Macarons from La Maison du Chocolat. [Photograph: Robyn Lee]

In 2005, renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé and other members of the prestigious Association Relais Desserts started Jour du Macaron (Macaron Day), a yearly holiday on March 20 where bakeries would give away free macarons and raise money for Federation des Maladies Orphelines.

For the first time, macaron lovers in New York City can celebrate too. This Saturday, March 20, marks the first annual Macaron Day NYC during which 13 shops (17 if you count multiple locations) are offering a free macaron per customer (tell the shop that you're there for Macaron Day), and a portion of the day's macarons sales will be donated to City Harvest. For more information, visit macarondaynyc.com.

I made a map of all the locations, along with a suggested public transportation route in case you want to visit all the shops in one day.

Macaron Map

View Macaron Day 2010 in a larger map

Macaron Route

I initially planned this route under the most optimal conditions—that is, not incorporating MTA service advisories. But if you've ever taken the subway on a weekend, you'll know that there are tons of changes, and this Saturday is no different. I noted some of those advisories in the route, but you should double check on Saturday. Note that leisurely walks could take the place of some of these subway rides, so take advantage of the good weather (while burning some calories)!

• Start: Almondine in Dumbo
• from York St to Essex St-Delancey → DessertTruck Works
• from Essex St-Delancey to 34th St-Herald Square [MTA Service Change], switch to downtown train to 23rd St → LA Burdick
• Walk → Madeleine Patisserie
• from 23rd St to 34th St-Penn Station → Macaron Cafe
• from 34th St-Herald Square to 59th St-Columbus Circle → Bouchon
• from 59th St-Columbus Circle to Times Square [MTA Service Change], switch to uptown train to 103rd St → Silver Moon
• from 103rd St to 86th St → Georgia's Cafe and Bakery
• Walk to 81st St/Amsterdam, take M79 to 79th St/Madison Ave → La Maison du Chocolat
• Walk → Butterfield Market
• at 77th St to 66th St → FC Chocolate Bar
• Walk → Mad Mac (Bernardaud)
• from Lexington Ave-59th St to 65th St, walk → Cannelle

Participating Shops

Almondine Bakery
85 Water Street, Dumbo
718-797-5026
442 9th Street, Park Slope
718-832-4607

Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
212-823-9364

Butterfield Market
1114 Lexington Avenue
212-288-7800

Cannelle Patisserie
75-59 31st Avenue, East Elmhurst
718-565-6200

DessertTruck Works
6 Clinton Street

FC Chocolate Bar
714 Madison Avenue, 4th floor
212-759-1600

Georgia's Cafe & Bakery
2418 Broadway
212-362-2000

L.A. Burdick Chocolate
5 East 20th Street
212-796-0143

La Maison du Chocolat
1018 Madison Avenue
63 Wall Street
30 Rockefeller Center
Empire State Center Lobby
212-744-7117

Macaron Café
161 West 36th Street
212-564-3525

Madeleine Patisserie
132 West 23rd Street
212-243-2757

Mad-Mac at Bernardaud
499 Park Avenue at 59th Street
973-225-0930

Silver Moon Bakery
2740 Broadway
212-866-4717