• TO & Travel Agents
  • Medias
Making nougat at the Confiserie du Roy RenéMaking nougat at the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône
©Making nougat at the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence|Julie Vandal

La Confiserie du Roy René :

a Provencal savoir-faire which has risen to the rank of Maison d’Excellence Française
  1. Home
  2. Provence
  3. Things to do
  4. Crafts & Shopping in Provence
  5. La Confiserie du Roy René, a Provencal savoir-faire which has risen to the rank of Maison d’Excellence Française

A historic confectioner of the South of France, le Roy René is partnering with the Provence brand to offer an unusual range which puts two of its flagship products in the limelight: calissons and nougat. Warning, this content can bring on a sudden craving for sweets!

Nougat and calissons, historic delicacies from Provence

The Provence brand has chosen to showcase Le Roy Rene’s emblematic confectionery In its collection of locally-made products. Together, the two brands have created a range of three products: a box of 10 white nougats, a box of 4 calissons and an assortment box, all three decorated with pretty illustrations by Alice Van de Walle. Do you know the history of calissons? They were created in the 15th century for Queen Jeanne de Laval, the wife of King René. When asked what these little delicacies the queen loved so much were, the answer was “di cali soun” which means “they are cuddles”! Calissons and nougat are also part of the old Provencal tradition of the 13 desserts, served on Christmas Eve. And the people of Aix celebrate every first Sunday in September the blessing of calissons, a tradition which dates back to the 17th century.

Range of calissons and nougatsRange of calissons and nougats from Le Roy René and the Provence brand
©Range of calissons and nougats from Le Roy René|Julie Vandal
    Whole shelled almonds from the Confiserie du Roy RenéWhole shelled almonds from the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhône department
    ©Whole shelled almonds from the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence|Julie Vandal

      The quality of the Provencal terroir with the heritage of a unique savoir-faire

      Currently, La Confiserie du Roy René, which has the label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant and is among the Maisons & Savoir-Faire d’Excellence, continues the tradition of the savoir-faire in making calissons, nougat and many other sweet delights such as fruit jellies and biscuits. The manufacturing secrets of these confectioneries have been handed down from generation to generation, and from cauldron to cauldron. Le Roy René’s confectioners have always been inspired by products from the region to make their recipes, where, for example, almonds from Provence and candied melon from Apt enter into the recipe for calissons, along with IGP Provence honey in their black or white nougat. If they’re trying to entice us, they’re doing it right…

      A company committed to the valorisation of local farming

      Originally, almond-growing was one of the oldest Provencal productions. After having been ignored for years, it has progressively found its place in the agricultural limelight, particularly due to the revival of the almond tree initiated by La Confiserie du Roy René. This initiative has enabled the planting of 600 hectares of almond trees in the region since 2015. La Confiserie du Roy René is part of the association Pistache en Provence which promotes the revival of pistachio growing. As both a member and patron of the association Act for Planet, the historic confectionery is financially committed to the planting of trees on the region’s farming lands. It also supports the beekeeping sector and participates in the protection of birds with the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux. Lastly, the Roy René factory is also in a responsible approach with a building which is an approved Sustainable Mediterranean Building.

      Harvested from almond trees at the Confiserie du Roy RenéHarvested from almond trees at the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône
      ©Harvested from almond trees at the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence|Julie Vandal
        Calissons from the Confiserie du Roy RenéCalissons from the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhône department
        ©Calissons from the Confiserie du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence|Julie Vandal

          The Musée du Calisson

          Do you want to know more about how calissons are made and how La Confiserie du Roy René works? The company is open for gourmet tours and also visits of its Calisson Museum. You can follow the making of a batch of calissons in real time, dive into the fascinating world of this savoir-faire, discover the Jardins du Roy where the history of almond trees in Provence is told,  and above all, you can eat delicious sweets! For kids, the museum has guided tours in the form of mysterious investigations, on a quest for the lost calissons …

          Discover

          Close