Hundtreds lined up down Robson Street to see the new store. Photo: Helen Siwak of @Eco.Lux.Luv — *Hundtreds lined up down Robson Street to see the new store. Photo: Helen Siwak of @Eco.Lux.Luv*

Popular French luxury bakery and sweets maker Ladurée has opened its first Canadian location at 1141 Robson Street in Vancouver. Retail Insider Vancouver correspondent Helen Siwak attended the opening on Thursday, March 24, where hundreds had lined up along the 1100 block of Robson Street.

The 1,200 square foot store's facade reflects the look of the historic Rue Royale boutique in Paris. Inside, marble-topped gold counters are filled with macarons, viennoiseries (baked goods/pastries), teas, jams and a collection of perfumed candles and home fragrances. The store also features a 16-seat tea salon, with daily tea service and sweet and savoury treats from Ladurée's chefs. Panels depicting the four seasons and Carrara marble-topped cream wooden tables characterize the salon, along with lyre back chairs in rose and almond green hues, and small floral benches.

The Vancouver boutique is open seven days/week, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The lease deal was negotiated by Mario Negris and Martin Moriarty of Vancouver's CBRE Urban Retail Team. Mr. Moriarty said, "It was very exciting to see Canada's first Laduree open on Thursday. The initial reaction has been overwhelmingly positive - line-ups around the block, three days in a row, certainly breeds confidence for the future. This opening, along with the upcoming Nike and Aritizia flagships, purely solidifies Robson's ability to attract the world's premier brands."

Photos: peterwu1992 via Instagram — *Photos: peterwu1992 via Instagram*

"We're honoured to bring a taste of France to Canada," says David Holder, president of Ladurée. "Vancouverites will be the first in the country to have the opportunity to experience the elegance of a Parisian tea salon and can take a piece of Paris home with them from our charming boutique."

Founded in Paris in 1862, Ladurée is best known for its double-decker macarons, selling over 15,000 of them daily. Many Ladurée locations also sell ice cream, sorbets, jams, chocolate and candy, as well as branded accessories. Ladurée was purchased by French business group Groupe Holder in 1993, expanding Ladurée from a handful of locations to dozens of boutiques in 25 countries. The company currently has four American locations, including two in Manhattan and two in Miami.

See more photos below.