Discover Provence's most famous sweet factory at the Roy René Calisson Museum

Calisson, also known as calisson d'Aix, is a typically Provençal speciality. Traditionally shaped like a navette, this sweet confection, usually made from a mixture of candied melon andalmond paste topped with royal icing, is a real delicacy. The ingredients are quite expensive and it takes a long time to prepare, which makes the calisson a relatively expensive delicacy reserved for special occasions: for example, the sweet is one of the thirteen traditional desserts of Provence.

The exact origin of the calisson is not known, but it is thought to have originated in Aix-en-Provence in the 12th century. Others say that the pastry was imported to Provence by one of King René 's cooks in the middle of the 15th century. Whatever the case, today the calisson is an inseparable part of Provence and the pride of the people of Aix.

Created in 1920, the Roy René brand is THE benchmark when it comes to calissons. Its factory is located on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, among lavender and almond trees, and boasts a museum that promises a cultural and gourmet visit. On a self-guided or guided tour, you'll discover the history of the famous sweet, from the old almond crusher to the new technologies that enable calissons to be made using virtual tools.

Visitors can learn more about the life cycle of almond trees through the seasons, flowering and harvesting. Thanks to large picture windows, visitors can also observe what goes on in the factory and follow the work of the confectioners at the various stages of production. And of course, the experience would not be complete without ending with a tasting of the delicious calissons.

The Roy René calisson museum has another surprise in store for visitors: two hectares of gardens that tell the story of the almond tree in Provence. More than 300 almond trees used to produce calissons flourish in the Roy René gardens. Alongside them, 56 almond trees of 19 different French species make up a heritage and conservation orchard.

Eleven beehives have been installed to help pollinate the almond trees, and flowers have been sown to help the bees and support biodiversity. With the same idea in mind, aromatic and medicinal plants are planted alongside fruit trees. These fruit trees are regularly used in the production of Roy René's fruity calissons, which you can find in the museum shop.

The calisson d'Aix is one of the gastronomic emblems of Provence, so a visit to the Roy René calisson museum is a must during your stay in Aix-en-Provence! Allow around 30 minutes for a self-guided tour of the museum, an hour for a guided tour and 45 minutes for a visit to the Roy René gardens.

🚌 How do I get to the Roy René calisson museum?

To the north of Aix-en-Provence, the Roy René calisson museum is accessible by public transport thanks to buses 240 and 250, which serve theCalisson stop.

By car, the museum is about 20 minutes' drive from the city centre via the D7N. Private parking is available on site.

⏰ Timetable for the Roy René calisson museum

The Roy René Calisson Museum is open from 9.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5.30pm on Sundays.

The Roy René gardens are open every day from 9.30am to 6pm.

The estate is closed on 1 January.

👛 Prices for the Roy René calisson museum

• Self-guided tour: free
• Access to the Roy René gardens: free
• Guided tour + tasting: €5 (free for under-18s and Aix-en-Provence City Pass holders)
• Special guided tour for children: €3 per child aged 5 to 17 (free for accompanying adults)

👉 Visits to the Roy René calisson museum do not require booking. If you would like to book a guided tour, go directly to the official Roy René calisson museum website.