Paris isn’t just the city of romance and lights—it’s a global capital of patisserie perfection. Nowhere else in the world can you find macarons as refined, creative, and beautiful as those crafted by the masters of Paris. These delicate confections, with their crisp shells and creamy centers, have become symbols of elegance, artistry, and indulgence. Whether you’re wandering through Saint-Germain-des-Prés or exploring the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, a perfect macaron is always within reach.
This expanded guide takes you far beyond the basics, revealing not just the best-known names but also the hidden corners where locals and true pastry enthusiasts go. You’ll discover signature flavors, prices, best times to visit, and insider tips on packaging, freshness, and storage—so your macaron experience in Paris will be flawless.
Iconic Macaron Houses
Ladurée
Founded in 1862, Ladurée is the quintessential name in macaron history. It was here that the modern double-decker macaron was invented, combining delicate almond shells with rich ganache. Walking into a Ladurée salon feels like stepping back in time—the pastel interiors, soft gold lighting, and sweet aroma create a uniquely Parisian atmosphere. The brand’s famous mint-green boxes are as iconic as the pastries themselves.
✨ Try: Rose 🌹, Pistachio 🥜, Salted Caramel 🍯, Vanilla 🍦, and seasonal flavors like Chestnut in winter.
💶 Price: Around €2.90 per piece; gift boxes start at about €39.
📍 Locations: Champs-Élysées, Rue Royale, Saint-Germain, and at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
☕ Experience: Perfect for elegant tea breaks or luxurious gift shopping.
💡 Insider Tip: Always ask if your macarons were baked that day—freshness makes all the difference.
Pierre Hermé
Revered as the “Picasso of Pastry”, Pierre Hermé took the classic macaron and transformed it into an art form. His bold flavor pairings—rose with lychee and raspberry, chocolate with passion fruit—revolutionized Parisian pastry. Each macaron feels like a miniature work of culinary art, with glossy shells and balanced fillings.
✨ Try: Ispahan (rose, lychee, raspberry) 🌸, Mogador (passionfruit & chocolate) 🍫, Infiniment Vanille, and limited editions like Crêpe Suzette.
💶 Price: €3–4 per piece; 12-piece boxes average €39.
📍 Locations: Multiple boutiques across Saint-Germain, Marais, Opéra, and CDG Airport.
🎨 Experience: Premium and creative—perfect for gourmets and photography lovers.
💡 Fun Fact: Hermé often collaborates with luxury brands, offering seasonal boxes and tins designed by French artists.
Sadaharu Aoki
Japanese precision meets French elegance in Sadaharu Aoki’s creations. His macarons are known for their zen-like balance—less sugary than most and infused with distinct Asian flavors. Each one looks like a piece of minimalist art, yet delivers complex taste.
✨ Try: Matcha Green Tea 🍵, Black Sesame ⚫, Yuzu 🍋, and Hojicha.
💶 Price: €2.50–3 each.
📍 Locations: Rue Vaneau and Galeries Lafayette Gourmet.
🧘♂️ Experience: Ideal for minimalist travelers or anyone who loves matcha.
💡 Tip: Pair your macarons with Aoki’s famous green tea éclairs or a cup of sencha for the full experience.
Jean-Paul Hévin
A celebrated chocolatier and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Jean-Paul Hévin creates macarons that are pure indulgence for chocolate lovers. They’re slightly denser and richer, emphasizing deep cocoa notes over sweetness.
✨ Try: Tana (Madagascar chocolate) 🍫, Crème Brûlée 🔥, Pistach’in, and Vanill’in.
💶 Price: Around €3 each.
☕ Experience: Visit his Luxembourg tearoom to savor them with a hot chocolate or espresso.
💡 Tip: If you love dark chocolate, Hévin’s ganache-filled macarons are among the finest in Paris.
Pain de Sucre
Hidden near Châtelet, Pain de Sucre is an artisanal bakery with a cult following among locals. Its open kitchen lets you watch pastry chefs at work. Their macarons are a playground of flavors.
✨ Try: Chocolate–Passionfruit 🍫🥭, Pistachio–Cherry 🍒, and Mint Chocolate 🌿.
💶 Price: About €2.50 each.
📸 Experience: Great for adventurous flavor hunters and food photographers.
💡 Tip: Visit during weekdays to avoid queues.
Fauchon
Known for luxury and flamboyance, Fauchon is a temple of Parisian gastronomy. Its macarons mirror its identity: colorful, extravagant, and bold.
✨ Try: Yuzu 🍋, Blackcurrant 🍇, Litchi 🍑, and Saffron 🌼.
💶 Price: €3–4 per piece.
🎁 Experience: Ideal for elegant gifts.
💡 Tip: The boutique near Place de la Madeleine is a visual treat in itself.
La Maison du Chocolat
For those who prefer rich and smooth ganache-based macarons, La Maison du Chocolat delivers perfection.
✨ Try: Abyssinie ☕, Macapuno 🥥, Rigoletto 🍫.
🎩 Experience: Sleek, refined, and consistently delicious.
💡 Tip: Pair with their hot chocolate for a truly Parisian experience.
Carette
Since the 1920s, Carette has embodied Parisian café culture.
✨ Try: Lemon 🍋, Salted Caramel 🍯, and Raspberry 🍓.
☕ Experience: Best enjoyed with tea or coffee in art-deco interiors.
Angelina
Famous for its hot chocolate, Angelina also serves refined macarons.
✨ Try: Chestnut 🌰, Lemon 🍋, Raspberry 🍓.
🍽️ Experience: Perfect for a refined afternoon break near the Louvre.
💡 Tip: Order the Mont-Blanc dessert alongside your macarons for a signature indulgence.
