Top 3 Culinary Schools in France

For a traditional French classic you can’t go past a hearty bowl of stewed vegetables, otherwise known as Ratatouille, which originated from southern France. It even made an appearance in the Pixar animation Ratatouille, a heart melting story of a rat dreaming of becoming a great chef in Paris. His ratatouille dish wins over the harsh food critic’s heart and makes most viewers very hungry during the movie.

Although it’s only a movie, there are many food enthusiasts in Australia who would love to have a similar effect on their family members or the My Kitchen Rules judges with their French cooking skills and magic.
One of the most popular experiences in Europe that we know our travellers love is to embark on culinary classes, French cooking in particular.

We’ve put together our top 3 favourite schools in Paris that would make your vacation so much more delicious.

1. École de Cuisine Alain Ducasse

This is one of the most prestigious cooking and pastry classes as well as wine tastings in France. With beginners to ‘Do it Like a Chef’, children’s cooking classes, everyday cooking or cooking for very special events, healthy cuisines, pastry classes and several wine tasting experiences – this is the mecca of French culinary.

The school is located in the heart of Paris’s 16th arrondissement, opening its doors to the general public as if into a home – each room here has been designed to make everyone feel at home. The school mixes elegant and warm common areas with kitchens – there are 4 workshop kitchens equipped with Miele and Perene facilities, a wine cellar, a meeting room and a shop, all built around a patio offering unparalleled brightness.

Address: 64, rue du Ranelagh 75016 Paris

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Phone: +33 (0)1 44 90 91 00

E-mail : ecole@ducasse.com 

2. École Gaston Lenôtre

This culinary school boasts a star-studded cast of professionals such as ex-Ritz chef Michel Roth, Sommelier Oliver Poussier and Guy Krenzer (Double MOF – Meilleur Ouvrier de France). The courses here cover everything from techniques for cooking fish, secrets of bistro favourites, festive verrines to Lenôtre’s famous classics.

Address: Pavillon Elysées-Lenôtre, 75008

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Phone: +33 (0)1 30 81 44 96

3. La Cuisine Paris

This school doesn’t just offer fabulous cooking classes; it also offers delicious food tours throughout the city. Some of our favourite tours are Marais Soirée – a delicious 3-hour evening tour of the Marais district or Bellies on Foot, a food and history-filled adventure through Les Halles area. The Sugar Rush Tour is perfect for all the pastry enthusiasts, and for Wine and Cheese lovers, there’s a Fromage and Wine Discovery. It wouldn’t be a traditional French food experience without the French Market Cooking Class at Le Marché des Enfants Rouge, or a trip to Versailles.

Address: Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, closed August 10-18

Phone: + 33 (0)1 40 51 78 18

If you’d like to embark on the delicious food adventure in Paris, give our team call on 1800 242 353 whether you are seeking more details about the culinary lessons above or have a different school in mind.