here’s the full scoop on the 3 classes I took at the most popular tourist-friendly schools in Paris: Le Cordon Bleu, La Cuisine Paris, and Maison Fleuret. I’ll break down the pros & cons, the costs, and what kind of baker each class is best for—so you can decide which one is right for you!
Le Cordon Bleu: Freshly Baked Pastries Workshop
Who: Le Cordon Bleu is widely regarded as one of the best culinary schools in the world, having trained chefs like Julia Child, Giada De Laurentiis, and Ming Tsai. With locations across the globe, the Paris location is the headquarters and where I took this workshop. Classes are taught in French with live English translation, and both culinary and pastry classes are offered.
First Impressions: I stepped into a professional kitchen—sleek, well-equipped, and spotless. The class was held in one of the school kitchens, offering a cool glimpse into culinary student life. We even had current students as TAs for our class!
The Experience: The chef demonstrated each step before we tried it ourselves. It’s a 5-hour workshop, so be ready to stand for most of it. The chef covered every detail—it felt like a full pastry school class condensed into one session.
Pastries Line-Up & review: Very very delicious croissants, pain au chocolat, and brioche. My friends tasted them and said they were the best they’ve ever had–and we were in Paris!
Take-Home: A recipe booklet, LCB-branded insulated bag (to hold all the pastries you made), a LCB-branded apron, and a LCB-branded pencil.
Cost: €290, 5-hours class
Pros: Very hands-on. Super high-quality, expert instructors, professional environment, and you get take-home top tier pastries along with other goodies.
Cons: One of the pricier options, and the pace can be intense if you’re new to baking. The chef shared many home-baking tips live, so listen carefully and take notes—they aren’t included in the recipe book.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced home bakers ready to learn classic French techniques in depth. Beginners will do fine if you’re a quick learner.
Overall: I rank this #1, 5/5 stars. Worth the splurge if you want the pastry school experience.
Location: Le Cordon Bleu Paris, 13-15 Quai André Citroën, 75015 Paris
La Cuisine Paris: The Best of French Pastry Class
Who: Founded by American Jane Bertch, who moved to France, La Cuisine Paris is a popular French cooking school for English-speaking tourists interested in food tours and cooking classes. This school has an extensive catalog of classes, so rest-assured that you’ll find a class for anyone in your party.
First Impressions: Super friendly staff! I could tell that it’s a tourist-centric culinary school–the front desk was stacked with information and resources for a great trip in Paris. I immediately noticed we had to share equipment. While their website states that some classes require sharing stations, there was no disclaimer when I booked this class, so I was disappointed. Since I attended alone, I shared a station with a stranger—great for meeting someone new, but potentially uncomfortable for others.
The Experience: The chef was excellent and we covered an impressive number of pastries in just 3 hours.
Pastries Line-Up & review: To be honest, all of them were a bit too sweet for me. It might be the traditional French style, though. We made: Crème brûlée, Baba Rhum, Fondant Au Chocolat, Madeleines, Entremet aux Fruits, and Caramel au Beurre salé.
Take-Home: Apron + Hard copy of the Recipe (you can request to get it emailed as well).
Cost: €119.00, 3-hours class
Pros: Fun variety of pastries. The chefs shared great stories about French food culture.
Cons: You don’t get your own station—less time to really dive into baking yourself.
Best for: Casual bakers/tourists looking for a fun experience. Great way to gain cultural insight with some baking involved.
Overall: 3/5 stars. Fun way to spend a morning, more hands-off and pastries were on the sweeter side.
Location: La Cuisine Paris, 80 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris
Maison Fleuret: Macarons Class
Who: aka “The Baking School” in Paris with multiple locations across the city, a popular school focused on teaching French baking skills.
First Impressions: The Notre Dame location was a bit hard to find (no signs). If you arrive any earlier than 10 minutes before class, you have to wait outside. Inside, the school is very chic, clean, and aesthetic. An apron was not provided.
The Experience: This class was quite fast-paced but didn’t feel rushed. The chef would demonstrate, and we would follow. Unlike other classes, no printed recipes were provided to follow during the class, so you need to pay attention to the demonstration and then replicate it on your own. It wasn’t an issue because the chef paused the demo quite often. I was the only solo participant, but my group was amazing, which made the class fun for me.
Pastries Line-Up & review: Macarons. You can choose any color and filling—they don’t have to match! Very pretty to look at and tasted great as well!
Take-Home: Soft copy of the recipe with graphics.
Cost: $172.66 USD, 2-hours class
Pros: Great for beginners, very hands-on, and lots of fun experimenting with colors and flavors.
Cons: The class is more specialized, so it’s shorter and doesn’t cover much beyond macarons.
Best for: Anyone who wants to master macarons or have a fun, focused baking experience in Paris.
Overall: 4/5 stars. Easy to fit into your itinerary and affordable for the skills you gain.
Location: Maison Fleuret Notre-Dame de Paris, 3 rue des Trois-Portes, 75005 Paris
Final Thoughts
If you want serious pastry skills and a professional vibe, go for Le Cordon Bleu—even if it’s a splurge, it’s worth it. If you’re just curious and want some cultural fun, La Cuisine Paris offers variety but heads up about sharing gear and less hands-on time. For macaron lovers, Maison Fleuret is a great spot to nail those delicate treats with real confidence.
Whatever you choose, Paris baking classes are an awesome way to experience French culture! I hope you have a great time!