Pierre Herme – Paris – Best Macarons and Pastries!

Hello and greetings from Europe!
If you don’t already know, I’m currently on my France (Paris) – Netherlands (Amsterdam) – Belgium (Antwerp) – 16th – 24th May 2012 escapade! :DD

Presently on my 4th day, I’m a bit exhausted but still thrilled with the new sights and experiences everyday. The 6 hours difference was only felt at night, especially around 8pm Amsterdam time (which is equivalent to Malaysian 2am). I just had to sleep after 8pm!

Anyhow, I transited via Paris and had one day to sight-see in this beautiful city. Ohhhh, I love Paris. It took a while for me to get my bearings, but I was lucky to meet a few kind souls who helped me as I moved around the city.

There’s much to share, but being a dessert lover, I had to share this first!
I had finally tasted the famous macarons from Pierre Herme! *jumps for joy*

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Simply put, there’s no macarons in Malaysia that could came close to this. Not even the famous Nathalie’s or Le Deux Garcons Pâtisserie – Bangsar, both of which are acclaimed to be the most ” authentic” macarons outlets in KL; and not any home bakers or in any hotels.

I now understood the hype about Pierre Herme.

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To be fair, I’m no baker so I do not know if it’s the weather or the flour and raw ingredients, but our bakeries in Malaysia has a long way to go to match the macarons and pastries in Pierre Herme.

No photography were allowed within its wall; and its only for take-away. Service was 1st class, warm and friendly and they allow you to browse around to your heart’ s content. Though it was busy throughout the 30 minutes I was in the shop, the service staff was helpful and took time to explain about the items that I pointed out (all descriptions were in French) and even recommended some according to my preference.

In the end I bought 2 macarons and a croissant, simply because I know how difficult it is to get good croissants in Malaysia, and also because you can’t walk into Pierre Herme and not sample his macarons!

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For the record, I hate macarons. I won’t eat it even if you give it to me for free. I won’t eat it unless you pay me to. Yes, that’s how much I detest it. For tasting purposes, I had grudgingly sampled macarons from a lot of bakeries and shops in KL, but I never took more than a bite.
Macarons are ridiculously empty shells of plain saccharine.

Pierre Herme macarons: MACARON GRAND FORMAT MOSAIC (Vanilla macaron biscuit, pistachio cream flavoured with cinnamon, morello cherries) and MACARON GRAND FORMAT MOGADOR (Macaron biscuit, passion fruit and milk chocolate ganache). Each 1.95 Euro and it was the best money I have ever spent on macarons!

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MACARON GRAND FORMAT MOSAIC – A circular shell, crisp outside, moist and tender inside, garnished with a rich pistachio cream flavoured with cinnamon and containing pieces of morello cherry.

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My friend who went to Paris before once told me that the macarons in France are nothing like the macarons in Malaysia. I had not believed her then, after all it’s essentially still diabetically sweet right? Oh no, she said. In France the macarons are actually not so sweet!

Well, I believe her now. The shells were airy and the outer layer wonderfully crisp and crumbly. The almond nuttiness were distinctive and it’s not all just sugar and air. The insides of the shells were airy and pillowy soft. Overall it’s sweet of an enjoyable level rather than the usual diabetic inducing  sweetness that commonly plague the macarons we have in Malaysia. The pistachio filling were lovely; fresh, full of the intended flavours and matched very well with the shell.

Pierre Herme says:

Macarons only weigh a few grams, but that’s enough to leave your senses quivering with pleasure. Their thin, crisp shell, slightly rounded shape, tempting colours and tender interiors draw devotees to devour them with their eyes, and caress their smooth surface. Their flavours solicit the nose and, when one bites into that crisp shell, the ears tingle with pleasure and the palate is finally rewarded.”

And I concur!

MACARON GRAND MAGADOR. This was just as good! The chocolate passionfruit filling was perfect. The sour and fruity sweetness of the passionfruit paired very well with the chocolate which was milky and not too sweet.

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For pastry, I had this one: Croissant Ispahan. €1.80.

http://www.pierreherme.com/products/viennoiseries/croissant-ispahan.html
” Buttery-rich puff pastry, rose-flavoured almond paste, compote made with raspberries from the Haut-Vivarais region and litchis. Upon the first bite, one finds it difficult to resist its rose and almond paste delicious flavour highlighted with raspberry and litchi compote. It’s all topped off with rosewater glaze and a sprinkling of small raspberry pieces. This croissant will have lovers of Ispahan melting with pleasure.”

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The description says it all. I love this and I won’t mind having such wonderfully made croissants everyday! The almond and rose paste was distinctively fragrant; emitting all feel and thoughts of pink, flowers and rose. The fruity raspberry filling was very nicely sweet with a tinge of sourness , but very well balanced!

And just as I’m a fan of Pierre macarons, I’m now convinced that his croissants are just as marvellous as his reputation made it to be. I never knew such perfect flaky wonders in a croissant. Layer after layer was crispy and light. Even the internal layers, though not crisp; are not overly oily or sticky “wet”.

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While most croissant I had before tend to overglaze it with butter for the aroma and buttery texture, Pierre achieved that without having to do so.

