The Best Macarons in Paris (Updated for 2026)

If you only remember two names, Ladurée and Pierre Hermé are Paris's two most famous macaron houses. But the eight patisseries in this guide, verified address by address below, are the best macarons in Paris this year, from the classic flavors to the more experimental ones.

Small, round, and delicious sandwiches of meringue, almond flour, and buttercream filling, the world-famous macarons are quintessential icons of France. You can find these elegant little sweet treats in almost every cafe, restaurant, and patisserie across Paris and French cities near and far.

But not all macarons are made equal! From rare and luxurious with exotic flavors to simple ones with traditional flavors, or even vegan, I am sharing where you can find the best macarons in Paris. And if you are in Paris on March 20 for National Macaron Day, make sure you enjoy the festivities! You can get free macarons or collect special edition ones to indulge your inner sweet tooth!

And you know me, I always like to dive into its history, share where to buy them when you can't get to Paris, and answer a few questions.

Lastly, these delicious macarons make fabulous gifts for friends or family…or for the airplane ride home, as French macarons are even available at the airport!

First off, what are macarons?

Macarons were first made in the Middle Ages as small biscuits that were crunchy on the outside but soft and pillowy on the inside. Although many people think they're French, Venetian monasteries originally made macarons in Italy in the 8th century with almonds, egg whites, and sugar.

Several 15th-century Italian cookbooks describe almond biscuits resembling a macaron but with different names.

It is believed that when Catherine de Medici married Henri II in the 1500s, she brought these exquisite pastries to France. Known as maccherone in Italian (meaning thin dough), macarons were crunchy cookies with little to no softness, unlike the versions we get today.

Macaron cookies became increasingly popular in the 1600s. In 1660, the chefs from the Basque region offered macarons to Louis XIV for his wedding. Since then, the recipe for these cookies has remained unchanged. In 1792, two Carmelite nuns seeking asylum in Nancy baked and sold these macaron cookies to support themselves during the French Revolution.

They became known as the Macaron Sisters and further increased demand for the pastries. There is a legend that one of the Macaron Sisters passed the recipe to King Louis XV’s father-in-law, Stanislas Leszczynski, who shared it with the royal pastry chefs. When his granddaughter, Marie Antoinette, became the queen of France after marrying Louis XVIII in 1808, she brought back the popularity of the macarons.

It wasn’t until the 1900s that macarons became sandwich cookies with cream filling. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Parisian bakery La Maison Ladurée introduced buttercream, jam fillings, and ganache filling between these meringue cookies. As French baking evolved, the macaron became a luxurious treat with a thin, crispy layer of almond meringue filled with creamy ganache.

Now that you know a little more about what a macaron is…now let's see where the best places are to get your hands on this classic French dessert!

Quick Picks: The Best Macarons in Paris at a Glance

Short on time? Here's how the eight houses in this guide compare before you dive into the full profiles below.

House	Best known for	Price (2026)	Arrondissements
Ladurée	Classic flavors, the most recognizable name	Premium, about €5.50 to €6.00 per piece	1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 15th, plus CDG airport
Pierre Hermé	Bold, inventive flavors like Ispahan and Mogador	Premium, about €5.00 to €5.50 per piece	1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, plus CDG airport
Jean-Paul Hévin	Chocolate ganache macarons	Moderate, about €2.80 per piece	1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th
Fauchon	Traditional flavors with a crunchy shell	Moderate	8th, 15th
Lenôtre	Natural flavors, no artificial color	Moderate to premium	4th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th
Carette	Simple classics, try the lemon	Moderate, sold by weight (about €8 per 100g)	3rd, 16th
Sadaharu Aoki	French Japanese fusion flavors like yuzu and matcha	Moderate	5th, 6th, 7th, 15th
Dalloyau	A recipe passed down for 300 years, less sweet almond paste	Moderate	1st, 8th, 9th

Prices are approximate per piece as of September 2026 and vary by flavor and season; confirm at the boutique or the maison's own site before you go.

Where to buy the best macarons in Paris

Paris has some of the best macaron shops. Tourists from around the world flock to the French capital to taste these delicious treats and take them home as souvenirs to share. While the city has countless cafes, bakeries, and stores selling these pastries, only a few remain the most desired.

For the modern macaron, pastry shops across Paris constantly develop new flavors. Their ability to transform a classic macaron into masterpieces that haunt your taste buds is extraordinary! They develop unique flavor combinations and special flavors that are out of this world.

Ladurée

Ladurée is synonymous with macarons. Louis Ernest Ladurée who milled flour opened a bakery in 1862 that transitioned from a pastry shop to a high society café, to one of the first tea rooms in the city (here's an excellent article from Food & Wine magazine if you are interested). It is believed that the Ladurée bakery was the first shop in the early 20th century to add the filling and create the macaron we eat today, and it was chef Pierre Desfontaines, who worked at Ladurée, that we have to thank!

