Calissons: The Sweet Heart of Provence

What is a calisson?

At first glance, a calisson looks beautifully simple.
Shaped like a small almond or leaf, each one is made from finely ground almonds, candied melon, candied orange peel and sugar, carefully blended into a smooth paste before being topped with a delicate layer of royal icing and placed on a thin wafer.
The result is unlike almost any other confectionery. Soft without being chewy, sweet but never overpowering, with the rich flavour of almonds balanced by the gentle freshness of candied fruit. They're often compared to marzipan, but any Provençal will tell you they're something entirely different.

The story begins in Aix-en-Provence

Although almonds have been cultivated around the Mediterranean for centuries, the calisson as we know it today is inseparable from Aix-en-Provence.
The most famous legend takes us back to the wedding of King René of Anjou and Jeanne de Laval. According to tradition, the queen rarely smiled, but when she tasted this delicate almond sweet she finally broke into a smile. Someone is said to have exclaimed in Provençal, 'Di calin soun' ('they are little kisses'), giving birth to the name calisson.
Whether every detail is true hardly matters. The story has become part of the identity of Aix, and today strolling through the city without seeing the windows of its famous confectioners would be almost impossible.

A tradition that lives on

Every September, Aix-en-Provence celebrates the Blessing of the Calissons, commemorating both the city's confectionery heritage and a historic vow made during the seventeenth century.
For many families, calissons also remain one of the Thirteen Desserts of Christmas.
Growing up, we knew that when the box of calissons appeared, Christmas had truly begun. They weren't everyday sweets. They were a little luxury, enjoyed slowly after a festive meal alongside nougat, dried fruits and the other traditional desserts.
They also made one of the most thoughtful gifts you could offer. Whether visiting friends in Provence or bringing a little taste of home to family in the UK, a beautiful box of calissons always felt elegant, generous and unmistakably Provençal.
Protecting Provence's almond heritage
For centuries, almond trees covered the countryside around Aix-en-Provence and throughout the Durance Valley. As imported almonds became cheaper, many orchards disappeared.
Today, producers including Maison Léonard Parli, Roy René and several other historic confectioners are helping reverse this trend by supporting local growers, encouraging the planting of new almond orchards and increasing their use of locally grown almonds.
Every new orchard helps preserve Provence's landscape, supports local agriculture and ensures future generations can continue making authentic calissons from local ingredients.

Why we chose Maison Léonard Parli

When we started looking for the producer behind the calissons we offer at Tariette, we wanted a house that genuinely represented the history and craftsmanship of Provence.
Founded in 1874 in Aix-en-Provence, Maison Léonard Parli has spent more than 150 years perfecting its recipes while remaining committed to traditional methods and exceptional ingredients.
Working with them wasn't simply about choosing a supplier. It was about partnering with a family business that shares our passion for preserving Provençal traditions and supporting local producers.

How Provençaux enjoy calissons

Locals enjoy calissons after Sunday lunch with coffee, with a glass of chilled Muscat, as gifts when visiting friends and, above all, as one of the Thirteen Desserts at Christmas.
Like so many Provençal traditions, calissons are about slowing down, sharing and celebrating simple moments together.

Bringing a little taste of Provence to the UK

If you'd like to experience authentic calissons from Aix-en-Provence, explore our Traditional Calissons, Flavoured Calissons and Box of Provençal Sweet Treats, all carefully selected from Maison Léonard Parli.
For me, every box still carries the same feeling it did when I was a child: a little luxury, a thoughtful gift and one of the sweetest traditions Provence has to offer.

Thomas