And thus the reason why he reigns as one of France’s best pastry chefs.

Pierre Herme, Paris.
72 rue Bonaparte in the Saint Germain des Prés

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Note: 1 Euro is +- RM4.00.

Today’s another day in Europe, and I’ll be sightseeing in Amsterdam.
You can follow me on Twitter and visit my Fanbook as I update them daily with pictures whenever I’m back in the hotel! :DD

**Update: My video is up! :DD Comments?

 

Wackybecky’s Europe Adventures 16th -23rd May 2012 was made possible thanks to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Malaysia!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KLMMalaysia
Website: http://www.klm.com/travel/my_en/index.htm

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This Post Has 34 Comments

  1. Kash

    Hope you enjoy the holidays. I think you came at the right time, the weather is going to get warmer!!! Why not pop by to Dublin for a day or two??

    1. rebeccasaw

      heyo!
      yea, weather is just nice in the afternoons, but cold at night and in the mornings. Too bad i missed the shopping sales.
      Dublin? ermm havent got a place to stay and since it’s Europe it;s going to be expensive. just travelling from amsterdam to venlo = euro60.
      and to Rosendaal – euro 34. thats all withiin Holland!
      imagine if cross border. anyhow im going to Antwerp cos Rosendaal is really near Antwerp

      1. Kash

        You can get some nice hotels for as low as €50 in Dublin city centre. Flights to Amsterdam same price as well. Pity you can’t make it cos the weather is going to pick up from tomorrow. Yeah we had shit weather the last 7 weeks. Oh since you are going to Antwerp, don’t forget the diamond shops, they are a girls best friend anyway,lol.

      2. rebeccasaw

        Nah, euros are crazy. Not going to fly anywhere or stay at anymore hotels. Yup, will visit the diamond shops if there’s time. My philosophy – if you cant afford it don’t bother to look. But heck, maybe I’ll just go into ONE shop. LOL

  2. Akulah Pak Lan

    Europe, a mind blowing experience for those bread and dessert lovers…

    I bet there are a lot of things to try and see until you cant decide where to go if you dont have proper plan for your trip… such a big region to cover.

    p/s: bring back some bread =p

    1. rebeccasaw

      Yes, im here for 6 days, cover 3 countries’ capitals. and a lot of time spent travelling rather than sightseeing!

  3. Edi神

    sedap… tis arer new stuffs !

    1. rebeccasaw

      Its really good here in Paris! Sigh.. for someone who doesnt eat macarons and croissants, i would gladly eat this everyday!

  4. Caroline

    OMG!! I love macaron very much! But again, i dnt like those overly sweet one. And yours at there seriously make me crave for one now! 🙁

    1. rebeccasaw

      You love macarons?? omg you must come to Paris! It’s here and nowhere else!
      Amazingly, these arent sweet, just a pleasant level nice enough to enjoy

  5. Caroline

    Enjoy ur trip there babe! Looking forward for more posts of your trip! 😀

  6. ulric

    Oi…buy some back for us! 😛

    Anyways keep on enjoying ur trip =)

    1. rebeccasaw

      I wish I can too! They keep well for the flight but I’m flying from Amsterdam not Paris *sobs*

  7. Sean

    oooh, i like pierre herme’s macarons too! i think i’d give them an 8.5/10! still haven’t found a 10/10 macaron yet 😀

    1. rebeccasaw

      Ohhh.. have you tried Laduree? Seems that that’s another one worth checking out!

  8. Caren

    get the macaron’s recipe for me plsss…….

    1. rebeccasaw

      LOL!! Ermm… if he’s obliging enough 😛

  9. Jess

    I never understand why people like macaron because I felt its so sweet & empty. Now I think if I ever going Paris must try Pierre Herme for once. Enjoy your holidays! Take lots of pics!

    1. rebeccasaw

      Thanks Jess! Indeed must try. It changes your whole perception of macarons forever!
      😀

  10. Michelle

    I also cannot tahan macarons that are too sweet. also the fact that i haven’t had desserts for eons means that my sugar tolerance is quite low.

    i’m heading to paris at the end of this year. fingers crossed for pierre herme!!!

    1. rebeccasaw

      GREAT!
      U had so many more macarons at many more places than I did, I’m looking forward to your feedback on this 🙂

  11. Caren

    i baked macarons few times, after change the ratio of icing sugar and almond powder, still sooo sweet leh…that’s the reason y i want their recipe, ha ha ha……….

    1. rebeccasaw

      LOL!! I knw what you mean. Everyone that i know has tried, but none has succeeded in making the macarons less sugary!

  12. msbulat

    This post is good enough fr me to buy a plane ticket and go to Paris now!!! Just wanna know if the macarons can be brought back home to Msia. Friend is there right now and plan to bring some back for me as she knows how much i love macarons (great friend! T_T) so just wanna ask around if anyone knows bout this matter! thnks!:)

    1. rebeccasaw

      Hi dear!
      If she buys and flys back within the same day, it should be fine. The flight itself is about 14 hours. So give and take – additional 4 hrs for her to travel back home, etc.. well, it’s still edible!

    2. rebeccasaw

      Oh I hope I didn’t reply too late! I was travelin the last 2 -3days!

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