If you love food, love cooking and happen to find yourself in Paris, there’s one activity that MUST be on your itinerary. A quick search online for Paris cooking classes reveals a healthy list of places to choose from.
But, when you’re far away and trying to compare them online, this can be an arduous task. Is it a good class? Do they speak English? do I actually get to make something myself? Do I need previous experience? By the time you’ve tried to work all of these questions (and more) out you’ll be exhausted.
I’m here to save you the trouble by calling out La Cuisine Paris as one of the best cooking schools you’ll find in the city of Paris. Here’s why.
It’s centrally located
La Cuisine Paris couldn’t be any easier to get to. Located on the Right Bank, only minutes away from Notre Dame and the Marais, and within easy walking access from two Metro Stations.
There are a great range of classes
Running classes from Monday – Saturday, there is a great range to choose from including croissants, macarons, puff pastry, and pastries. They also conduct market tours, picking out the best of the French Markets for you to experience.
They have real chefs
All of the cooking classes are conducted by fully trained chefs (often with beautiful French names like Guillaume)
Value for money
A two-hour cooking class can cost €69, whilst a three hour croissant class is €99. Other more involved programs, including food tours, may be more expensive.
Classes are hands-on
Roll up your sleeves, these are working classes. No time to sit back and watch here. Give your muscles a work out kneading the dough, or whisking that beautiful creme anglais. Whatever the class, you will be involved.
The classes are kept deliberately small
With a maximum of 8-10 in the classrooms, expect to get some personal attention from the chef. There are no issues here with not being able to hear or see what the chef is showing you at all times.
You don’t need prior experience
Many come to these classes with limited cooking experience. This is the great thing about being here. No-one will judge you and the chef is able to look after participants with a range of skill, without making anyone feel uncomfortable, or making those who have some experience hang around and get bored. Just bring your desire to learn and have fun.
Everything is provided
There is no need to bring anything with you, making it the perfect holiday experience.
You get to eat what you make
Whether it’s additional goodies to take away with you, or a croissant a cup of tea in the kitchen, you will definitely get to taste test everything that’s been made during your class.
Excellent after class support is provided
On the two occasions that I have had a class here, the team at La Cuisine Paris have always been incredibly helpful. Via email, we share photos and information about what I have cooked.
If I have had an issue, or want to check if my end product looks as it should, they are on hand to give me feedback from the chef who took the class. This means that my class didn’t end when I walked out the door and it means that I can continue to learn even more from this experience.
What also stands out to me is that there are so many others who have attended these classes, had fun, and would gladly go again…..and again. Corinne from Reflections Enroute has just had a recent experience there and loved it.
They share their own foodie tips
If it were not for these guys, I may never have found the wonderful food stores of Paris like G. Detou and Mora.
My tips to make the most of your cooking class
If you are like me and want to actually recreate what you have learned, then I would strongly advise you to take a notebook, pen and camera. There is plenty of time along the way to take extra notes and photos of what you are cooking. Whilst you are provided with a recipe, I have found the notes and photos I took to be invaluable when it comes to remembering certain steps.
Book well in advance. Many of the classes are popular, and well, it is Paris after all. To avoid disappointment, make sure you book online as soon as you have locked in your dates. Booking online on the La Cuisine Paris website is safe and easy.
Don’t arrive late to class. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and relax before you start. If you are late, you will find they have started without you. Whilst you can join late, it’s possible you will have missed some critical steps in the process. If you are keen enough to book a class, be keen enough to get there early and enjoy the experience.
Most of all, have fun. It’s not everyone who can say they’ve been to a cooking class in Paris!
Where to stay
There is an endless range of places to stay in Paris. Sometimes there are so many that it can seem overwhelming.
I’ve worked with HotelsCombined to provide you with the most popular hotels in Paris, so why not save yourself the time and check them out. Clicking on the links below will take you straight to the hotel site.
Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Ibis Paris Tour Eiffel Cambronne 15eme
Campanile Paris 19 – La Villette
Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Hotel Mercure Paris Gare de Nord La Fayette
You can check availability, prices, reviews and book any of these hotels and more on Trip Advisor
Tick it off your bucket list! Book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Cooking classes in Paris sell out very quickly.
La Cuisine Paris details
80 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville 75004 ParisThe two closest metro stations are:
Pont Marie via line 7
Hôtel de Ville via line 1 and 11
Note – This was my second (paid) visit to La Cuisine Paris and I am definitely a fan. I have received no incentive from La Cuisine Paris to attend nor write this post. All opinions are my own.
Do you love cooking too? Be sure to save this pin to your Pinterest board for future reference.
Aaaaan now I’m hungry haha great article!
Taking a baking class in Paris?!?! The mecca of baked goods?!? This sounds amazing! Talk about bringing the best gifts possible back from a trip… the ability to make croissants the way they should be! Wow!