One of the most Instagrammable shops in Paris, Ladurée is perfect for high tea and brunch. The luxurious setting transports you to a calmer place, and the simple flavors are more than delicious.

Its most popular store, with signature pastel green-and-gold decor, is the flagship at 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Ladurée has played an essential role in popularizing macarons worldwide, and it has many locations to prove it! Ladurée macarons are probably the most recognizable macarons in Paris, plus they have 4 shops in the Charles de Gaulle airport, so people who are transferring flights can benefit without setting foot in Paris!

They are always on the best macaron list in Paris and are known for classic flavors (as well as seasonal ones) such as dark chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla, plus pistachio (my second-favorite macaron flavor) and butter caramel. They have vegan versions too!

If you are going to do a starter box from Ladurée, try these unique flavors (mixed with the classics of course): rose petal, Marie Antoinette tea, and passion fruit.

Ladurée also loves seasonal or special-edition collections, so keep an eye out while you're in Paris. Their Roland Garros collaboration, a tribute to French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen with packaging inspired by the clay courts, has run each spring around the tournament. Check Ladurée's website or ask at the counter to see which limited-edition box is available when you visit.

Ladurée locations in Paris:

• Inside the Carrousel du Louvre shopping center in the 1st arrondissement
• 232 Rue de Rivoli, also in the 1st arrondissement
• 14 Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement
• 21 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement
• 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement
• 16 Rue Royale, also in the 8th arrondissement at the Place de la Madeleine
• Inside the Centre Commercial Saint-Lazare, also in the 8th arrondissement
• Inside the Printemps department store at 62 Bd Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement
• Inside the Gare de Lyon train station in the 12th arrondissement
• Inside the Centre Commercial Beaugrenelle in the 15th arrondissement
• Inside the Gare Montparnasse train station also in the 15th
• NOTE: the location at 47 Rue Cler in the 7th arrondissement is temporarily closed.

Pierre Hermé

Another of Paris's most famous patissiers is Pierre Hermé, a brand synonymous with baked perfection! He is known for pushing the limits of flavors and textures in pastries and desserts.

Although all Pierre Hermé macarons taste delicious, the most incredible and popular ones are the Ispahan macaron – made with a combination of subtle rose flavors, lychee, and raspberry; the Mosaïc with pistachio, cinnamon, and kirsch-soaked cherry; and the Mogador, made with milk chocolate and passionfruit.

All his creations are daring and interesting, and you have to keep coming back to try the seasonal delights.

Pierre Hermé creations aren't available in the US, so they're a must-visit in Paris. They have multiple shops throughout the city. They also have a shop at Charles de Gaulle Airport, if you want to bring some home.

Pierre Hermé also loves a good collaboration, so keep an eye out for seasonal and special edition boxes while you're in Paris. In September 2026, for example, the maison launched an eight-macaron collection personally curated by Céline Dion to coincide with her Paris concerts, sold at Galeries Lafayette and across the Pierre Hermé network. These collaborations come and go throughout the year, so ask at the counter what's currently available.

Pierre Hermé locations in Paris:

• 4 Rue Cambon in the 1st arrondissement
• 39 Av. de l'Opéra in the 2nd arrondissement
• 4 Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement
• 18 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie in the 4th arrondissement
• 3 Rue Jean du Bellay, also in the 4th
• 72 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement
• 43 Rue Saint-Placide, also in the 6th
• 126 Bd Saint-Germain, also in the 6th, and a cafe location
• 53 – 57 Rue de Grenelle in the 7th arrondissement and a cafe location
• 133 Av. des Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement
• 89 Bd Malesherbes, also in the 8th arrondissement
• Inside the Centre Commercial Saint-Lazare, also in the 8th arrondissement
• Inside the Galeries Lafayette department store at 35 Bd Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement
• Inside the Gare de Lyon train station in the 12th arrondissement
• 185 Rue de Vaugirard in the 15th arrondissement
• Inside the Gare Montparnasse train station, also in the 15th arrondissement
• 58 Av. Paul Doumer in the 16th arrondissement
• 37 Av. des Ternes in the 17th arrondissement

Ladurée vs Pierre Hermé: Which One Should You Actually Pick?

If you only have room in your suitcase (or your stomach) for one, here's the honest answer. Ladurée is the safer, classic choice: the flavors are gentler, the shops are gorgeous and easy to find, and it's the version of a Paris macaron most people picture. Pierre Hermé is the more adventurous choice: the Ispahan, the Mosaïc, and the Mogador push further into unexpected flavor combinations, and the shops feel less like a tourist stop and more like a serious pastry counter.

