Macarons have a rich history dating back to the 8th century A.D. when they were first produced in Venetian monasteries. This sweet delicacy gained popularity during the Renaissance when French queen Catherine de Medici brought Italian pastry chefs with her to France in 1533. However, it wasn’t until the French Revolution that French macarons really began to make a name for themselves. In 1792, two Carmelite nuns who were seeking asylum in Nancy baked and sold macarons to pay for their housing. These nuns became known as the “Macaron Sisters”. During these early days, macarons were enjoyed without any special flavors or fillings.