Best Macarons in Paris!

Eating macarons is a must in Paris. Here are my picks for the best the City of Light offers:

Small (Regular) Sized Macarons:

1. Ladurée

Ladurée is one of the two most popular macaron producers in Paris, and with good reason.

This Parisian macaron chain creates some incredibly flavourful and smooth bites in a variety of tempting parfums (flavours). They offer many traditional flavours, and do them beautifully (both vanilla & chocolate are wonderful). Some of the flavours I highly recommend sampling would be Fleur d’oranger (Orange blossom), Caramel à la Fleur de Sel (Salted caramel), and Thé Marie-Antoinette (Their signature Marie-Antoinette tea).

These are my personal favourite macarons in all of Paris. They are really, really worth trying!

If macarons aren’t your go-to, you can also pick up some pâtisseries such as a Saint-Honoré or a Millefeuille. Most locations also have a sit-down café area that provides light meals (salads, soups, sandwiches, etc…), drinks (coffee, signature tea blends, hot chocolate) or high tea if you’re in the mood for something more upscale.

Location:
232 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 (Ladurée Paris Thé&Beauté)
14 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 (Le Macaron Ladurée Paris)
99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 (Ladurée Paris Carrousel du Louvre)
14 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 (Ladurée Paris rue de Bretagne)
21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 (Ladurée Paris Bonaparte)
47 Rue Cler, 75007 (Ladurée Paris Rue Cler)
75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 (Ladurée Paris Champs Elysées)
13 Rue Lincoln, 75008 (Ladurée Paris Le Bar)
16-18 Rue Royale, 75008 (Ladurée Paris Royale)
62 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 (Ladurée Paris au Printemps)
16 Rue Linois, 75015 (Ladurée Paris Beaugrenelle)

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2. Carette

When discussing Parisian macarons with North American friends, Carette seems to be one of the lesser-known brands. This is madness!

In my (not so humble) opinion, Carette produces some of the absolute best macarons in the French capital. The macaron shells are consistently soft, with a slight crunch (this is good). The fillings are always flavourful, and there is a good filling-to-shell ration. When it comes to the flavours, they are delectable, and very rich. I find I only need to eat a few macarons to feel satisfied.

My favourite flavours include vanilla, and cassis. In fact, their vanilla is my favourite vanilla macaron in all of Paris. Carette also sells some larger macuaron-esque offerings, such as their Ispahan (pictured below).

Carette’s macarons compare in price to some of the other high-end counterparts on this list, but the little delights are worth spending the extra Euro splurge. I adore Carette, and I highly recommend giving their macarons a try!

P.S. (When things open up after COVID), do try out their location in Place des Vosges! The interior is opulent, and after you finish tour meal, you can take a stroll in the lovely courtyard outside. As a student, this was something I did often!

Location:
25 Place des Vosges (75003)
4 Place du Trocadéro (75016)

3. Pierre Hermé

Pierre Hermé is known as one of the best macaron makers in Paris. This reputation is quite well deserved, as their macarons do taste superb. These macarons I find more “fluffy” and dense than those of Ladurée. They also come in less traditional flavours, which could be a bonus if you’re looking to sample something unique.

Named after Pierre Hermé, famed French pastry chef and chocolatier who won the title of World's Best Pastry Chef by the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016, it’s easy to see why these macarons would be delicious. Do we warned however, they come at a heftier price than most! If price isn’t a deterrent to good food, give these treats a go!

The stores also sell other pâtisseries if macarons aren’t your fancy (although, I’d seriously question why you’d click a “Best Macarons in Paris” article if they weren’t).

The flavours I highly recommend trying would be Ispahan (Rose, Litchi & Raspberry) and Citron & Framboise (Lemon & raspberry).

Location:
4 Rue Cambon, 75001
39 Avenue de l'Opéra, 75002
4 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
18 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004
72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006
61 Rue Bonaparte, 75006
53 - 57 Rue de Grenelle, 75007
89 Boulevard Malesherbes, 75008
133 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008
Rez-de-chaussée de Maison & Gourmet, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
185 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015
58 Avenue Paul Doumer, 75116

4. Maison GeorgeS Larnicol

Maison Georges Larnicol produces what they call « […] de nombreuses douceurs ».

While macarons are only a small part of what they create (chocolates! sweets! caramels!), their quality should not be dismissed. If you’re looking for a more cost effective alternative to Ladurée or Pierre Hermé macarons, pop by this French Maison for a sweet treat.

The flavours worth sampling? Framboise (raspberry) and Vanille (vanilla).

Location:
14 Rue de Rivoli, 75004
19 Rue de la Harpe, 75005
132 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006
7 Rue de Steinkerque, 75018

Large Macarons:

Less transitional but no less valid nor flavourless.

1. A Lacroix Pâtissier

One of my favourite cafés lies in the 5th arrondissement makes great large-sized macarons.

Grab them to go, or order them sur place with a café au lait or a pleasant tea. Bring along a book, and enjoy the unobstructed views of the Seine as you eat.

Location:
11 Quai de Montebello, 75005

2. Dalloyau

If you’re looking for large-and-in-charge macarons, head on over to Dalloyau. This independent and family-owned company began creating goodies to eat in 1682, and has been perfecting them ever since.

On top of macarons, this pâtisserie also makes chocolates, pastries, and some heartier meals for those with bigger appetites. Yum!

Location:
63 Rue de Grenelle, 75007
101 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, 35 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
6 Rue de Lota, 75016

Unique Macarons

1. Amorino

If traditional macarons don’t tickle your fancy, or if you’re simply in the mood for a more adventurous treat, go to Amorino and taste their gelato-filled macarons. These taste more refreshing than a normal one on a hot summer day.

With a myriad of locations across Paris, they aren’t a difficult treat to locate! Feeling frisky? Add one on top of your gelato! Thank me later.

Location:
Place de la Concorde, 75001
9 Rue Montorgueil, 75001
121 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004
31 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
47 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004
43 Rue de Bretagne, 75004
22 Rue Soufflot, 75005
16 Rue de la Huchette, 75005
4 Rue Vavin, 75006
6 Rue Guisarde, 75006
4 Rue de Buci, 75006
42 Rue Cler, 75007
6 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009
4 Rue de la Roquette, 75011
17 Rue Daguerre, 75014
2 Rue de la Gaité, 75014
90 Rue du Commerce, 75015
59 Rue des Batignolles, 75017
2 Avenue de Villiers, 75017
39 Rue des Abbesses, 75018

2. Boulangerie Aux Saveurs de Monge

Near Le Jardin des Plantes lies Boulangerie Aux Saveurs de Monge, an excellent bakery that makes a number of tasty treats. One of those treats are their large raspberry-and-pistachio macarons.

These gorgeous desserts are filled to the brim with creamy filling, fresh raspberries, and pistachio bits. What’s not to love? Grab it and head on over to the park, where you can enjoy it while viewing the new blooms of the season.

Location:
28 Rue Monge, 75005