Prices at both houses sit at the premium end of the Paris macaron range, so you're not saving money by picking one over the other. If you only have time for one stop, go with Pierre Hermé for something you truly can't get elsewhere; go with Ladurée if you want the classic, postcard version of a Paris macaron. Better yet, if your itinerary allows it, try both and decide for yourself.

Jean-Paul Hévin

One of the best chocolatiers (he is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the Confiserie chocolate category) with chocolate stores in Paris, Jean-Paul Hévin is the place to go to taste chocolate macarons. Especially chocolate ones with chocolate ganache! Freshly homemade macaron boxes come in several sizes, perfect for chocolate gourmands.

Another well-loved flavor is crème brûlée, but my personal favorite is Normandy. A coffee and caramel macaron, with dark chocolate and salted butter caramel milk ganache. If chocolate is more your thing than macarons, don't miss my full guide to the best chocolate in Paris.

Jean-Paul Hévin locations in Paris:

• 2 locations on the Rue Saint-Honoré: 108 and 231 in the 1st arrondissement
• 41 Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement
• 3 Rue Vavin in the 6th arrondissement
• 23bis Av. de la Motte-Picquet in the 7th arrondissement
• 93 Rue du Bac, also in the 7th

Fauchon

Fauchon is a popular traiteur (caterer or fancy deli) known for its fancy dishes, but it's also popular for its eclairs and chocolate, and it offers a range of traditional macarons.

Bursting with flavors like passionfruit and blackcurrant, the macarons of this gourmet store have a delicious little crunch to their macaron shells. And Fauchon is the perfect quick stop to build your entire picnic basket!  

Fauchon locations in Paris:

• 24 to 26 Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement
• Inside the Gare Montparnasse train station in the 15th arrondissement

Lenôtre

Lenôtre has been around for more than half a century, and while its creator, Gaston Lenôtre, is best known for creating the opera cake (gâteau opéra), the shop also makes light, fluffy macarons. Lenôtre may go slightly over your budget, but its macarons have natural flavors (no artificial colorants) and a finesse that sets them apart.

They stick with classic flavors but experiment with French ingredients like sel de Guérande (sea salt from Guérande on the Guérande peninsula in Brittany) and vanilla from Madagascar (a French colony)

Lenôtre locations in Paris:

• 10 Rue Saint-Antoine in the 4th arrondissement
• 36 Av. de la Motte-Picquet in the 7th arrondissement
• 15 Bd de Courcelles in the 8th arrondissement
• 22 Av. de la Porte de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement
• 61 Rue Lecourbe in the 15th arrondissement
• 48 Av. Victor Hugo in the 16th arrondissement
• 44 Rue d'Auteuil also in the 16th
• 121 Av. de Wagram in the 17th arrondissement

Carette

Mostly known for its deliciously rich, famous hot chocolate, Carette also serves simple but tasty macarons. Along with the usual salted caramel, chocolate, and praline noisette, the cafe also offers fruity flavors that work well in spring and summer. One of their best macaron flavors is lemon!

They are not new to the scene, but unless you are a macaron connoisseur, you may not have heard of this pastry shop and Art Deco tea salon that opened in 1927. Many Parisians consider it the best.

If you’re looking for a Parisian experience and want to enjoy the Eiffel Tower while nibbling on macarons, head to their location in the Place du Trocadéro.

Carette's location in Paris:

• 25 Place des Vosges in the 3rd arrondissement
• 4 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre in the 16th arrondissement

Sadaharu Aoki

A beautiful fusion of French and Japanese flavors, Sadaharu Aoki is changing the pastry world with their macarons. Pairing Parisian elegance with Japanese minimalism creates out-of-the-box flavors like wasabi-horseradish, yuzu, matcha tea, and more. My favorites are red bean and black sesame!

There is an amazing macaron called Symphonie with a violette (a small blue flower) shell and crème brûlée, Earl Grey tea, crème à la violette ganache, and fruits rouges (red berries). Wow!

I know this article is about macarons, but if you are a fan of Japanese green tea, Sadaharu Aoki is the pastry shop for you!

Sadaharu Aoki locations in Paris:

• 56 Bd de Port-Royal in the 5th arrondissement
• 35 Rue de Vaugirard in the 6th arrondissement
• 103 Rue Saint-Dominique in the 7th arrondissement
• 25 Rue Pérignon in the 15th arrondissement

Dalloyau

Known for a recipe passed down for 300 years, Dalloyau brings you macarons straight from the court of Louis XIV. After the French Revolution, when royal pastry chefs were no longer needed, Jean-Baptiste Dalloyau of the Dalloyau family opened a bakery that still serves Parisians today. 

