France · WORKSHOPS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 workshops & classes justify the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes.
At Fragonard Perfume Museum beside Opéra Garnier, an English-speaking guide such as Yoko or Naomi introduces you to perfume history and the olfactory pyramid. You blend three pre-composed notes into a 12 ml eau de toilette, then explore antique bottles and sample fragrance styles.
“I loved everything The guide was very kind and funny The parfumes were so good smelling”
Meet at Le Foodist on Rue du Cardinal Lemoine for a hands-on French cooking class led by chefs such as Frédéric, Luc, Luke, or Paolo. Choose the six-hour option for a market visit, croissant, coffee, and cheese tasting before preparing lunch, pairing wine, and taking home electronic recipes.
“This was such a treat! So happy we booked this class and included the visit to the market. Frederic was a wonderful host and instructor. We walked to the market, learned about cheeses, purchased our produce and then returned to the kitchens to prepare our delicious meal. Frederic was the consummate instructor and we learned about French food culture in addition to many French cooking techniques. We also met the pastry instructor Stephane who was truly lovely also! This was an all around terrific experience. 10 out of 10!!”
Meet a professional chef at Maison Fleuret in Paris’s Marais for a 2.5-hour English-language workshop. In a small class, you’ll knead, shape, laminate, bake, and eat French pastries, with drinks, an illustrated recipe booklet, and pastries to take away.
“This was an amazing experience with delicious results!! Our instructor Lizzy was knowledgeable, friendly, warm, and welcoming!! The class was well paced and you got to participate in all aspects of the croissant making and eating!! Would definitely recommend!”
At Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a French pastry chef guides you through macaron shells, ganache, piping, and assembly in 90 minutes. You make at least four macarons, sample your work, and take home two recipes. Classes are in English, with French sessions Tuesdays at 5pm.
“This activity was wonderful! It was informative, interactive and so much fun. I would highly recommend if you are traveling in a group, this is suitable for all ages!”
At Fragonard Èze, an English-speaking guide such as Dominik, Giulia, or Magdalena leads you through perfume production before a hands-on workshop. You learn the olfactory pyramid, adjust a Flower of the Year blend, and take home a 12ml Eau de Toilette. Allow 45 minutes, plus time for the boutique.
“I did this tour with my son, very informative and interesting, we really enjoyed it, just bear in mind, the scent you make is pre selected”
At Candora near Ile Saint Louis, an English-speaking guide such as Emmanuel or Alexandra leads you through perfume history, scent families, and blending. You smell about 12 fragrances, mix two or three in a graduated glass, and leave with a 50-ml spray bottle of your own creation.
“I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND to all perfume lovers even if you dont want become a perfumer eventually! This workshop would help you pick great perfumes next time. I love fragrances and it was one of the best 2 hours I spent. Our guide really was patient and did a great job with our workshop . Explained the history of modern perfumery, how they made etc. We were made to smell the ingredients used in major fragrances, how to mix them etc. In the end we made our own perfumes. I loved what I made on my own!”
Spend 150 minutes at Maison Fleuret on Paris’s Left Bank learning croissant, pain au chocolat, and chocolate snail techniques from an English-speaking pastry chef. Small groups of up to eight make plenty to eat and take home, with instructors such as Felix, Guillaume, Alice, and Erika.
“Wonderful!isu the instructor was fantastic we had a great time”
Visit Fragonard’s La Fabrique des Fleurs in Grasse with an English-speaking guide, then make a 12ml Eau de Toilette from three Flower of the Year compositions. Guides such as Sophie, Paula, and Nino bring the perfume process to life, though the workshop uses a set palette rather than unlimited scent choices.
“Great time. The tour guide was full of great information and my teenage girls loved it.”
At Maison Molinard in Nice, a professional perfumer guides you through 40 essences, then helps you build top, heart, and base notes into a 30ml Eau de Parfum. In 45 minutes, you learn the basics of extraction and fragrance structure, and leave with a scent made by you.
“This was so much fun! Such a great experience. My fiancé loved it as well.”
At Le Foodist on Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, you will spend about three hours making meringue shells and buttercream macarons with an English-speaking chef. Classes are advertised for up to four people, with tea, coffee, and 20 to 30 macarons included. Stéphane, Luc, Paulo, and Fanny are among the instructors who may lead the class.
“Fabulous class Instructor was great Learned a lot of new skills Macarons were delicious even if some of the shapes were not perfect”
At Maison Fleuret School, an English-speaking chef guides you through meringue, ganache, piping, shells, colors, and flavors in a 150-minute macaron class. Groups are limited to six, and you leave with a box of macarons made during the lesson.
“William was INCREDIBLE. One of my favorite things I did on my trip… a must book”
At Molinard’s historic Grasse factory, you’ll choose from 90 essences, learn how head, heart, and base notes work, and blend a 50 ml perfume with an expert guide. The workshop is offered in English or French, welcomes ages 10 and up, and includes a 20% shopping discount.
“This was a really fun hour. My older daughter was interested in trying this, so I and both my girls went (ages 10 and 15), and we all really enjoyed it! The process was interesting, and learning what scents you like and don't like, then arriving at something signature, was really fun. We did the full tour after and left with some other goodies as gifts. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the whole thing, and the place is really beautiful. Our guides were friendly, helpful, and so very French chic! I definitely recommend trying it.Read more”
Meet near the Louvre for a two-hour English wine class led by a sommelier such as Clement, Jasmina, Laurie, or Pierre. Taste one Champagne and five wines from French regions while learning tasting technique, labels, terroir, appellations, and food pairing. Cheese or charcuterie costs €15 extra.
“The guide was 11/10 and you could really see how passionate and knowledgeable he was. There were some noisy girls (from Newcastle I think) and he just took it in his stride even though they were being rude. The white wine was partially nice and the cheese option was worth adding on. Would reccomend to anyone.”
At Choco-Story on Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, a French or English-speaking chocolatier guides you through a 45-minute decorating workshop. Shape bars, dip orange and marshmallows, add nuts and sweets, then take home 250 to 300 g of chocolate and an apron. Museum admission, tastings, and a virtual demonstration are included.
“we all had a really fun time. a little rushed, maybe increase time to 50 min”
Spend an evening with Le Foodist in Paris, choosing between a 4.5-hour cooking class and a 6-hour version with a Latin Quarter market visit. English-speaking chefs such as Luc, Paolo, and Frédéric guide you through a three-course French meal, wine pairing, and recipes to make at home.
“Shopping in the Parisian grocery was so fun! It was a bit hard to hear as it was a busy Saturday evening, but we loved the added experience. Luc is an incredible chef and did a phenomenal job. Our class was super fun. We loved interacting with the other participants, and created a fantastic dinner that we can't wait to recreate at home.”
Pick a city, a coast or a cellar.
