zurich. Any I don’t think I ever had one flavour I did not like – any they have many! Have you tried these?
Pretentious, pretentious, pretentious!
I think it depends on the flavor. For a chocolate macaron it’s hard to beat Gregory Renard’s version.
Good tip on the Pierre Hermé macarons.
I’ve had the “Luxemburgerli” macarons and they’re good. You can also get them in train stations (I got some in the Basel SSB train station).
I love macarons, and I can’t wait to try these out the next time I’m in Paris!
If you should ever happen to pass through or are nearby to Sacramento (even if you’re in San Francisco) come down to Sacramento and give Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates delicious Parisian Macarons a try. They are very good! See about them at: http://gingerelizabeth.com/macarons/
Also their hot chocolate is divine!
If you’re ever in Sacramento stop into Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates and try their delicious macarons -> http://gingerelizabeth.com/macarons/ … also their hot chocolate is divine!