Calissons: A Provençal Love Story
Calissons are specialty of Aix en Provence, made from ground almond paste (pâte d'amande), sugar and candied cantaloupes, with a paper thin wafer (like the catholic host) at the bottom, and a topping of sugar glaze.
I was doing research for an article I am currently Provence-Hideaways. I came across a wonderful love story involving the last ruler of an independent Provence, King René I and a 22 year old noble lady.
Here is how the legend goes: Calissons were invented by the chef of René I d'Anjou, King of Naples and Count of the Provence. He was the last Prince of the House of Anjou, known as an artist, a lover of culture and a great builder; the last ruler of an independent Provence. You can view his statue on Cours Mirabeau in Aix en Provence. In 1454, a year after his wife Queen Isabelle had died, King René married again. It is said that his bride, beautiful 22 year old Jeanne de Laval, daughter of Isabelle of Brittany and Guy de Laval, was not too happy about marrying a 45 year old man. The Calissons were meant to cheer her up. Reportedly the marriage, albeit childless, turned out to be a very happy one, it lasted 26 years. After King René's death in Aix en Provence in 1480, the Provence became part of the Kingdom of France. Jeanne de Laval was given the Comté de Beaufort in the Champagne, which she ruled benevolently for another 18 years. There are many other legends involving the popular Calissons. Let's just stick with the romantic Jeanne de Laval story. I love it. Calissons must have made her happy.
You want to bake Calissons yourself? Don't ask me, I am an awful patissier! But you find a recipe on 18th century cuisine an interesting blog run by Carolyn Smith-Kizer.
Here are my favorite "Calisson" Confiseries:
Confiserie d'Entrecasteaux 2 Rue d'Entrecasteaux, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 27 15 02
Confiserie Bechard 12 cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 26 06 78
Confiserie du Roy René 10, Rue Clémenceau, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 26 67 86
