6 Best Places to Find Macarons in Paris

6 Best Places to Find Macarons in Paris

Original article posted on May 21, 2014 by Johanna. Article updated for accuracy in 2019. 

Read on to find the best macarons in Paris! France is known around the world for it’s fine cuisine, and it would be a shame if you left Paris without tasting a little something.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ve come to the right place. French pastries are delicious, and my personal favorite has got to be the mythic macaron. Now, I’m not talking about the President, or about those cookies made with coconut.

Traditionally a macaron is made of three pieces: two biscuits that sandwich a bit of cream. It comes in many flavors, such as chocolate, coffee, vanilla or pistachio. Or, you could go for a more gourmet treat with parfums such as olive oil or strawberry-mint!

Today, I’m going to be giving you some advice on where to go to have the best experience of macarons, one of the finest pastries made in France.  A lot of places sell it in Paris but only a few are truly exceptional.

1. Gérard Mulot

Gérard Mulot macarons – image courtesy of Gérard Mulot’s Facebook page

Gérard Mulot has been serving up his delicious pastries in Paris for years now! He now has 2 shops in the city, one in the 13th arrondissement, and the other in the 6th.

My personal favorite has got to be his location in the 6th arrondissement in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area. Not only is this one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris, it is teeming with yummy creations!

In addition to classic flavors like chocolate and coffee, the shop changes it’s menu with the season. You know that everything you’re munching on is made from the freshest local ingredients! Need I say more?

My recommendation: Ananas-gingembre (pineapple ginger)

Practical Information

Gérard Mulot

Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-7:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7:30pm, closed Monday

Address: 93 rue de la Glacière 75013

Metro Station: Glacière

Maison Mulot – Saint Germain des Prés

Opening hours: Every day 7am-8pm

Address: 76 rue de Seine 75006

Metro Station: Odéon

2. Dalloyau

Dalloyau macaron – image courtesy of Dalloyau’s Facebook page

The Dalloyau house of pastries was founded in 1682, and they used to cater for King Louis the XIV! Now that’s some seriously historical pastry making.

Like most of the choices on my list, Dalloyau has shops all over the city. My personal favorite is their location on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement.

Here, you’ll find a place that is so much more than just French pastries. It’s a real tea salon where you can enjoy some of the best macarons in Paris over a cup of tea or hot chocolate. They sell the macarons by the box of 4, 9,14 or 40, catering to all of your macaron needs!

My recommendation: Ananas-Menthe-Coco (pineapple, mint, coconut)

Practical Information

Dalloyau Boutique Historique

Opening hours: Every Day 9am-9pm

Address: 101 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris

Metro Station: Saint-Philippe du Roule

3. Lenôtre

Lenôtre macarons – image courtesy of Lenôtre’s Facebook page

Less prestigious than the Dalloyau house, Lenôtre is still one of the best places in Paris to buy macarons.

Note that they also have cooking classes where you can learn to make your favorite pastries! They have 10 shops that cover all of the Parisian ground, and my favorite is their location next to the Eiffel Tower for obvious reasons. A tasty macaron with a view of one of Paris’ most famous monuments? Sign me up.

My recommendation: Pistache Sicilienne (Sicilian pistachio)

Practical Information

Lenôtre école militaire

Opening hours: Every Day 9am-9pm, Thursday 9AM-8pm

Address: 36 Avenue de la Motte-Picquet, 75007 Paris

Metro Station: école militaire

4. Ladurée

Ladurée macarons – image courtesy of Ladurée’s Facebook page

Now, we are getting really close to my favorite! I always have a hard time deciding whether I like Pierre Hermé or Ladurée the best. More on Pierre Hermé up next!

Ladurée first opened in 1862. They became really famous with the opening of a shop on the champs Elysées, and then tea a house rue Bonaparte. I like their rue Bonaparte location. Nestled on one of the most famous streets in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, pick up a few macarons for the road and explore the neighborhood.

My recommendation: Citron vert basilic (basil lime)

Practical Information

Ladurée Paris Champs Elysées

Opening hours: every Day 7:30am-11pm

Address: 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris

Metro Station: George V / Franklin D. Roosevelt

Ladurée Paris Bonaparte

Opening hours: Every Day 8:30am-7:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-8:30pm

Address: 21 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

Metro Station: Saint-germain-des-prés

5. Pierre Hermé

Pierre Hermé macarons in front of the Eiffel Tower – image courtesy of Pierre Hermé’s Facebook page

I have to admit that Pierre Hermé is my favorite! For me, these are the best macarons in Paris in my opinion. Pierre Hermé used to work as the head baker at Ladurée, so I think I understand why I like Ladurée so much too! Many of the other shops I’ve mentioned so far sell fairly classic macarons. This is not the case with Pierre Hermé.

His pastries are art experiments. His collection changes every semester for new tastes, so you’ll never get bored of Pierre Hermé!

My recommendation: Ispahan. A mixture of rose, litchi and raspberry.

Practical Information

Pierre Hermé

Opening hours: Every day 10am-7pm, Friday-SAturday 10am-8pm

Address: 72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

Metro Station: saint-Sulpice

6. Take a macaron making class in Paris

Cook’n With Class macarons – image courtesy of Cook’n With Class’ Facebook page

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If you’re looking for some great cooking classes (in English!) in Paris, Cook’n With Class should be your go to. This cooking school has been in the biz since 2007. Today, they offer a large selection of class options in their Montmartre location, as well as a school located in the South of France in Uzès!

I tried out their Macaron Class a few months ago and I was super impressed. Their chefs are knowledgable, patient and above all, talented! Not to mention, you get to take your creations home with you. How fun is that?!

If you’re coming to Paris with your children, you’re in luck! Cook’n With Class also offers a course called Macaron en Famille, the perfect place to learn how to make macarons with your kids…and bond while you’re at it!

Practical Information

Cook’n with class paris

Opening hours: Open daily. visit their WEBSITE to make a reservation

Address: 6 Rue Baudelique, 75018 Paris

Metro Station: simplon / marcadet – poissonnieres

Conclusion

Now you know, the best places to find macarons in Paris! Save this list for the next time you’re in this beautiful city.

And one last thing! In all those shops, remember to keep the boxes, they are all so pretty! And if buying all these macaroons still hasn’t lowered your craving for them, consider these other cooking classes to learn how to make them yourself!

If you want to learn more about French cuisine and try some other goodies with us, why not join one of our Paris walking tours? Click here to learn more about all of our options which include Paris’ Fun Cooking Class, The Vegetarian and Gluten Free French Food Tour, and The Chef is my Best Friend to name a few!