PROVENCE'S ALMOND CALISSONS

“Calissons d’Aix” the traditional candy from Provence!

If you happen to visit Provence, then you will most certainly make a stop in the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, birth place of Paul Cezanne, and the Calissons.

While you wander in the streets of the city, stroll along Cours Mirabeau, the boulevard where Camus and Hemingway would have come for lunch when they lived in the city, and appreciate work in art galleries, make sure to stop in of the local Calissons shop.

They are a favourite here at home, and we always make sure to bring a box back with us to London.

Origin...

Its origin dates back to 1454, in the city of Aix-en-Provence, in the South of France.

During the meal celebrating King René's wedding with Jeanne de Laval, the royal pastry chef presented a new confectionery he had invented for the occasion. The queen, who wasn’t a very joyful person, loved the confectionery and smiled. 

She asked what it was, and the pastry chef’s response was “a little hug”. In Provencal “Di calin soun” means “cuddles“. And so was born the sweet that made Queen Jeanne de Laval smile: the calissons! 

Ingredients from Provence...

These pretty candies are made from finely ground sweet almonds, candied Provencal melon et orange peel. There are set on a thin layer of wafer and topped with royal icing. 

The Aix calisson is still made by hand, and is subject to a control with a special designation, assuring that only those in Aix can make a true calisson.