Ladurée: it's a candy-colored world

Just as popular now as they were in the 18th century, gourmet macarons are a tribute to the glamorous lifestyle of Marie Antoinette. The pink macarons on the left are from the famous Ladurée bakery in Paris, and are rose petal flavored. They come in many other colors and flavors, including but not limited to: chocolate, vanilla, coffee, raspberry, lemon, etc.

There are also many pretty boxes you can order them in. My favorite is the blue “Bonaparte” box. If you’re looking for a great gift, check out their gift sets. There’s even a “Marie Antoinette” gift set decked out in purple and green. Speaking of which, the candy-colored macarons seen in the 2006 movie "Marie Antoinette" were supplied by Ladurée itself! By now you’re probably wondering where you can get your hands on these delicious treats. The Ladurée shops are located throughout Paris, and there are other locations in Monaco, Geneva, and London as well. Unfortunately, many of us live on the other side of the world (like me) and can only dream about these macarons in our sleep. But wait: Gesine, a confectionary and gourmet market in Vermont, offers French-recipe macaroons with a twist in maple, mocha, or lemon flavors. You can order them online at their website. Bon apetit!

Know of any bakeries in your area that sell killer macarons? Or a website where you can order them online? Leave a comment with your name and the name of the bakery/company in this post.

-R*