L’atelier des Chefs: This school is run out of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores in the ninth arrondissement. You can learn anything from one dish to a 3 course menu. They even have a class on cocktails and one for children 7 and up. Prices range from 15 - 136 euros and require 1/2 hour to 4 hours of your day.
L’Atelier des Sens: This cooking school offers classes in French and ethnic cuisine, pastry making and wine. The classes are taught in the morning, at noon, and in the early evening, and most require about 2-3 hours. Prices average around 60-80 euros, depending on the class.
Alain Ducasse Cooking School: This class is offered in the 8th arrondissement. Most classes run four hours and you can choose between cooking and pastry, although they do offer a full day and an evening class as well. Prices depend on how many people are in your group, and it should be noted that they charge a fee for a translator. Average class price is around 150 euros.
Le Cordon Bleu: The famous Cordon Bleu school offers everything from bread to wine to pastry to cuisine classes. Many of their courses are for serious cooks looking for a certificate or diploma, but they do offer day long “gourmet sessions” for about 142 euros.
Le Notre Cooking School: This school offers day or half day classes in French cuisine, pastry and even classes for children from 8 - 17 years old. Prices range from 40 euros for children to 280 euros for an entire day at Le Notre.
Francoise Meunier: Francoise is a chef who wants to share her talents. She will teach you how to make a starter, main dish and dessert, or three different desserts. The classes last about 2 hours, but afterward you enjoy your meal together with Francoise. English is spoken. Classes run 100 euros each, Wednesday - Saturday.
La Cuisine de Marie Blanche: Marie Blanche offers cooking, pastry and wine classes, as well as an “art de vivre” class to teach you how to live as the French do! For about 145 euros, you can learn to make three courses in about three hours, then share the meal with Marie when you are done.
L’Atelier Saveur et Savoir: This is another cooking school where you can learn general cuisine, pastry or wine pairings. A four hour class will cost around 80 euros, a longer class will be more. Open Wednesday - Saturday.
Ecole Escoffier at the Ritz Carlton: The prestigious Ritz offers cooking classes for 2 - 4 hours, 50 - 125 euros. They offer a three day summer class for 530 euros in July and August. They also have wine classes and classes for children.
Patricia Wells: Patricia Wells has perhaps the most popular cooking class in Paris and Provence, and her classes book up years in advance. She is pricier than many, with a five day session costing $4,000 (not including lodging).
Comments
My daughter Brittany and I will be in Paris June 29 to July 5, when we leave for Bordeaux. Do you know if there are any half day cooking classes being offered by any of the cooking schools you list? Brittany is a novice cook so she would not be comfortable in an advanced class. Thank you, Marjorie McLaren
Left by Marjorie McLaren on March 16th, 2006
Marjorie,
Is your daughter a child? There are a number of children’s classes available.
Most of the places listed do have 1/2 day or even just 2 hour classes.
L’Atelier des Chefs has a number of short 2 - 3 hour classes.
L’Atelier des Sens as well.
Alain Ducasse’s classes are 4 hours, but they might be intimidating for a novice. Same with Cordon Bleu and Escoffier, and Patricia Wells.
Le Notre has 1/2 day classes and they are probably very enjoyable from what I have heard about them.
Some of the in-home classes might be intimidating for a novice as well.
So, I would probably check first with L’Atelier des Sens (you can reserve online) and Le Notre. I am sure that both of them are used to tourists coming for a 1/2 day class, and dealing with people who aren’t as comfortable in the kitchen.
It’s an excellent idea! Have fun!
Lesley
Left by Lesley Chapman on March 16th, 2006
Make that L’Atelier des CHEFS. Well, both would probably be good to check out.
Left by Lesley Chapman on March 16th, 2006
Lesley, thank you for the wonderful suggestions on cooking classes in Paris. Especially thank you for your prompt reply (Brittany noticed you responded on the same day!) She is 23 and has some cooking experience so is not a total novice. We are investigating the schools and as she speaks French we have a wider range of schools to choose from.
I love your website and have picked up so many wonderful tips. We go to France every other year and this visit we are going to do things we’ve don’t usually do, which is why the cooking classes came to mind.
Again, thank you for your response. I don’t know when you have time to write, keep up the website, as well as teach, but keep up the great work.
All best wishes,
Marjorie
Left by Marjorie McLaren on April 15th, 2006
You’re welcome Marjorie!
Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot!!
Enjoy your trip, and PLEASE let us know how the cooking class goes. I would love a review!
Lesley
Left by Lesley Chapman on April 15th, 2006
Are there any cooking classes in the 16th arrondissement that you are aware of?
Left by esther brooks on January 7th, 2008
Not that I am aware of. The 16th is a very residential area, not a whole lot of business, etc., is going on there.
Left by Lesley Chapman on January 7th, 2008
I will be in paris July 67&8 and would like to take a class in pastry making. Does anyone have concrete suggestions ?
Thanks.
Left by lynn robertson on January 10th, 2008
I would do LeNotre’s school, they are well known for pastry.
Left by Lesley Chapman on January 10th, 2008
Hi Lesley,
I’d like to learn those cooking school listed above for which are conducted in English; also whether do they cover 3-course menu, or otherwise?
Additional, any school is particular famous for it’s beaf and lamb cooking?
Thank you in advance.
All best wishes,
Joan Yang
Left by Joan on March 3rd, 2008
I believe that if you look at the web sites above you can see if they courses are in English and what they cover. Some schools make a whole meal, others make just one dish, depending on what you want to do. But I think the answers are in the various web sites.
Left by Lesley Chapman on March 3rd, 2008
I am taking one our of daughter to Paris next week. We would like to take a cooking class for children. She is eleven and “helps” in the kitchen. She does not speak French, which excludes many classes. Do you know of one she could take?
Thanks for your help.
Left by Kristi Fogle on April 14th, 2008
Kristi,
I would do L’atelier des Chefs. They have a class for children, and they are very used to Americans. That would probably be your best bet.
Left by Lesley Chapman on April 15th, 2008
Hi,
My family will be in Paris for the months of Jan and Feb. We would like to enroll our sons (ages 10 and
in a weekly cooking class while we are there. any suggestions?
Left by Trevor on September 28th, 2008
Hi,
I don’t really know of any classes that run weekly, unless you are an adult enrolled in a cooking school.
Sorry I can’t offer more help.
Left by Lesley Chapman on September 28th, 2008
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