THE LADURÉE STORY
For over 160 years, Ladurée has embodied the excellence of French pastry and the Parisian art of living. Blending heritage, innovation, and refinement, the Maison continues to enchant sweet lovers worldwide. Discover the story of a Maison that has been constantly reinventing itself since 1862.
A story of passion
An address is born on Rue Royale.
Louis Ernest Ladurée, son of bakers who became millers, opened a bakery in the heart of Paris, on rue Royale. Located in the popular Madeleine district, a hub of luxury commerce, gourmet food and gastronomy, the establishment quickly attracted a refined and demanding clientele.
The fire, a new beginning
In 1871, a fire ravaged the shops on Rue Royale. The Ladurée bakery was badly damaged. What could have been its end became a new beginning: it was reborn as a pastry shop.
To decorate the boutique, Jules Chéret, later known as a poster artist, was chosen. His work, inspired by the ceilings of the Opéra Garnier and the Sistine Chapel, gave Maison Ladurée a new style. His joyful, winged angels, the future “pastry angels,” became the artistic emblems of the Maison. The interior was painted in a celadon green hue, which became Ladurée's signature.
The creation
A brilliant idea: creating a tea room
Jeanne Souchard, Ernest Ladurée's wife, had a groundbreaking idea: she merged pastry-making with coffee, creating one of the first tea rooms in Paris. This visionary concept offered women a space of freedom and refinement on the first floor of the boutique on Rue Royale.
The macaron enters into legend
A few years later, Pierre Desfontaines, Louis-Ernest Ladurée's second cousin, created a macaron that would mark the history of pastry. Two crisp meringue shells joined by a sweet and indulgent filling. This creation became the signature of Maison Ladurée, a symbol of French chic.
A House that opens itself to the world
In 1993, the Holder family took over Ladurée with one ambition: to spread the French art of living beyond Paris.
A second location opened in 1997 at 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and a third on Rue Bonaparte. This marked the beginning of international expansion with its first location in London at Harrods in 2005, followed by New York, Tokyo, and beyond. The macaron became an icon of accessible luxury as Ladurée boutiques established themselves in major cities around the world. Each location, conceived as a showcase dedicated to the art of French pastry, reflects the Maison's dreamlike world with coherence and refinement.
In March 2021, Ladurée joined the LOV Group, driven by the desire to continue promoting the French art of living.
Julien Alvarez, Pastry Chef at Maison Ladurée
In 2021, Julien Alvarez became the Head Pastry Chef of Maison Ladurée.
His ambition/challenge: to celebrate 160 years of history, imagine new creations, and perpetuate the excellence that so aptly defines Ladurée. Balancing bold creations with fidelity to Ladurée's DNA, he opens a new chapter, marked by the launch of Eugénie, an iconic confection with international renown.