We did a family cooking class in Paris at Cook’n With Class and wanted to share a little more about what the experience was like. If you’re thinking about doing a family cooking class in Paris, this is one I would personally consider. I had been wanting to try a cooking class with my daughter for a while, something where we could cook properly together from scratch, then sit down at the end and enjoy what we had made. So this class really felt like a nice match for what we were looking for.
Some background to the Cook’n With Class Cooking School in Paris
Cook’n With Class was opened in July 2007 by Chef Eric Fraudeau, who wanted to offer cooking classes to English speakers visiting the city. The very first class he offered was the French market class, where he took customers with him to the market to introduce them to French gastronomy through its fresh produce. They would select the products with which they would prepare a complete meal from starter to dessert, including the aperitif and the cheese course. The school grew quickly adding baking classes, and cooking classes for kids to the program.
Today, the school offers several “En Famille” classes, where parents and children cook together side by side. These family workshops are a lovely way to learn French cooking, whether it’s making pastries in a Pâtisserie en Famille class, trying macarons, or learning croissants and pain au chocolat in a Croissant en Famille class. Families can also cook a full meal from start to finish in the Cuisine en Famille class.
There is also a chocolate-making class for younger children aged 6–12, where kids can learn to make chocolate treats on their own while being guided by the chef. At the same time, adults can join an “express croissant” class, which means everyone in the family gets to spend the morning learning something creative in Paris.
Our experience taking a Family Cooking Class in Paris
The class I joined with my daughter was the Cuisine en Famille class. It is designed for parents and children aged 9–15 and focuses on preparing a three-course French meal together. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but from the moment we walked into the kitchen, the atmosphere was just very welcoming.
After putting on our aprons, we gathered around as our chef, Fabrice, wrote the day’s menu on the chalkboard. That morning, we were making a very classic French meal: oeufs mimosa (“devilled eggs”) for starter, stuffed tomatoes with meat for the main course, and “funny” cookies for dessert.
The class started at 10am and lasted about four hours, which might sound long on paper. But in reality, the time just kind of drifted by. Part of the experience is that you end the class by sitting down to eat the full meal you’ve cooked, so the cooking itself isn’t rushed. We had time to follow each step, chat a little, and just enjoy being in the kitchen together.
What I really liked was how hands-on everything was. This wasn’t a class where children mostly watch a chef cook. The kids were really encouraged to take part in the process. My daughter was especially happy that she could do things herself — peeling eggs, chopping vegetables, mixing ingredients, and later working with the cookie dough.
Chef Fabrice was wonderful with the kids. The kitchen never felt strict or formal. He joked with them, answered questions patiently, and made everyone feel comfortable trying things themselves. Even though I cook at home, I still learned a few little things along the way. One small surprise was discovering how easy it is to make mayonnaise from scratch, something I had always assumed was complicated but actually isn’t.
Because the class runs for several hours, I would say it’s best suited for children around 9 years and older, simply because younger kids might find it a bit tiring to stay focused for that long. But for that age group, it’s a really nice balance of learning, creating, and doing something with their hands.
At the end of the class, the kids helped the chef plate the dishes before sitting down together to eat the meal we had cooked. After spending hours chopping, mixing, tasting, and baking, it felt really satisfying to sit down and enjoy what we had made.
The children were given apple juice to go with the meal, while the adults enjoyed a glass of wine that felt like a celebration of our effort that morning. Before the main meal, we also had the chance to enjoy a lovely French cheese platter, which was a really nice way to start the dining portion of the class.
Sitting down together to share the food we had prepared was honestly one of the nicest parts of the experience. The cookies were still warm, the stuffed tomatoes were fragrant, and there was that quiet, happy feeling around the table.
When I asked my daughter afterwards what her favourite part was, she didn’t hesitate: “The chef!”
What to know about the Family Cooking Classes
The Cuisine en Famille class is designed specifically for parents and children aged 9–15. Over the course of about four hours, families prepare a complete French meal using seasonal ingredients while learning the techniques behind classic French cooking. The class costs €260 for the duo (1 adult + 1 child). All instructions are in English. The menus always change depending on what’s in season.
Here is the link to all the family cooking classes on offer at the school if you want to browse the full selection of what’s on offer. If you’re looking for a family cooking class in Paris, I would definitely consider trying a class here as it’s a lovely way to spend a morning cooking and sharing a meal together with kids.
The Cook’n With Class cooking school is located in the Montmartre area of Paris, which makes it a lovely place to spend more time after the class ends. We found that walking up toward the Sacré-Cœur Basilica was a great way to “walk off” the three-course meal we had just enjoyed. There are so many family-friendly things to enjoy in Montmartre and we ended up spending the rest of the afternoon in one of Paris’ most iconic neighbourhoods. The little sightseeing train around Montmartre can be fun for younger children, and near Place du Tertre you’ll often find artists painting and street activity that children enjoy watching. There’s also a small playground area nearby if the kids need a break.
More on Paris
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris with Kids (and WHY!) – help with choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in.
Paris Itineraries with Kids – 8 free day itineraries that cover top attractions, family-friendly activities and restaurants.
What to do in Paris with kids on a rainy day – options for keeping children entertained and dry in the city.
Join me on Instagram to get more inspiration for things to do and see in Paris.
My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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