Ladurée vs. Pierre Hermé for macarons?
 

And which are your favorite flavors?

I haven't tried Pierre Hermé, but the one time I had Ladurée I was underwhelmed. I've had better macarons at some of the little independent bakeries here in Tours (cheaper too).
I'm always meaning to try something exotic, but I always crumble and go for chocolate!

Both, ideally!

Pierre Hermé flavours are more unusual and original, such as vanilla and olive oil or grapefruit and wasabi. Utterly delicious of course. But the more classic flavours at Ladurée are so tasty too.

So... If you are a traditionalist stick with Ladurée, but if you like to be more experimental with your food go for Pierre H.

But if you can, get some from both and then you can make up your own mind :)

I prefer Pierre Herme. I tried PH for the first time, during my last trip to Paris. Don't know how seasonal the flavors are but I loved the salted burnt caramel, the black currant, the orange kumquat and the passionfruit chocolate. I not only loved the flavors, but I loved the texture of the cookie better than the ones at Laduree's.

I prefer Laduree; I find the Pierre Herme to be cloyingly sweet.
Fave flavors are caramel du sel and pistache!

Also try some from Gerard Mulot.

Mulot - "pape des macarons" - is way my favorite over all the others.

While I've always loved Ladurée, I've grown weary of standing in the interminable line to purchase a box. We now buy most of our macarons at Arnaud Delmontel. (Locations in the 9th, 17th and 18th)

http://www.arnaud-delmontel.com/macaron.php


@gwan <<I've had better macarons at some of the little independent bakeries here in Tours (cheaper too).>>

Oh, gwan, I long for the huge macarons I would buy at a tiny bakery the while I was in Tours for a study abroad stay. I still go there when I visit. They were only 1€ each back in 2004. Can't remember the name of the shop, but it is located on rue du Commerce a couple of blocks from rue National where the street changes names from rue Colbert. Chocolate and strawberry are the only two flavors they have or at least on the days I've stopped by. Tours me manque!

There are so many places to find great macarons in Paris.

Have you tried Arnaud Larher?
http://www.chocoparis.com/arnaud-larher/

@crepes_a_go_go - ooh, thanks for the recommendation! The best ones I know of are the chocolaterie opposite the Musée de Beaux Arts and a bakery about three-quarters of the way up Rue Nationale. But I am going to have to hunt this place down! And if I have to try every bakery on the rue de Commerce... *shrugs* :D

Just read the Laduree BUYS their macarons from the same company as Paris McDonald's!!!No recos I detest macarons..too sweet

When PH first opened their shop on rue Bonaparte I had a rose macaron that was wonderful.

However, on our last two visits we found them to not be as good. The Laduree down the street was significantly better.

((I))

We like Gerard Mulot and Pierre Herme better than Laduree because of the more interesting and varied selections. If you want a nice raspberry macaron, Laduree is a better option.

I agree with grandmere -

I prefer Laduree; I find the Pierre Herme to be cloyingly sweet.
Fave flavors are caramel du sel and pistache!

Ohh the memories!

I agree with grandmere -

I prefer Laduree; I find the Pierre Herme to be cloyingly sweet.
Fave flavors are caramel du sel and pistache!

Ohh the memories!

There is only one way for you to be absolutely sure which ones you like best. You wouldn't want to leave this to chance.

I just checked, Herme and Laduree are mere blocks apart on rue Bonaparte! And then we can hit Patrick Roger on the way back to L'Isle! Very fun!

@gwan, so what will you give me for this valuable information? ;) I Google street-viewed for you! 59 rue du Commerce, next door to Le Casbah, their sign over the door simply says Boulanger-Patissier. She doesn't have the macarons everyday, but you can call and ask her which days she has them and she will gladly hold some for you until you can pick them up. She's a very nice older lady.

I hope you like them. My host mother adores them and she has spent the entirety of her 60 years in Tours so she is a vrai française!

Bless you and Google Street View! :D I will definitely check them out, thankyou!