The history of the beautiful, preserved turn of the century Parisian tea salons is intimately tied to the history of the Ladurée family.
It all began in 1862, when Louis Ladurée, a miller from the southwest of France, created a bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris, near la Madeleine.
During the same year, the first stone of the Garnier Opera was laid, and the area surrounding the address of the bakery, Madeleine, quickly developed into one of the capital’s most important and elegant business districts.
The most prestigious names in French luxury goods had already taken up residence in this neighborhood.
Please note – still – one hundred and fifty years later – still reign chic on these same streets.
Under the Second Empire, cafes developed and became more and more luxurious, attracting Parisian high society.
Along with the chic restaurants around the Madeleine, they became the showcases of the capital.
The beginning of this century found Paris wrapped up in a frenzy of going out in public. Parisians flocked to the Universal Exposition. Women were also changing. They wanted to make new acquaintances. Literary salons and literature circles were outmoded.
Ladurée’s wife, Jeanne, the daughter of a well-known hotelier in Rouen, was a turn of the century entrepreneur.
She had the idea of mixing styles: the Parisian café and pastry shop.
Alongside her husband, they gave birth to one of the first tea salons in town.
The “salon de thé” had a definite advantage over the cafés: they permitted ladies to gather in freedom.
Today, the mission of Ladurée is to bring back the great classics, having contributed to the reputation of this ‘salon de thé’, as well as create an environment for gastronomic creativity in Paris.
Now, Ladurée is all of this and so much more: an elegant tea salon, pretty pastry shop, romantic restaurant (the savory menu is just as delicious as the sticky sweet pastry bites), chic chocolate shop and an ice cream parlor.
Mon dieu – it’s a massive sidewalk crowd cluster as patient passersby swoon every pastel painted edible detail inside.
Care to step inside yourself, even from the comfort of your own desk?
I am quite sure you will agree there is no website more darling, feminine, flirty, and fun.
Want to join the mad for macs Laduree Club? Be in the know? Hear about all the sweet scoop first?
www.laduree.fr/en/club/newsletter
Need to send a lovely note, guaranteed to bring smile, even via email?
www.laduree.fr/en/club/e-cards-redaction?carte=1&nom=…!
History: Ladurée
Debi,
I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying your posts from Paris. As I sit here in Chicago, with no trips planned anywhere, I experience Paris through you and your impeccable taste. And again, I am so sorry for your loss. Hope to see you when you get back in town.
Judith,
Your comment has absolutely made my day.
I shall charge on, just for you!
Debi