The story of Laduree started in 1862 when Louis Ernest Laduree opened a bakery in the heart of Paris at 16 rue Royale. In 1872, following a fire, the little bakery became a pastry shop and the decoration was then done by Jules Cheret, a famous painter and poster-designer of the time. Jeanne Souchard, Ernest Laduree's wife, then had the idea of combining the Parisian cafe with a pastry-shop, thereby creating one of Paris' first tea-rooms.

In 1993 Laduree was bought by Francis and David Holder and becomes one of the best-known gourmet addresses in Paris, a veritable institution with its famous macaron as its emblem. In 1997 Laduree opened a tea-room/restaurant on the prestigious Champs-Elysees, followed by another in the Printemps department store and on the Left Bank as well as the beginning of their international adventure with branches in London, Geneva, Monaco and Tokyo.

In this book Philippe Andrieu, the Pastry Chef at Laduree, reveals 100 of the most famous Laduree recipes, adapted for the general public. From the Strawberry Cake with Rose Choux Pastry to Pistachio Financiers and the world-famous macarons in all their variety, this icon of French art de vivre is brought to life in a pallet of pastries the colour of powder pink, light green, bright purple, and lemon yellow.