REVIEW · PARIS
Paris: Cooking Class with Ferrandi at Galeries Lafayette
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann · Bookable on GetYourGuide
If you like food with real technique, this is for you. This Paris cooking class at Ferrandi’s Kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette turns French gastronomy into something you can actually make, not just watch.
I especially like the step-by-step coaching (English/French) and the fact that you eat what you make with a traditional French-style tasting at the end.
One possible drawback: you only have 2 hours, so you’ll focus on one main dish from the menu rather than sampling a huge range of food.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Ferrandi’s Kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette: the smart way to start
- The 2-hour structure: what happens once the apron goes on
- Pick your dish: duck breast, risotto, or sea bream
- Hands-on technique and chef secrets you can actually use
- Lunch included: you’ll eat what you make
- Languages, group size, and the confidence boost
- Price and value: what $153 really buys
- Who should book this cooking class (and who might skip it)
- Should you book Paris: Cooking Class with Ferrandi at Galeries Lafayette?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for this cooking class?
- How long is the cooking class?
- How much does it cost per person?
- What dishes can I choose from?
- Is lunch included?
- Are drinks included?
- What languages does the instructor speak?
- Do I need to bring identification?
- Is this class suitable for children?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key takeaways before you go
- Meet at Ferrandi’s Kitchen (3rd floor) at Lafayette Maison and Gourmet Store, inside Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
- Small group of max 6 means more time for questions and hands-on feedback
- Professional chef instruction in English/French, built for all skill levels
- Choose your dish from duck breast, green asparagus risotto, or sea bream with Maxim potatoes
- Lunch included, and drinks are not included
Ferrandi’s Kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette: the smart way to start
The meeting point is Ferrandi’s Kitchen on the 3rd floor at Lafayette Maison and Gourmet Store. It’s a very Paris setup: you’re inside one of the city’s best-known department stores, but the mood shifts fast once you’re in the cooking space.
I like this location for one simple reason: you can plan the rest of your day without chaos. Galeries Lafayette is easy to navigate, and it’s central enough that this class doesn’t feel like a trek. If your goal is to pack in authentic food time without losing hours to transportation, this works.
Also, there’s a practical note to respect: bring a passport or ID card. It’s an easy thing to forget in Paris, especially if you’re running between sights.
You can also read our reviews of more cooking classes in Paris
The 2-hour structure: what happens once the apron goes on
This is a 2-hour cooking class for all skill levels. That matters, because the best French cooking lessons don’t assume you already know what you’re doing. The format is step-by-step, led by a professional chef trained through a renowned culinary school.
In practice, you should expect a guided flow: prep, cooking steps, and then finishing with taste. The end isn’t just you eating quietly. The class concludes with a tasting in traditional French style, which is a big part of why this feels like more than a casual cooking demo.
Your group is kept small, limited to 6 participants. That’s the difference between feeling like you’re following along and feeling like you’re being coached. It also lines up with the consistently high ratings—people often cite the chef’s guidance and helpful techniques, not just the meal.
Pick your dish: duck breast, risotto, or sea bream
You’ll choose from a short list of emblematic French dishes. The options provided are:
- Duck breast with vegetables
- Risotto with green asparagus and peas
- Sea bream fillet with Maxim potatoes
What I like about these choices is that they teach you different kinds of French cooking skills. Duck breast is about timing and heat control. Risotto is about patience and texture. Fish with potatoes is a classic plating-and-portion lesson—how to cook neatly and serve like you know what you’re doing.
You’ll work through the steps under chef instruction, so even if your French cooking experience is zero, you’re still likely to leave with something that tastes like the real deal. And if you care about being able to repeat the recipe at home, the dish selection helps. These aren’t abstract “French-ish” meals; they’re specific preparations you can recreate.
Hands-on technique and chef secrets you can actually use
This class is built around learning basics of French gastronomy, not just producing one plate for a photo. The chef shares experience and know-how during the session, including practical cooking techniques.
