Confiserie Léonard-Parli

Confiserie Léonard Parli, 35 Avenue Victor Hugo
Marseille
Marseille & Aix en Provence
France
33 04 42 26 05 71

http://www.leonard-parli.com

Type: Historical Interest

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Housed in a large, yellow, Belle Époque house, fronted by a small, exquisitely decorated display window, the same family has been making calissons since 1874. Founded by a Swiss candy maker who emigrated to France, the company then passed down through the women in his family. According to the current matriarch, Madame Renée Maucourt, the company established the first calisson factory when Léonard Parli invented the machine that mechanized cutting of the bite-sized pieces and also created their distinctive lentil shape. Madame Maucourt, granddaughter-in-law of the founder, enjoys the fact that a business established by a man has been run by strong women ever since. She is keeping up the tradition by training her daughter. In a remark that only a French woman could carry off so matter-of-factly, she said, “Myself, I like to hire strong, smart women and sweet men.” Mme. Maucourt explained that calisson making probably originated here because Aix was the center of both melon and almond growing in France. She suggested that the quality of the local water, for which Aix is famed, might have also contributed. “In Aix, the water is very light and hot. It is spa water. When they make bread it is crusty and light. Whatever is cooked with this water is very light.” The 22 employees of Léonard Parli make their own glacé fruit for the secret recipe. They also make chocolate-covered calissons – called cabossons – and the “13 desserts” that are a Christmas tradition in Provence. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, visit the chic little shop at the front of the factory just to feel as though you’re surrounded by edible jewels.