Let Them Drink Tea?

H and I just passed through Charles De Gaulle and couldn't resist a large box of Ladurée macaroons to bring back with us to the UK.  Spotting "Marie Antoinette" among the seasonal flavors, we couldn't resist giving it a try.

Between its name and the vivid blue color, it seemed a bit unusual for Ladurée.  Atypically, we were unable to distinguish what the flavor was.  Using the color, name and sugary sweetness, we determined it must be cake batter flavored and chuckled over the historical links.

Sadly, when we got home, I did some research and learned that the Marie Antoinette macaroon is actually flavored with Marie Antoinette tea which is purportedly, "A dulcet marriage of Chinese black tea combined with rose petals, citrus fruit and honey.  A pastoral walk at the Petit Trianon.  A delicious afternoon tea for a sweet and romantic pause. All the spirit of Ladurée."

I love macaroons, and Ladurée's rose tea flavor is one of my favorites, but I personally think that Ladurée could have taken some inspiration from the below when choosing a flavor for Marie Antoinette...

Paris Loves Me

During my last trip to Paris, I was standing on the Champs Elysees waiting for Cartier to open.  It just happened to be the day of Francois Hollande's inauguration and the street was covered in police and there were snipers atop of the Arc de Triomphe.  As the clock ticked past 10:30, I started to wonder if the store was going to delay its opening for the inauguration.  Meanwhile, the police standing nearby were starting to worry why I was still standing on the corner.  In French they demanded,

"Why are you loitering on this corner?"

"Umm, I'm waiting for Cartier to open."

"Hmm," they looked at one another before deciding, "ok, that's ok.  Carry on." 

First I get accused of stroller theft / child forgetting then I get viewed as a terrorist threat for 'loitering' outside of Cartier.  It's not like terrorists shop at Cartier...oh wait, Gaddafi did.