Their macarons are known to be less sweet because they use a paste made with almonds from Valencia. The dough is barely sweetened, and specific garnishes are adapted based on the individual flavor to perfect the balance. They offer different flavors based on seasonal availability, with interesting combinations like nougat mixed with cherry soufflé, sesame grapefruit, and ginger apple.

Dalloyau locations in Paris:

• Inside the Samaritaine department store at 9 R. de la Monnaie in the 1st arrondissement
• 101 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement
• Inside the Galeries Lafayette department store at 35 Bd Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement
• They have a restaurant inside the Gare Saint-Lazare train station at Passerelle Eugénie, also in the 8th arrondissement

Gem la Patisserie

One of the newest names on the Paris macaron scene, Gem la Patisserie puts a Southeast Asian spin on the classic French macaron. Instead of the usual pistachio or rose, you'll find ube (a purple yam) with salted butter caramel, sriracha with salted butter caramel, pandan, pineapple, black sesame, and coconut.

It's a small shop tucked into the 2nd arrondissement, so it's easy to walk right past, but if you love the idea of classic French technique meeting bold, unexpected flavors, it's worth seeking out.

Address: 1 Rue de Marivaux in the 2nd arrondissement

VG Pâtisserie (Vegan Macarons)

If you or someone in your travel group is vegan, VG Pâtisserie is worth knowing about. Founded by chef Bérénice Leconte, it was Paris's first fully vegan patisserie, making classic French pastries, macarons included, without any milk or eggs.

Their macarons change with the season, but blackberry violet and chocolate hazelnut are two flavors that regularly appear and earn high marks from visitors. The shells and fillings use techniques Leconte spent years developing to match the taste and texture of a traditional macaron.

Address: 123 Bd Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement

A few other special macarons to consider:

• The olive oil macaron from Arnaud Larher at 93 Rue de Seine (in the 6th) or 53 Rue Caulaincourt in the 18th.
• The chocolate passion fruit macaron from Pierre Marcolini at 89 Rue de Seine (in the 6th).
• Sébastien Degardin is pushing the boundaries by playing with batter and consistency in a new version called maronis, available at 200 Rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th.
• The chocolate and Earl Grey macaron from Victor & Hugo at 40 Bd Raspail in the 7th.
• The nougat macaron from Maison Mulot, 76 Rue de Seine, in the 6th.
• Coco Chanel didn't just love the hot chocolate at Angelina's; she nibbled on their macarons too! The main store is at 226 Rue de Rivoli in the 1st.
• NOTE: Café Pouchkine, which had one of my favorite desserts and lovely macarons, is now closed.

Macaron classes and tours in Paris

Two great ways to go all in on macaron madness are to take a macaron class while in Paris (so you can learn how to make them at home!) or do a macaron tour. Pastry lovers with a sweet tooth for more than macarons should also check out the best chocolate classes in Paris.

Where to buy Macarons in the US

If you love French macarons but aren't traveling to France, you still have options!

• If you live in the Phoenix area, head over to Decadent Macaron.
• If you are in North Carolina like me, get them at La Farm bakery.
• Order from the Macaron Queen or the Macaron Bar!
• La Maison Du Chocolat Artisanal Macarons are available on Amazon.
• No plans to travel to Paris soon? No problem! You can visit a Ladurée store in the US or buy online and have them shipped anywhere in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions about Macarons

What makes a good macaron?

Although you might have several variations of a macaron, there are some elements to look out for when searching for a good macaron.

• The cookie-to-filling ratio matters. Ideally, the ratio should be 1:1 or even 2:1. If the filling is too thin or can't meet the ends, the taste and texture are compromised.
• The filling should be firm, smooth, and light, like a ganache. If it is too sticky or too runny, it will ruin the macaron. Similarly, the filling should not leave behind marks when eaten.
• For the cookie's texture, the outer shell should be smooth. If you see bumps, it means the almonds were not finely ground during the process.
• The biscuit should be easy to bite into and have a slightly soft, chewy interior.
• Flavors make the French macaron. Let your flavors shine through and avoid adding too much sugar.

How about you? Have you bought macarons in Paris? Where is your favorite spot? What's your favorite flavor? Do tell!

Make Macarons at Home

Can't make it to Paris for your macaron fix, or have you fallen so in love with them that you want to try your hand at making your own? Good news — you don't need a plane ticket to bring a little piece of Parisian pâtisserie into your own kitchen. I've put together a complete guide to French macaron recipes covering everything from a foolproof basic shell and buttercream filling to over twenty flavor variations, including strawberry, salted caramel, lavender, and even vegan and keto versions.

Whether you're a first-time baker or looking to perfect your technique, you'll find step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips for common mishaps like hollow shells or missing feet, and plenty of inspiration to create your own little parcels of joy at home.

Like it? PIN it!