Hidden Gem Macaron Shops
Gem La Pâtisserie
Located near Opéra, Gem La Pâtisserie is a small but exceptional shop run by pastry chef Gemilyn Guina.
✨ Try: Passionfruit–Vanilla 🥭, Pandan 🌿, Coconut 🥥.
💶 Price: Around €2 each.
🥇 Experience: Authentic, fresh, and budget-friendly.
💡 Tip: Come early—the shop often sells out by afternoon.
Coco Bello
In the heart of Montmartre, Coco Bello adds a playful twist with printed designs and themed shells.
✨ Try: Mango 🥭, Passionfruit 🍈, Chocolate 🍫.
📸 Experience: Perfect for families or Instagram lovers.
💡 Tip: Take your box to nearby Sacré-Cœur for a picnic with a view.
Sébastien Gaudard
A gem on Rue des Martyrs, Gaudard’s shop blends tradition and comfort.
✨ Try: Vanilla 🍦, Caramel 🍬, Coffee ☕.
🫖 Experience: Sit upstairs in his tearoom for a quiet break.
Richart
Known for its micro-macarons—tiny, concentrated bites bursting with flavor.
✨ Try: Roquefort–Walnut 🧀🌰, Olive–Parmesan 🫒🧀, exotic fruit mixes 🍊.
💎 Experience: A premium, gourmet adventure.
💡 Tip: Buy a mixed box to sample all flavors.
Arnaud Larher
A Montmartre institution with beautifully balanced, traditional macarons.
✨ Try: Apricot 🍑, Coffee ☕, Gianduja 🍫, Madagascar Vanilla 🌼.
🏡 Experience: Local and authentic, with fewer tourists.
💡 Tip: Pair with his éclairs for a complete pastry experience.
Georges Larnicol
A Breton baker known for light, chewy, and affordable macarons.
✨ Try: Violet 🌸, Passionfruit 🥭, Vanilla 🍦, Pistachio 🥜.
💶 Price: About €1 each.
🎉 Experience: Great for families or casual snacking.
💡 Tip: Perfect souvenir stop before heading to Montparnasse.
Chocolat Illéné
Modern and daring, Chocolat Illéné in Montmartre stands out for its unique flavors and artistry.
✨ Try: Soy Milk 🥛, Black Sesame ⚫, Caramel 🍯, Mugwort 🌿.
🎨 Experience: Distinctly artisanal and experimental.
💡 Tip: A must-visit for food explorers.
Flavor Recommendations by Shop
| 🍰 Shop | 🧁 Signature Flavors |
|---|---|
| Ladurée | Rose 🌹, Pistachio 🥜, Salted Caramel 🍯, Lemon 🍋 |
| Pierre Hermé | Ispahan 🌸, Mogador 🍫, Infiniment Vanille 🌼 |
| Sadaharu Aoki | Matcha 🍵, Yuzu 🍋, Black Sesame ⚫ |
| Jean-Paul Hévin | Tana 🍫, Crème Brûlée 🔥, Pistach’in 🥜 |
| Pain de Sucre | Chocolate–Passionfruit 🍫🥭, Pistachio–Cherry 🍒, Mint Chocolate 🌿 |
| Fauchon | Yuzu 🍋, Litchi 🍑, Blackcurrant 🍇 |
| La Maison du Chocolat | Abyssinie ☕, Rigoletto 🍫, Macapuno 🥥 |
| Carette | Lemon 🍋, Salted Caramel 🍯, Raspberry 🍓 |
| Angelina | Chestnut 🌰, Lemon 🍋, Raspberry 🍓 |
| Gem La Pâtisserie | Passionfruit–Vanilla 🥭, Pandan 🌿 |
| Coco Bello | Mango 🥭, Vanilla 🍦, Chocolate 🍫 |
| Richart | Roquefort–Walnut 🧀🌰, Olive–Parmesan 🫒🧀 |
| Arnaud Larher | Apricot 🍑, Coffee ☕, Gianduja 🍫 |
| Larnicol | Violet 🌸, Passionfruit 🥭, Pistachio 🥜 |
| Chocolat Illéné | Black Sesame ⚫, Soy Milk 🥛, Mugwort 🌿 |
Tips for Tourists
- 💰 Budget Wisely: Expect €2.50–5 per macaron at luxury shops; boutique bakeries charge around €2. Buying boxes saves money and makes for perfect gifts.
- ⏰ Timing: Visit mid-morning or late afternoon for the freshest batches.
- ☕ Where to Enjoy: Dine in at Carette, Ladurée, or Angelina for salon vibes; Pierre Hermé and Sadaharu Aoki excel in takeaway packaging.
- 🧊 Travel Tip: Keep macarons cool; refrigerate before flights and store in tins. Shelf life: 2–4 days.
- 🚫 Avoid Tourist Traps: Skip bright stands near Eiffel Tower or Montmartre—they often sell factory-made versions.
- 🥂 Pairing Ideas: Try macarons with espresso ☕, jasmine tea 🍵, or champagne 🍾 for extra indulgence.
- 📸 Photography Tip: Use natural light to capture colorful macaron boxes near landmarks for Instagram-worthy shots.
Final Thoughts
Macarons are more than pastries—they represent the essence of Paris: elegant, delicate, and passionately crafted. Whether you fall for Ladurée’s timeless charm, Pierre Hermé’s avant-garde creativity, or the quiet artistry of hidden patisseries, every bite tells a story. From pastel salons to cozy tea rooms, this guide ensures you experience Paris’s sweetest masterpieces.
🍬 Take your time, explore beyond the famous names, and embrace every colorful, flavorful discovery. In Paris, even the tiniest macaron can become an unforgettable memory. Bon appétit and happy tasting! 🇫🇷