Macaron lovers in New York will be happy to know that legendary Parisian pastry shop Ladurée has announced plans to open a store in that city as early as this summer, according to press reports.

Founded in Paris in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée, the company is notably famous for inventing the double-sided macaron that has become so popular in recent years.

These delicate treats, light and crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, were first created in 1930 by Pierre Desfontaines, a member of the founder’s family who ran the company at the time.

Today, several Parisian pastry shops are also famous for their macarons, including Pierre Hermé and Arnaud Larher.

Ladurée’s macarons come in an amazing array of colours and flavors, including bitter chocolate, orange blossom, coffee, rose, caramel with salted butter, blackcurrant violet, lemon cedrat, praline and more.

The company also sells luxury pastries and chocolates.

Ladurée, which has three stores in Paris as well as several outlets at Roissy airport, already operates stores in the U.K., Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland and Turkey.

The company’s first U.S. store, expected to open in July 2011, will be located at 864 Madison Avenue, in the premises formerly occupied by Italian shoe store Santoni.



Update: Ladurée’s New York store is now scheduled to open on Friday, August 26 at 1 p.m.
Store hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.