From tree to almond
It all starts with the almond tree, the majestic tree that gives rise to the macaroon’s flagship ingredient. Through a richly documented scenographic space, discover its culture, from roots to fruit, through the fragility of its flowers and the importance of bees in its environment. Did you know that only one in three almonds is born? This tour immerses you in the deep connection between nature and culture.
An agriculture between tradition and commitment
The museum takes you behind the scenes of demanding arboriculture, with ancestral techniques and ecological innovations. Through a lively and accessible approach, understand the environmental challenges related to almond cultivation, the essential place of pollinators and the sustainable commitments made by the Maison Rannou-Métivier, creator of the museum.
The macaroon in all its states
From its millenary journey to Montmorillon, via the royal courts, convents and large French houses, the macaroon has gone through the centuries. Old recipes, period tools, manufacturing secrets, etc., follow all the steps that turn almond into an exceptional treat, and discover the many faces of the macaroon through a tasty Tour de France.
The macaroon of Montmorillon
Reported to France in the 16th century by Catherine de Medici, the recipe for Macaron, a biscuit made of almonds, sugar and egg whites, quickly spread to many cities. Among them, Montmorillon has been renowned for its macaroons with a tender heart of almonds since 1811. The Macaron is present there from the seventeenth century and over the centuries has become the essential specialty of the city.
Today, Maison Rannou-Métivier is the oldest Macarons factory in Montmorillon. The traditional recipe has remained unchanged for over 150 years and is passed on to the same family from one generation to the next with the same know-how and passion.
The magic of gestures and tools
Discover our area dedicated to the biscuit maker’s traditional tools, including the drummer, the tunnel oven and the almond pruner, all of which demonstrate craftsmanship. An immersive reenactment takes you to a 19th-century biscuit shop, where every gesture and machine tells the story of how macaroons were made. On the wall of the collections: sieves, scales, pastry syringe and kneading, reveal the secrets of perfect textures and proportions.
A family story
The museum is also the result of a passionate family saga, that of the house Rannou-Métivier, craftsmen for five generations. From trade fairs of yesteryear to fairs, workshops to shops, follow the passage of time and enter the world of a house that has been able to showcase local know-how at the service of taste, tradition and innovation.
A fun course for small gourmands
Accompanied by the "Little Pastrymen" the children discover the museum at their own pace thanks to a fun and interactive course, mixing games, anecdotes and sensory discoveries. An original way to make them aware of nature, the seasons, the taste... and the magic of the macaroon.
The gourmet moment
At the end of this journey between roots and traditions, it gives way to the emotion of the senses. The visit ends naturally with a tasting of the famous Macarons of Montmorillon, prepared according to the traditional recipe of the Maison Rannou-Métivier. A sweet, authentic and generous break, to fully enjoy all the richness of this preserved heritage.
The Macaron Museum is not just an exhibition venue: it is an experience to live with the family, an invitation to slow down, to marvel, to taste and to pass on.
Whether you are fond of sweets, curious about nature or a lover of heritage, the museum opens the doors to a world where almonds are queen.
English (UK)