Beyond being part of the action backstage at Paris Fashion Week, why is this the moment for the famous macaron masters to expand into the takeout space? “Simply because we are ready! It is new for us. We have been in the U.S. market for six years now and have been inspired by the to-go way of eating,” Holder says. “It was kind of a mini-revolution for Ladurée.” But, she points out, eating en plein air has been part of the French culture for several centuries. “The French have done picnics forever—just think of François Boucher paintings in the Louvre.”
As for having your own perfectly French picnic? Holder says it’s all about thinking through the whole experience. “For us it is the setup and the details, almost like setting a table,” Holder says. “Lovely containers and delicious food! We live to eat more than eat to live may be the way to describe it.” From Ladurée, you can choose between items like composed salads, finger sandwiches, and elegant crudités. And of course, they all come in chic containers with accents of the brand’s instantly recognizable green packaging.
Photo: Julian Schlosser / Courtesy of Ladurée Picnic
“A Parisian picnic is like a ‘chic-nic,’” Holder says. “It needs to be a pleasure for the eye and the palate.” Choose a picturesque spot for your meal (you can’t go wrong with picking a spot by the Seine or in the Jardin du Luxembourg). Holder insists that “the location matters as much as the food.” Then it’s time to accessorize: “A nice blanket and lovely art de la table elements are key,” Holder says. Lay out your food artfully, open a bottle of wine or sparkling water, and relax into a leisurely meal with friends. After all, you’re still trying to eat the French way. As Holder says, “Taking food to-go is practical and easy, but take your time to enjoy.”
Dining and Cooking