Is he scent of soft, sweet, freshly baked sponge cake, the one that intoxicates everyone who passes through the front door of the secluded business that, for a few months, has been offering a sensory journey to Paris from a corner in the La Encarnación neighborhood —behind Setas Sevillanas, at Regina, 1—, a sensory journey to Paris.
In The entry tag makes it very clear: Proust, from Marcel, the same one who, with a French accent, invited us to remember, in his book By the Way of Swann, the sensations and emotions of childhood through smells. It happened to him with the muffin that his aunt Leoncia prepared when he was little: to Anne, the owner of this unique business together with her partner, Maxime, The same thing happens with those of his grandmother.
That is why the day they decided to start a new life away from their native Paris, the revelation was very clear to them: They would set up a cupcake shop. Magdalena what? Well, that: mag-da-le-ne-rí-a. A beautiful place in which to live with the most cherished memories of him. In which savor and share its origins every day. The time had come to start a new stage.
Exterior of the premises.
A MOLD: THE PERFECT EXCUSE
Andalusian history of Anne, a furniture designer, and Maxime, a computer programmer, it goes back to time before the arrival of that virus that changed all of our lives. Both had been saving to fulfill a dream: that of embarking on the adventure of traveling aimlessly, for as long as he felt like it, for America. The change of plans was obvious, and yet they did not throw in the towel: they wanted to start a new life, they would figure out how.
This is how they packed their bags, and in the summer of 2020 they landed in sunny Malaga that gave them beaches and rich temperatures to disconnect for a season. A fleeting visit to Seville, with its 40-odd degrees in the middle of the summer period, they did not prevent them from falling in love with the city and choosing it to settle down. The business idea came later: in his suitcase, when leaving Paris, the last thing Anne added was a cupcake pan in the traditional shell shape that, more than a declaration of intentions, at that moment it was just a hug to her memories, to her childhood, to her home.
Because Anne grew up in the sweet tradition of fluffy brioches and cupcakes baked at her grandmother's house. Those who became that always desired breakfast, her favorite snack. From her he learned the recipe that he continued to make at home with so much love, always claiming her roots. Some roots that she had come the time to share —although the butter-based recipe, yes, he will keep secret—. And she did: as soon as the doors of Proust opened.
Anne and Maxim.
PISTACHIO, THE FLAVOR THAT TRIUMPHS
It is normal that while you are within the few square meters occupied by the cute office of Madeleines french , composed of just a tiny bar for customers and a kitchen, the oven bell rings from time to time. Because Proust's madeleines are made on the day —“Clients probably won't notice if they're from the day before, but I do”, says Anne—, and the batches continue as the sweet tooth finish the sampler. “All the ones I make are natural, then I fill them with the flavor I need”, she adds.
Flavors ranging from those with a chocolate heart —favorite of the little ones— to those filled with praline or lemon; the ones that surprise with apple or apricot compote inside, or the ones that are most successful among pro cupcake makers: the pistachio ones fool adults hopelessly. Everything, yes, homemade: biscuits and fillings. How to contain not to take a dozen?
The pistachio ones are the most desired.
Every two weeks, a surprise proposal: Anne says that she enjoys inventing in the kitchen and offering new cupcakes. In addition to the sweets, there is also room in her display case for the occasional salty one based on pistachio pesto, goat cheese or chorizo with peppers. And —watch out!— for a tray of fresh brioches with which to honor her lifelong breakfasts.
From time to time, to the delight of customers, there is also chocolate cake. “It's the chocolate cake I've had for my birthday all my life. It is like transferring my memories to other people”, comments the French while a shell-shaped pink neon glows brightly on the wall: a spot that calls loudly to take a photo to upload it to Instagram. We are already late!
The details, from the wall tiles to the napkins, once again insist on the shell as a symbol. And it is that the traditional French cupcakes, the ones of a lifetime, always had that shape. The design of the premises was made by them, and draws attention to whoever walks in front of its facade: His clientele is made of sweet tooths and curious.
Madeline's office.
To accompany the sweet bite, they have been encouraged to offer infusions and teas —very soon, too, tasty natural fruit juices—. If you prefer cafelito —specialty, of course— you have to enter one of the Seville references: in Virgin Coffee, the business that adjoins wall to wall, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee turns out to be the perfect complement to the experience.
So no more talk: The most Sevillian French cupcakes await in the heart of Seville. Although we are in luck, because to enjoy these appetizing delicacies it is no longer necessary to live in the city: for a few months they have given a boost to their website, and now it is also possible to buy them online. Shell-shaped French excellence is just a click away. Come on, come on, who's taking the first bite?