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Pierre Hermé, the French pastry chef and chocolatier, who is known all over the world for his top-quality macaroons, opened his first boutique in Luxembourg in June. The Alsatian, who used to live in the Grand Duchy, answers KACHEN’s questions.
If you, Pierre Hermé, entered one of your shops and had to choose 3 macaroons for a personal tasting, which would you choose and why?
My first choice would be a Mogador macaroon with milk chocolate and passion fruit. It’s a blend that leaves a lasting impression, with every second customer talking about it. Of course, I’d also go for the Ispahan, one of the company’s signature flavours – rose, lychee and raspberry – which is used not only in macaroons but also in cakes, ice creams, chocolates, pies…
Finally, I’d like to choose a macaroon from this season, Jardin en Sicile, for the freshness of the orange combined with the basil blossom.
![](https://u3t7s5p3.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AH21_MAC_MOGADOR_AMB_2_BD-©Laurent-Fau.jpg.webp)
![](https://u3t7s5p3.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AH21_MAC_ISPAHAN_AMB_2_BD-©Laurent-Fau-1024x780.jpg.webp)
So there is a Pierre Hermé shop in Luxembourg. Are you planning to open a Café Pierre Hermé or a chocolaterie in the future? Other shops here?
We hadn’t even planned to move to Luxembourg. It is a story of meetings. The owner of the boutique (at 6 rue Aldringen, in the Royal Hamilius, ed.) really wanted to open a Pierre Hermé boutique. At first we said we’d look into it, and then things happened. We don’t have any other plans.
The first person I called was Jeff Oberweis. When I told him we were moving in, he replied very politely and very kindly, as always, with a: “Welcome to Luxembourg!
Yes, I will be offering an exclusive macaron for Luxembourg
You’ve known the Oberweis family for a long time. Won’t this opening put you in competition with them?
Absolutely not. Oberweis is an institution in Luxembourg. It’s a model of its kind in terms of development, quality and expertise, it’s crazy! And their offer is much broader than ours. In 1995, I worked on the opening of the Intercontinental hotel (now Hilton) in Luxembourg. That’s when I was advised to meet Pit Oberweis. He helped and advised me at the time. Jeff, with whom I have the most contact today, also worked with me at Fauchon and we’re both members of the Relais Desserts association (which brings together the world elite of Haute Pâtisserie and of which Pierre Hermé and Jeff Oberweis are vice-presidents, editor’s note). We get on very well!
As you have created the Eiffel Tower macaroons (Jardin sur les Toits – Jardin sur la Seine), are you planning an exclusive macaroon for Luxembourg?
At first, when we set up in a country, we offer the classics from the collection. Then I create one or two products based on local flavours. So yes, I don’t know what it will be yet, but I will be offering an exclusive macaron for Luxembourg.
You delighted King Charles III and Camilla during their visit to France last September. Are you planning to please the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as well?
I don’t know, why not? It’s still early days, we haven’t made any contacts yet. We’ll see.
Everyone has their own metaphors for you. Do you prefer “the Picasso of patisserie” or “the Dior of desserts”, or do you prefer something else?
The Picasso of pastry is the one that comes up most often, not that I prefer it to any other. It’s a metaphor coined by a journalist from American Vogue magazine who followed me around for a week and whom I became friends with. He was interested in the way I worked and wrote a really in-depth article. He called me “the Picasso of pastry”. It’s his, not mine, but I can only say that it was taken up…
The official opening of the Luxembourg boutique is planned for the autumn. Will you be there?
Of course, it will be an opportunity for me to come back. I lived in Luxembourg for a year, between the Eich-Dommeldange district and the Intercontinental Hotel. I’m always happy to come back!
![](https://u3t7s5p3.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Boutique-Pierre-Herme-©Margaux-Gayet-et-Valentin-Chemineau.jpg.webp)
Pierre Hermé
8, rue Aldringen
2249 Luxembourg
Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
Photos : Pierre Hermé : Patrick-Rougereau / Macaroons : Laurent Fau / Boutique : Margaux Gayet et Valentin Chemineau