The line outside Pierre Herme's Rue Cambon store

How amazing would it be if he decided to give away free macarons? Well, last month lots of people stood in lines wrapped around the block to find out. For the 5th year, Hermé offered up his full range of macarons for free, in exchange for a parting donation to benefit two charities. The generosity brought in over €7000 (roughly $9300 at today’s exchange rate) for Alliance Maladies Rare and Autours des Williams. Both charities support research into rare diseases.

a Rose Quince and Peach Apricot Saffron macaron

In addition to the charitable contribution, the day also encouraged attendees to give unique flavors like strawberry wasabi and strawberry balsamic vinaigrette a try. “Free Macaron Day was a great opportunity to experience the vast array of flavors and styles from the different macaron makers throughout Paris,” says Jas Ford, who visited two of the participating stores. “As someone that usually sticks to the standard flavors, I had the chance to try some of the more exotic ones all while helping out a great cause.”

While Pierre Herme wasn’t the only participant – Sadaharu Aoki and Jean-Paul Hevin also ran specials, they were certainly the most generous. The lack of lines, and €3 for 3 macaron offer at Sadaharu Aoki (including one of the Japanese-French baker’s delicious chocolate covered macarons) was best runner up. Trying a chocolate covered raspberry or blueberry macaron was a requirement at Aoki , but a smart move. While visually enticing, it didn’t hurt to have encouragement to try the bakery specialty. The offer at Jean-Paul Hevin was so tightly restricted (only chocolate and one other flavor were included in the day’s fundraiser) that it made it easy to pass by.

First time attendees (that includes us) received the pleasant surprise of a macaron treasure hunt that encouraged – yes, engouraged! – Free Macaron Day visitors to pick up various flavors at multiple Hermé locations. While we prepared for disapproving looks from weary store employees looking at a growing bag of free macarons, we got exactly the opposite. Despite lines that stretched around the block at every single store, employees were upbeat and pleasant from store to store, discarding broken and cracked macarons that displayed any hint of imperfection, passing out large bags to accommodate growing sweet collections and ended each giveaway with a smile. And the reward for collecting perfect macarons from pleasant people? An enormous box of 35 macarons valued at €68 (about $90). Towards the 5th location, it was easy to let visions of that box dance around in our heads for an extra bit of motivation. Among the flavors that drew us to continue the trek to the end were Rose Raspberry Litchi, Peach Apricot Saffron, Rose Quince, Passionfruit Chocolate and Cherry Pistachio.

Success! The big box of macarons at the end of the day.

For anyone who knows the chaos that anything with the word “free” attached can bring, the attendees were also extremely well behaved. There was no pushing, jostling or hostility, even at the Publicis drugstore location which remains open until 10pm – the latest of all the locations, and the one which took in most of the last-minute macaron hunters.

Walking between some stores, taking the Paris metro between others took about 7 hours. While it was a great way to see Paris, the smile and enormous box of macarons (bringing the total tally to 59 macarons – stops at each of Hermé’s locations, plus 2 of Aoki’s) made the tired feet at the end of the day worth every minute.

The it-dessert of the moment?

A delectable, crispy, colorful cookie with a gooey melt-in-your-mouth center known as the macaron (MAC-A-RON, or, if you secretly wish you were French:MAC-A-HRAWH). These guys are getting so popular, that even Starbucks is going to start selling them (although, after you’ve read this post and become a veritable macaron snob, you may want to avoid the crumbly Starbucks imitations).

While the spelling is similar to macaroon (those yummy coconut doodads you probably munched on as a kid), they couldn’t look and taste more different. Macarons come in a variety of colors and flavors – but the one thing they have in common is that they all look too good to eat.

That is, of course, until you actually try one, and then any self-control you have will swiftly go away. If you’ve had one bite, you’ll certainly want to get your paws on more – so here are our suggestions for ways you can satisfy those macaron cravings.

TREND: FOLLOW THE BLOGS

While you certainly could seek out macarons in every patisserie you come across, it’s surprisingly difficult if you don’t live in Paris. Of course, for the brave, there’s always the option of making them yourself.

We know, scary. These little guys look about as simple to construct as a model yacht. And, to be honest, baking macarons is not like baking brownies (where you can follow any recipe and have yummy chocolate goodness in no time).

For some help along the way,we recommend the blogs of David Lebovitz, Tartelette, and Serious Eats for tips on perfecting your technique (which you’ll definitely need to create these delicate cookies), inspirational recipes, and some serious, mouth-watering food porn.

TREAT: BUY THE BOOKS

If you want to take a lesson from the macaron masters, I’m afraid you’re going to have to brush up on your francais.

Pierre Hermé, generally considered the leading expert on the macaron, is the author of the aptly titled: Macaron (€29, approximately $40 on Amazon France). His book is the one you want if you’re serious about your macaron making. You could also check out Un Amour de Macaron (A Love of Macarons – €36, approximately $52 on Amazon France) by Stephane Glacier.

Of course, if your French never progressed beyond the level of “Quoi?” there’s  I Heart Macarons by Hisako Ogita – the newest entry into the world of macarons cookbooks and the hottest little pastry book on the market. Oh, and even better? It’s under $11.

TREASURE: TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS

For the culinary disinclined, it’s probably best to leave these ambitious pastries to the professionals. You’ll have to spend a fair chunk of change, but the return will be oh so delightful.

Outside of Paris or Tokyo, the best place to pick up a Macaron is New York City – but only at La Maison du Chocolat. Feel free to stock up while you’re there – but make sure you don’t wait too long to eat them. These cookies are meant to be savored when they’re fresh.

Of course, if you’re shopping at La Maison du Chocolat, chances are you wouldn’t be able to wait even if you wanted to.

TORTURE: When Only An Original Will Do

Finally, let’s say the blogs and cookbooks weren’t enough: you tried and ended up with a baking sheet of goop (not the trendy Gwyneth kind). La Maison du Chocolat sounds delicious, but a blizzard snows all over your hopes of making it to the city. And you’re an unabashed French dessert lover who likes your macarons Parisian, or Blair Waldorf. You’re on your own for getting your goodies from the City of Lights to your doorstep – none of the shops deliver to the US. But barring a Chuck Bass in your life, FedEx International will usually do the trick (pickup before 2pm will have them at your doorstep the next day).

Name dropped on Gossip Girl as Blair’s favorite, Ladurée offers the basics – chocolate, vanilla, coffee – as well as a number of seasonal flavors. And they’ve got a hypnotizing series of macarons that dance across your screen at their dedicated macaron page. For a shop with a lower profile, Dalloyau got their start in 1682 and have had a retail presence in Paris since 1802. Though there’s not a lot of diversion from the chocolate, vanilla, pistachio and raspberry flavors common in France, we can vouch from first-hand tasting that there’s a good reason why they’ve lasted as long as they have.

Pierre Herme Chocolat au Macaron and Black Truffle Macarons

But for the type of treat that would make you seriously consider flying these little lovelies in, there’s the aforementioned Pierre Hermé’s macarons. The website is a bit of a challenge to navigate – the British flag at the top only translates a portion of the site (thus proving it is indeed French), but images from the product catalog will tempt you regardless of language. There’s a savory macaron that mixes a chestnut biscuit outer, with a mascarpone black truffle center, and enough chocolate/macaron mashups to secure Herme’s place as master of the modern macaron.