The Story of Nina’s Paris
The story of Nina’s in Paris began in 1672 when Pierre Diaz created La Distillerie Fréres. He was the first perfumer specializing in distilling natural essential oils. Mr. Diaz was known as the “Magicien des Arômes” {the wizard of aromas} and he soon became very popular for his skill of creating wonderful blended fragrances. He excelled at distilling rose and lavender essences that could be used to perfume gloves. He was the preferred supplier of the Versailles court during Louis XVI's reign, and soon was a favorite of Marie Antoinette. She especially loved his rose and apple scents. The name of the salon is rumored to have been inspired by Pierre's wife, Nina. She created the famous "Ninasette" cake for Queen Marie Antoinette in 1778. The secret recipe has been handed down exclusively to the women in the Diaz family for centuries.
The Royal Garden
Not too far away from the palace, at Versailles, is Le Potager du Roi Versailles, or the royal kitchen garden. Set up in 1678 by King Louis XIV, who hired Monsieur Jean-Baptiste La Quintine as its first Fruitier. The King wanted his kitchen garden to be able to supply the best fruits and vegetables for his royal table at court, including out of season strawberries in January. The royal kitchen garden has grown all organic fruit and vegetables for over 300 years, and has changed little during this time. It's now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The gardener's developed over 60 different ways to grow fruit trees, and the garden today includes almost 200 different varieties of apples.
The Tea Salon
Nina's Tea Salon is located in the middle of Paris at Place Vendrôme, in the 1st arrondissement. It's a beautiful, feminine confection of a place, dressed in creamy white with golden gilt decorations and soft petal pink. It is popular with both French citizens as well as tourists, so if you are planning a visit, you may want to make reservations for tea. Because the historical origin of Nina’s was about fragrance, the salon offers guests a chance to smell and learn about the different teas they serve and sell. The most popular is the signature original Marie-Antoinette Tea, which includes bits of handpicked apples and roses from the Versailles kitchen garden.
Nina's is the place where Georgianna Lane launched her fabulous book Paris in Bloom a few years back, and Oh! how I wish we could all have been there. you can meet Georgianna HERE >
She has now moved to Paris with her husband who is also a brilliant photographer, to the Paris apartment of their dreams. She is so talented, I though you would want to know about Georgianna and her gorgeous work if you don't already.
In honor of receiving our shipment of Nina's of Paris Tea at FrenchGardenHouse, I'm having a GIVE AWAY for one of Georgianna's Paris in Bloom Books! Just leave me a comment, and/or follow me on Instagram and let me know. Each one counts as an entry. One lucky winner will receive Georgianna's book just in time to start dreaming of Paris. {this give away isn't sponsored, just by me- because I love her and the book is stunning.}
Photo by Georgianna Lane
Photo by Georgianna Lane
The Tea
The relationship of Nina’s Paris with the Royal Court of Versailles is something that the company really cherishes. Their "Thé de Marie-Antoinette” is the only tea in the world flavored with rose petals and fresh apples from Le Potager du Roi Versailes, in honor of the scent so beloved by Marie Antoinette. Nina’s Paris is the exclusive partner of the King's Kitchen Garden of Château Versailles. The tea arrives in pretty tins in a delicate pink color, I think Marie would approve! If you can't get there just yet, I've imported these gorgeous teas straight to you for our Gift Collection this season. I chose my favorites, the pink tin with the Marie Antoinette loose tea, accompanied with the sweetest French sugars in pink and white rose shapes, and the white tin with Fete de Versailles loose tea.
I also love Nina's Fete de Versailles Tea. It's a special loose leaf black tea blend blended with the natural aromas of honey and cinnamon, orange pieces, safflower and cornflower. It arrives in this gorgeous white tin. Looks spectacular on your tea tray!
When you visit Paris, be sure to stop by Nina's PARIS for tea, or to buy a souvenir or two. In the meantime - we have Nina's Tea in our Fall Collection! Versailles Tea HERE > and French Marie Antoinette Tea Gift Set > HERE.
French Marie Antoinette Tea Gift Set >
VISIT Nina's PARIS Tea Salon:
Nina’s of Paris is located at 29 Rue Danielle Casanova, 75001 Paris, France. Tel: (+33) 1 55 04 80 55 The tearoom is open from noon to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.Whats your favorite place for tea?
A BIENTOT
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39 comments
I’ve been in Paris in the winter, January as it so happens. It also happens to be THE winter when the horrendous storm hit Washington, DC and the Air Florida jet crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. That storm worked its way across the Atlantic and dumped THREE FEET of snow on London. I was very perturbed I had to waste good shopping money on boots. But, my mother did wear those boots for the next 25 years. It was a new experience, seeing the doorman trying to remove snow with a broom. We lost our trips to both Oxford and Cambridge. London has NO snow removal capabilities. At least they didn’t at that time, I’m not sure about now. That same storm forced us to take the ferry across the channel (no Chunnel yet in those days) rather than the Hovercraft, which put us behind schedule. Then both France AND Belgium were dealing with the snow. We spent a week in Paris which is where we learned about the plane crash. And since we all college students who lived within an hour or two of Washington, DC, some even had family who crossed that bridge each day. Some students telephoned home. It is true the crowds are FAR less, and ANY time in Paris is a good time, but now that I’ve done Paris in winter, I think I’ll take a warmer season next time when I hopefully get there.
Sheila, you will love it! It’s small but so sweet!
Love your French posts and if I’m in Paris, will definitely visit this tea room. Have been to Paris twice but there is always new places to visit.
Hello dear Lidy I am catching up with you this morning. Somehow I never knew about Nina’s! Thank you for this truly lovely post.
Thank you for this interesting post on Nina’s Tea Salon. What a gorgeous pink tea caddy!
I hope the tea is not sold out yet. Paris in bloom is a perfect title for the book. How wonderful the pictures are.. I think I did tell you my husband proposed at the base of the Eiffel Tower so Paris is very much in my heart.
Oh, wow!! Been to Paris several times but was not aware of this lovely tea salon. Definitely on the list for my next trip!! Loved your history and description. Really makes for a reason (as if I needed one!) for a trip!! Go away covid!!!
Oh perfect! Jan, until we get there again, virtual visits are great fun, aren’t they?!
You always make me feel like I have been to Paris. I have always loved this book and now know what tea to enjoy it with!
I think I will just go ahead and order some tea today, to tide me over until I can get there in person!