.png)
One of my favorite ways to get to know a new city and learn more about a culture is by diving deep into the food scene. I love booking guided food tours, trying out new restaurants, and taking cooking classes to learn about the local cuisine.
Paris, the world's culinary capital, is not just a haven for food enthusiasts but also a paradise for those eager to master the art of French cuisine. If you've ever dreamt of donning a chef's hat and mastering the secrets of French cooking, you're in for a treat. Grab your apron, today I’m taking a closer look at some of the coolest cooking classes in Paris you can take. Let’s dive in!
How To Pick A French Cooking Class
Cooking classes can be expensive, so there are a few things you will want to keep in mind to ensure you pick the perfect class for you. Consider the following things when sifting through your options:
Skill Level - Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a kitchen novice, Paris has classes tailored to suit your abilities. From basic techniques to advanced skills, choose a class that aligns with your expertise to make the most out of your culinary adventure.
Class Size - The intimate setting of a cooking class can significantly impact your learning experience. Smaller classes often allow for more personalized attention from the chef, fostering a hands-on and engaging environment. On the other hand, larger classes may offer a more social experience. Consider what you want your culinary class experience to look like.
Cost - A lot goes into factoring the cost of a cooking class, like the amount of time with the teacher, the ingredients required to make the dishes, and more. Consider your budget and what you want to learn during the class to determine what class is worth the cost to you.
Reviews - Before committing to a cooking class, read reviews from previous participants. Look for reviews that highlight the instructor's expertise, the class atmosphere, and the overall satisfaction of participants.
What Are Popular French Foods
France is known for both its sweet and savory dishes. Classic dishes, like coq au vin, ratatouille, and bouillabaisse, are must-try dishes that capture the essence of French cooking. Learning how to make these dishes will give you a souvenir to take to your friends and family back home. France is also known for its mouth-watering pastries, like croissants, pain au chocolat, macarons, and more. Learning the art of making French pastry takes time and practice, but taking a class in Paris to learn is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
✈️ Pro Tip: If you only have a short period of time in the City of Lights, check out my guide on How To Spend 48 Hours In Paris.
Grab Your Apron And Book One Of These Cooking Classes In Paris
In my cooking class in Paris, I learned how to make the perfect soufflé, which I now bust out to impress my friends at our Sunday boozy brunches. If you’re looking for an experience you won’t forget, these cooking classes in Paris will give you new skills to take home with you.
Cook'n With Class Paris
Cook’n With Class offers many unique experiences where you can learn more about French cuisine. My favorite experience with Cook’n With Class was the market experience. We started our cooking class at a local market where our instructor walked us through selecting the best seasonal produce to use during our class. After the market, we returned to the classroom to learn how to make dishes with our selection of produce. The cooking class included a wine pairing with the lunch we made.
If you want to learn more about French pastries, Cook’n With Class also offers a wide range of pastry classes where you can learn how to make croissants, macarons, baguettes, cakes, and more.
Le Foodist Paris
Dive deep into French culture and cuisine at Le Foodist Paris. Their cooking classes last around three hours and guide you through making an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. After learning the history behind the recipes and useful cooking techniques to make your dish Michelin-worthy, you will enjoy your meal with an included wine pairing. Before each class, you can join the chef at the local market to shop for the produce used in the cooking class.
Le Foodist offers cooking classes in the morning and evening. Additionally, the company offers vegetarian cooking options and can accommodate allergies to ensure that every visitor can let their inner chef shine.
La Cuisine Paris
La Cuisine Paris offers both food tours of the city and cooking classes in Paris. Some of the most popular classes are their croissant course, macaron class, traditional French pastry course, technical skills class, and a French cheese workshop. La Cuisine encourages hands-on learning so that you can take your newfound skills back home with you after you leave Paris. If you’re looking for a deep dive into French cuisine, the company also offers regular master classes on various food-related topics.
Les Secrets Gourmands de Noémie
Noémie is the ultimate instructor for learning the fundamentals of French cooking. At Les Secrets Gourmands de Noémie you can enjoy an intimate cooking class to learn new cooking skills that will elevate your French food. The standard cooking class includes learning how to make a starter, main, and dessert, and you can choose from either a traditional French menu option or a more contemporary option. If you’re like me and have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to reserve a spot in Noémie’s French pastry class. In this class, you will learn how to make some of the most popular French pastries like Paris Brest, lemon madeleines, chocolate lava cake, and soufflés au Grand Marnie.
Le Cordon Bleu
Le Cordon Bleu is one of, if not the most prestigious cooking schools in the world. Take a class from the best of the best who have trained some of the world's most famous chefs. Le Cordon Bleu offers a wide range of cooking workshops like “The Art of French Sauces” and a “Black Truffle Experience.” Whether you want to learn about specific savory dishes or how to make sweet treats, you can find one and two day cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu.
✈️ Pro Tip: While I love Paris, if you have extra days in France, I think these are the best cities you should add to your itinerary.
Bon Appétit And Happy Cooking!
Taking a cooking class in Paris is a great way to learn more about French history and culture. Not only is it a fun activity to enjoy while exploring the City of Lights, but it is also a souvenir you can take with you and share with your loved ones when you return home. No matter what cooking class in Paris you pick, you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. Bon appétit!
What is your favorite French food? Let me know in the comments!