The macaroon from Joyeuse or the history of a damn good wedding
And also
The tops
What’s this?
This small cake is the speciality of Joyeuse, in Ardèche.
What’s the recipe of this macaron? Almonds, nuts, eggs whites, sugar, flour, without food colouring or preservative!
The little history
Joyeuse is a small city in Ardèche. But it was also the name of Anne, duke of Joyeuse. What’s the link with macaroons?
Well, queen Catherine of Medici specially made macaroons for the marriage’s banquet of Anne and Margaret de Lorraine-Vaudémont, on September 18th 1581.
It was a royal marriage, really! The most beautiful feast ever seen...
A period chronicler, Pierre de L’Estoile, said the marriage, with "tournaments, gifts, music, clothes", cost more than 100 000 crowns to the king! A pretty big sum.
Well, what about Anne? He was the eldest son of Guillaume of Joyeuse and Marthe de Batarnay.
What about the bride? She was the queen’s sister, beautiful, blonde and delicate...
And on that fine September day, the whole court was gathered in Paris, in the church of St-Germain-l’Auxerrois.
Pierre de L’Estoile talked about the event’s magnificence, but also its ridiculous side: the king wanted Anne to be dressed like him, "covered with rich embroideries and gems that cost 10 000 crowns each..."
The party organized by Catherine of Medici (where she served macaroons) took place on October 15th 1581, in Louvre palace.
Anne really enjoyed macaroons... he brought them back in Joyeuse city!