Musee du Calisson (Calisson Museum), Aix-en-Provence

The Musée du Calisson is a small museum about a traditional local sweet, located inside the Confiserie du Roy René factory where calissons are still made. A first version opened around 2004, while the current modern site dates from about 2014–2015. The museum also explains the origins of the candy, often linked to 1454 and the wedding of King René and Jeanne de Laval.

The visit usually starts with a short film explaining how calissons are made. The recipe uses ground almonds, candied melon, and orange peel, shaped into an oval and topped with a layer of icing. After the film, visitors can look into the production area through large glass windows. This makes it easy to follow each step, from mixing the ingredients to shaping and cutting the sweets, while confectioners work in real time.

The museum also includes displays of old tools, historical photos, and some interactive elements that explain how production has changed over time while keeping the same basic recipe. At the end of the visit, there is a tasting of freshly made calissons. A shop nearby offers different flavors and boxed sets, which many visitors choose to take home.