Brémond Fils, a story since 1830
It was in 1830 that Maison Brémond set up its delicatessen on the mythical Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. The city is then the commercial capital of the almond. The address quickly becomes essential and people come from afar to discover and taste a selection of authentic local products in this counter.
Archive from 1920
This House, formerly specialized in almonds, is undoubtedly the oldest factory of Calissons d’Aix and Pralines.
It was also renowned for its olive oils from Provence and around the Mediterranean, its old Italian vinegars, candied fruits, jams, nougats, calissons, not to mention its black truffles, which were already table gems in the 19th century.
This House, formerly specialized in almonds, is undoubtedly the oldest factory of Calissons d’Aix and Pralines.
It was also renowned for its olive oils from Provence and around the Mediterranean, its old Italian vinegars, candied fruits, jams, nougats, calissons, not to mention its black truffles, which were already table gems in the 19th century.
A recipe for calissons unchanged since 1830!
The recipe for Maison Bremond calissons has remained the same since 1830: a mixture of candied melons and crushed almonds from Provence, placed on a sheet of unleavened bread and covered with a thin layer of royal icing.
Discover our box of 16 calissons from Aix-en-Provence and offer them for tea, coffee or simply to welcome your guests looking for Provençal authenticity!
The recipe for Maison Bremond calissons has remained the same since 1830: a mixture of candied melons and crushed almonds from Provence, placed on a sheet of unleavened bread and covered with a thin layer of royal icing.
Discover our box of 16 calissons from Aix-en-Provence and offer them for tea, coffee or simply to welcome your guests looking for Provençal authenticity!
TRADITION: BLESSING THE CALISSONS, “Venite Ad Calicem”
Unknown in Aix before 1348, the terrible scourge of the plague regularly ravaged the population of Aix over the centuries, as everywhere else. One of the most terrible was that of 1629. The magistrates of the City nevertheless took the most severe precautions and even had the inhabitants sequestered in their houses.
We then placed, at each street corner, niches decorated with statues of the Virgin, so that from their homes, the faithful could pray. The niches still exist.
On January 20, 1630, the assessor Martelly, at the head of the notables and the people, attends the high mass and vows to celebrate each year, an office of thanksgiving dedicated to the Virgin of the Seds, holy patroness of the City of Aix. This event was to leave its mark and, until the Revolution, every September 1, the bells of the City rang to remind you of Martelly.
Despite the measures taken, the evil worsened; the Parliament of Provence and the frightened magistrates, left the City. There remained soon only the Provost of the Mimata Chapter, Consul Borilli and the assessor Martelly.
It was during one of these services that the famous Calissons d’Aix, a sort of blessed bread, were distributed.
Program of the ceremony which takes place every 1st Sunday of September
The event will be held on September 3, 2023 this year:
● at 10:30 a.m., Sunday High Mass in the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral by Mgr Christian Delarbre (Archbishop of Aix and Arles) with renewal of the Martelly vow (1630) pronounced by the elected official in charge of Provençal Affairs.
● at 11.45 a.m., From the Cathedral, parade in procession to reach the Cours Mirabeau with the Virgin of the Calissons and the folk groups
● at 2 p.m., folk entertainment at the top of the Cours Mirabeau, in front of the Roy René fountain.
● at 2:45 p.m., Haut du cours Mirabeau – Gathering of folk groups and municipal authorities to reach the church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte.
● at 3 p.m., Arrival of the procession via rue Cardinale (Passocarriero) to the parvis de Saint-Jean and blessing of the calissons of Aix.
● at 4:15 p.m., return in procession to the podium (top of Cours Mirabeau).
● at 4.30 p.m. Official speeches followed by the traditional distribution of calissons from Aix.
● at 5 p.m., Concert.
The event will be held on September 3, 2023 this year:
● at 10:30 a.m., Sunday High Mass in the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral by Mgr Christian Delarbre (Archbishop of Aix and Arles) with renewal of the Martelly vow (1630) pronounced by the elected official in charge of Provençal Affairs.
● at 11.45 a.m., From the Cathedral, parade in procession to reach the Cours Mirabeau with the Virgin of the Calissons and the folk groups
● at 2 p.m., folk entertainment at the top of the Cours Mirabeau, in front of the Roy René fountain.
● at 2:45 p.m., Haut du cours Mirabeau – Gathering of folk groups and municipal authorities to reach the church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte.
● at 3 p.m., Arrival of the procession via rue Cardinale (Passocarriero) to the parvis de Saint-Jean and blessing of the calissons of Aix.
● at 4:15 p.m., return in procession to the podium (top of Cours Mirabeau).
● at 4.30 p.m. Official speeches followed by the traditional distribution of calissons from Aix.
● at 5 p.m., Concert.