Le Roy René

 Founded in 1920 in Aix en Provence, Le Roy René is still a family business specializing in Provençal confectionery. The Calissons are today a landmark of the city.

 Good King Roi René was born in Angers in 1409 and died in Aix en Provence at the age of 71. He was king of Naples, of Jerusalem, of Sicily and Aragon. In Aix en Provence and in Angers he maintained a literary court and scholarly court. Besides the arts, he was also interested in plants. He opened the botanical garden in Marseille and planted flowers, fruit varieties and roses in his experimental garden. Le Roi René was one of the greatest patrons of the Middle Ages. He was therefore called the "good" king, le bon Roi.

 We put a smile on your face

in 1454 he married Jeanne de Laval, who was famous for her beauty. Legend has it that his patissier invented a pastry in the shape of a laugh for her. As soon as she ate a piece of it, your face lit up. "Di calin soun", "Ce sont des câlins!" (caresses) it was called, which later became the Calissons.

White nougat is also produced at Le Roy René. The commonality between the two products is the almonds. The white nougat is made with almonds, pistachios, lavender honey and beaten egg whites, while the Calissons is made with one third each of ground almonds, candied melon and hot sugar syrup.

Le Roy René is an "Entreprise du patrimoine Viant" (EPV), a company that upholds cultural heritage. This is a special award for which you have to apply as a company. More details on the blog.