Ladurée or Pierre Hermé at a glance
| Ladurée | Pierre Hermé | |
|---|---|---|
| What sets it apart | Classic macarons, tearooms, gift boxes | Bold and unexpected flavours |
| Signature flavours | Classics (vanilla, chocolate, raspberry) | Ispahan (rose, lychee, raspberry), Mogador (passion fruit, milk chocolate) |
| Recorded prices | 17.10 euros for 6 (date not stated) | Eiffel Tower: 3 to 3.50 euros each, 28 euros for 8, 45 euros for 12 |
| Addresses | Champs-Élysées and rue Royale, among others | Main shop at 72 rue Bonaparte (6th) |
| Best for | A gift, tea on the spot, a first visit | Food lovers who want to taste something different |
To choose in two minutes
You are giving a box or want to sit down for tea: Ladurée is the obvious choice, with its tearooms and world-famous packaging. You want the macaron talked about for its taste: Pierre Hermé, starting with the Ispahan. One guide also names Dalloyau, with an address at 48 avenue Victor-Hugo (16th), if you want a third classic house.
How much to budget
Allow about 3 euros a macaron at Pierre Hermé according to the source available (Eiffel Tower shop) and nearly 3 euros at Ladurée (17.10 euros for 6: 2.85 euros each). A box of 12 therefore comes to 35 to 45 euros depending on the house. For a gift, the packaging counts as much as the contents; for yourself, buy a box of 6 to 8 rather than a large box, because macarons do not keep long.
Tips for choosing well
Taste at least one classic and one signature flavour: the difference between the two houses shows in the flavours more than in the shell. Eat them within two or three days (keep them cool; check the date on the box). Queues can be long at tourist shops; a neighbourhood shop is often calmer.
Learn to make them
If you want a more original souvenir, a pastry class lets you make your own macarons: our guide to macaron and croissant classes compares the offers. For other good pastry and bread addresses, see the best bakeries in Paris and the tearooms.
