Calisson d’Aix: where to taste it at Christmas markets

The calisson d’Aix is a confection from Aix-en-Provence in the shape of a shuttle, made from candied melon and ground almonds, set on a base of unleavened wafer and glazed with sugar. It is one of the sweets of the thirteen desserts, and the Christmas markets of Provence and the Côte d’Azur sell it at the confectioner’s stall, with the nougats, the navettes and the candied fruit.

Where to buy calissons at a Christmas market

Aix-en-Provence is the calisson’s home town and its Christmas market sells it on home ground. Marseille and Toulon offer it with nougats, navettes, candied fruit and fougasse, as do Salon-de-Provence, Hyères, Cavaillon, Fréjus, Martigues, Antibes and Cannes. In Aubagne and Draguignan, it is sold among the thirteen desserts, alongside nougat and pompe à l’huile.

The calisson is sold by the box, often diamond-shaped, or loose. It is a confection that keeps, which makes it a gift brought back from the market rather than a sweet eaten on the spot. For the Provençal Christmas table it belongs to, our guide to Christmas in Provence tells the story of the thirteen desserts and the gros souper.

What is a calisson d’Aix made of

Three layers. Underneath, a base of unleavened wafer. In the middle, a paste of ground almonds and candied melon. On top, a royal icing of egg white and sugar, which gives the smooth white surface.

The shuttle shape evokes a smile.