Dive into the heart of the Maison Ladurée

A history of taste and passion

In 1862, Louis-Ernest Ladurée opened a bakery in the heart of Paris, on Rue Royale. The address soon became a pastry shop, before being transformed into a tea room thanks to the vision of Jeanne Souchard, his wife. An avant-garde idea that gave birth to a place where the elegant elite of Paris meets, combining gourmet delights with the art of living.

The invention of the double-shell macaron

In the 1950s, Pierre Desfontaines, grand-cousin of Louis-Ernest Ladurée, imagined the macaron as we know it today: two delicate shells, joined by a melting heart of ganache. This creation became Ladurée’s signature and conquered the world, becoming the symbol of French chic.

Julien Alvarez, Head of Sweet Creation

“What fascinates me about Ladurée is being able to combine the heritage of Ladurée with contemporary creativity, focused on respect for nature and the seasons.”

Julien Alvarez is Ladurée’s International Pastry Chef. He draws on the expertise he acquired as pastry chef at the Peninsula, the Café Pouchkine and the Hôtel Bristol in Paris to preserve the identity and uniqueness of Ladurée, while adapting it to changing customer expectations. Ethical sourcing, balanced pastry creations, a focus on craftsmanship and consolidation of Ladurée’s international development are the challenges he takes up every day.

Ladurée around the world

Since its Parisian origins, Ladurée has never ceased to promote the French art of living. Today, Ladurée is present in every corner of the world, with over 90 addresses in the most iconic capitals: Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Dubai…

Each boutique, each tea room, is a refined showcase for the unique spirit of Ladurée: the timeless charm of the decor, the delicate welcome, and above all, the gourmet creations that make the hearts of sweet-lovers beat faster.

From Paris to Hong Kong, our pastry chefs perpetuate the excellence of French craftsmanship, offering original collections that adapt to local tastes while respecting the Ladurée heritage.