From the reviews, the most praised element is the quality of the guidance—especially advice on cooking techniques that people felt confident repeating later. One common theme you’ll want to pay attention to: fine ingredients plus careful instruction tends to be the recipe for a meal that tastes like it came from a great Paris kitchen, not a home experiment.
Here’s how to get the most value out of those “chef secrets” in a practical way. Stay curious during the cooking steps, not only after. Ask what to watch for—texture, doneness, sauce consistency, and timing. French cooking is often won or lost in those small stages, and a good chef will translate them into simple checks you can use again at home.
Lunch included: you’ll eat what you make
Lunch is included, which is a big deal for value. At many cooking classes, you spend most of the time cooking and then leave hungry because the meal is light. Here, the tasting and lunch are tied directly to what you create, which makes the experience feel complete.
And since drinks are not included, I recommend planning a water bottle strategy if you tend to get thirsty during cooking. You can also pair your class lunch with drinks later nearby, so you’re not paying class pricing for something optional.
A small but meaningful detail: the class ends with a tasting in traditional French style. That signals the focus is on how food is evaluated and enjoyed, not just eaten. You’ll be learning how the dish should look and taste, which helps you understand what the techniques are doing.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Paris
Languages, group size, and the confidence boost
The instructor speaks English and French, so you don’t have to worry about being shut out if your French is rusty. The class being suitable for all skill levels also helps. You’re not graded on technique. You’re guided into it.
The group limit of 6 participants is where the experience becomes genuinely personal. In a smaller group, you can ask one more question. You can get clarifications on how to handle a step that feels confusing. That’s the kind of support that helps people leave feeling proud of the meal they made.
If you’re the type who worries about cooking classes being awkward, the small size likely eases that. You’re working together rather than performing in front of strangers.
Price and value: what $153 really buys
At $153 per person for a 2-hour class with lunch, you’re paying for three things:
1) Professional chef instruction
2) A small-group experience (max 6)
3) A real meal tied to your cooking
When you break it down, this isn’t just a show. You’re learning technique plus enjoying a lunch you can connect to the steps you practiced. That’s why many people come away saying it was the best meal they had in Paris—because the satisfaction isn’t only taste. It’s taste plus understanding.
Is it a budget option? No. But if you’re trying to get “Paris food value” rather than another walking-around attraction, a guided cooking lesson can be a smart spend. You leave with a practical recipe you can repeat, plus a better sense of what makes French cooking work.
Who should book this cooking class (and who might skip it)
This class is a good fit if you want hands-on French cooking instruction and a meal included. It’s also ideal if you’ve tried French recipes at home but never felt you had the technique right.
It’s not for everyone. There are clear age limits: children under 12 cannot participate. Teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. And accompanying persons also need an admission ticket.
It’s also not pet-friendly, since pets are not allowed.
If you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, the small group format is usually the sweet spot. You get interaction without losing the comfort of a quieter class.
Should you book Paris: Cooking Class with Ferrandi at Galeries Lafayette?
I’d book it if you want a French cooking lesson that’s practical, focused, and ends with a real lunch. The combination of small group coaching, a professional chef, and the chance to cook one of three well-chosen French dishes makes this feel like more than a generic activity.
Skip it only if you’re looking for a long multi-course food tour, a wide variety of dishes to sample, or a casual class where you mostly watch. Here, you’ll cook, you’ll taste, and you’ll leave with technique you can use.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for this cooking class?
Meet at Ferrandi’s Kitchen on the 3rd Floor at Lafayette Maison and Gourmet Store.
How long is the cooking class?
The class lasts 2 hours.
How much does it cost per person?
The price is $153 per person.
What dishes can I choose from?
You can choose among these recipes: duck breast with vegetables, risotto with green asparagus and peas, or sea bream fillet with Maxim potatoes.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks are not included.
What languages does the instructor speak?
The instructor speaks English and French.
Do I need to bring identification?
Yes. Bring your passport or ID card.
Is this class suitable for children?
No. Children under 12 cannot participate. Teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
What is the cancellation policy?
There is free cancellation up to 2 days in advance for a full refund.
