Modern Suppliers: Nina's Marie Antoinette

(Disclaimer: This post is not paid content - all photos are mine)

At the Place Vendôme in Paris - specifically 29 Rue Danielle Casanova - a tea-shop by the name of Nina's is located. The modern boutique is elegantly furnished with white walls and golden boiserie-details as well as two major references to one of the shop's most famous inspirations and customers: Marie Antoinette.

Immediately across from the entrance doors is a bust of the ill-fated queen and right around the corner a replica of one of the queen's actual shoes is exhibited. The latter is one of the few accurate replicas of the shoe lost by Marie Antoinette in 1793.

The history of the store began in 1672 - ten years before Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles and 102 years before Marie Antoinette herself arrived in France. The original founder was Pierre Diaz who named his new enterprise "La Distillerie Frères". As indicated by the name, the purpose of the original store was not necessarily tea but rather the distillation of lavender essential oils; as it happens, this was the first company to perform that particular service within France itself. Prior to this, most perfume used at court had been imported or created abroad, particularly in Italy. Quickly, the company became known for its alluring fragrances which greatly appealed to the perfume-obsessed court of Versailles. The founder himself was referred to as the "magician of aromas". Therefore, it is hardly a surprise that the new store rapidly became a stable at court before finally obtaining the status of official supplier.

Amongst their specialities were perfuming gloves with both rose and lavender. The passion for scented gloves long outlived Louis XIV and by the time Marie Antoinette arrived, the company was still a court favourite. The new queen quickly became enamored with their rose-scents and personally ordered several articles enhanced with the scent. In fact, several of the queen's original orders (and bills) are still preserved by Nina's, including one dated to 13 July 1777. 

I had the opportunity of visiting the shop where I purchased the celebrated "thé de Marie Antoinette". Prior to this visit, I had not tasted the tea before and did not quite know what to expect. The tea named for Marie Antoinette is a black Ceylon-tea with both apple and rose flavor - the combination is superb. Neither flavor - otherwise prone to dominating - takes over the tea but rather mingles and highlight each other. I can honestly say that it is one of the best teas I have tasted in a long time. The tea itself was served in a white porcelain cup with pink details - and the queen's monogram, of course.

Particularly of interest to anyone with an interest in the French court, is the origin of the apples and roses used for the tea. Nina's still use the hand-picked produce from the King's Kitchen Garden at Versailles (Le Potager du Roi) which further highlights the connection to the palace. Originally, the tea was first created in either 1776/1778 or 1788 - depending on the source. By this time, the distillery had already moved from perfumery alone into the more edible arena of cuisinerie. For instance, in 1778 the cake Ninasette was created by Nina Diaz particularly for Marie Antoinette. The recipe for that particular masterpiece was passed on to each new generation of women in the family. The current shop's name is a tribute to Nina Diaz.

Other teas on offer include the "Versailles Rose" which consists of black Ceylon-tea infused with citrus, rose, and marigold petals or the "Tisane de la Princesse" which can further boast of apples, cherries, mandarin, and rose petals - caffeine free. Another choice for those interested in the French court could be the "Fête de Versailles" - another Ceylon-tea but infused with cinnamon, honey, orange-peel, cornflowers and safflower. 

You can also find various sweets including dragées, gels of rose and apple and chocolates or even scented candles or soaps. The tea itself can be purchased in both loose tea and sachets - the loose tea comes in metallic tins, delicately decorated.

The interior of the store is very charming and highly reminiscent of the style of Versailles - the delicate, pink furniture, the white wood panelling, the golden boiserie details, the chandeliers. It is hard to avoid the references to Marie Antoinette. Besides the bust and the shoe, the queens' monogram and portrait of her as a dauphine adorns the walls. The overall impression is of a former supplier to the court of France that has managed to maintain a charming atmosphere throughout the centuries. Overall, it is well-worth a visit if you want to experience a shop with close ties to the court of Versailles - even centuries after the fall of the French monarchy.