The Russian cake of Artigarrède More than a cake, a legend!

An exceptional cake

The Russe, a native pastry of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, is a specialty shared by all Béarnais, ready to travel miles for this emblematic cake. A tasty treat to be savored in one mouthful, or a pretty cake sprinkled with powdered sugar, which sometimes (advantageously) replaces the Yule log, it is served on special occasions and even features on the Presidential reception table!

The Russian

A recipe that has been handed down for a century in the Artigarrède family: almonds from the Crimea, hazelnuts from the Ukraine, butter from the Pyrenees, milk from Béarn, eggs from quality hens and a well-kept secret!!!

We don't like it, we love it!

Like the Russian in Béarn

Since its creation, only three members of the Artigarrède family have kept the recipe for this Russian cake, often imitated but never equalled.

Maison Artigarrède has been established in Oloron-Sainte-Marie since 1923. Legend has it (although this is not the only version) that a princess, driven out by the Russian revolution, stopped off at the Artigarrède inn before crossing the Pyrenees. To please her, Adrien and Élise decided to bake her a “Russian” cake, based on an old recipe.

Grateful for the attention, Princess Victoria revealed that the cake was the Tsar of Russia’s favorite, and entrusted them with the secret of its perfect manufacture…

The Russe d’Artigarrède was born. Today, it graces many a festive table and is one of Béarn ‘s must-try gourmet delights!

From the family patisserie... To Elysian tables!

The Russe béarnais has traveled far and wide since the turn of the century.
Its reputation has spread thanks to pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela and exiled Béarnais who carry it with them in their memories, like one of Proust’s madeleines.

Countless celebrities have pushed open the patisserie’s door to taste this cloud of praline, sprinkled with powdered sugar, somewhere between melting and crunchy!
François Mitterrand brought it back to the Élysée Palace. It’s now on the menu for official French meals, as the Russe has won the unanimous approval of the various Presidents of the Republic.

Since then, rather than letting the people of Béarn travel miles and queues to Oloron, Maison Artigarrède has expanded.
Its pretty boutique in Pau is a showcase for this iconic pastry, which is now available in macaroon form: Le Macarusse.

Friendly tip: on Sundays and before the festive season, be sure to order it in advance, otherwise you’ll end up waiting in a long queue!

A light, fragrant, creamy mousse with a subtle taste of praline, between two thin layers of almond paste, sprinkled with a cloud of powdered sugar, all in an old-fashioned white and blue case!
Unforgettable, delicious, to die for…

Russian from every angle Artigarrède store in Pau

©Artigarrede Le Russe Pau Boutique 02|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / ED

©Artigarrede Le Russe Pau Boutique 03|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / ED

©Russian Individual|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme - NM

Address

3, rue Gassion
64000 Pau

Tel. 05 59 27 47 40
patisserieartigarrede.fr

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday: 9am-12.30pm / 2.30pm-7pm
Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm / 2:00pm-7:00pm
Sunday – Public holidays: 9h00-12h30

Elsewhere around Pau

In Oloron-Sainte-Marie: “Cathédrale” and “Pyrénées” stores
Tarbes: 24 place de Verdun
Saint-Jean-de-Luz: 94 rue Gambetta

Fan club

Lino Ventura, Georges Brassens, Jacques Chancel, Yves Mourousi or Johnny Halliday, Jean-Pierre Foucault, Francis Cabrel, Mickaël Gregorio, Isabelle Ithurburu…
And above all, millions of famous unknowns in France and around the world!

The first bite of Russe

An unforgettable moment of indulgence and pleasure!

At snack time, just outside the château, we enter the pretty Artigarrède boutique: large and small Russian cakes are displayed in the window. We appreciate the delicate gestures of the saleswoman, who places the delicious cake in its box and finishes off the package with a blue favor: the price is more than reasonable.

Carrying the precious package flat and with a thousand precautions, we head for the Boulevard des Pyrénées! A bench awaits us facing the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, blazing in the sun. We sit down comfortably. A deep breath: we open the little box.
Everyone grabs their Russian. We take the time to appreciate it with our eyes… One bite later, we’ve arrived in paradise!

Thanks to Eddy and the Office team for this precious souvenir!

Nathalie, a happy tourist