That smells like France, fast. You’ll cook a real meal at Ferrandi’s Kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. It’s a step-by-step class built for all skill levels, and the payoff is that you eat what you make.

I like two things right away: small group size (limited to 6) and the focus on technique, not just following steps. The dishes you can choose from are proper French comfort-gourmet too—so you learn something you can actually repeat later.

One consideration: this is a focused 2-hour session, so if you’re hoping for a long, slow sit-down or a full multi-course restaurant experience, you’ll want to treat it as a hands-on class that ends with lunch and tasting.

Key takeaways before you go

• Ferrandi’s Kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette means easy access and a stylish setting.
• Limited to 6 participants, so you get real guidance from the chef.
• Pick from classic recipes: duck breast, risotto with green asparagus and peas, or sea bream with Maxim potatoes.
• Learn French gastronomy basics step-by-step and get chef tips you can reuse at home.
• Lunch is included, plus a traditional-style tasting to finish.
• Drinks aren’t included, so plan on paying for beverages separately.

Why Ferrandi Cooking at Galeries Lafayette Makes Sense in Paris

Paris has a lot of cooking classes. This one has a very practical advantage: it’s happening in Ferrandi’s Kitchen on the 3rd floor of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. That location matters because you’re not hunting across town after a museum day. You can build this into a normal Paris route—shopping, sights, then cooking.

Another reason it feels like a good deal is the format. You’re not just chopping and hoping for the best. The class is designed around emblematic French gourmet dishes with a professional chef from the Ferrandi-style school tradition, teaching technique and know-how as you work.

And yes, the “you get to taste what you make” part is doing real work here. When you cook the meal, you stop being a spectator and start learning what makes French food taste French: timing, heat control, and simple choices done well.

Meeting at Ferrandi’s Kitchen (3rd Floor) and How the 2 Hours Run

You’ll meet at Ferrandi’s Kitchen, 3rd Floor, at the Lafayette Maison and Gourmet Store. Showing up on time matters because the class moves step-by-step and small groups don’t have room for delays.

The session is 2 hours, with availability that sets the start time (check your date’s options). Expect an instructor who works in English and French, which is helpful if your cooking vocabulary is still forming.

Because this is a small group limited to 6, the chef can actually watch what you’re doing. That’s the hidden benefit. In larger classes, you often feel like a line in a production system. Here, your questions have a better chance of landing in real time.

One last practical note: bring your passport or ID card. That’s not the kind of detail you want to remember while standing at a counter. It’s also not allowed to bring pets.

Choose Your Recipe: Classic French Dishes You Can Recreate

Here’s the fun part: you can choose from a menu of dishes that are unmistakably French, not generic “international cooking” plates. Your options include:

• Duck breast with vegetables
• Risotto with green asparagus and peas
• Sea bream fillet with Maxim potatoes

The recipes matter because they force you to practice different fundamentals.

Duck breast is all about controlled heat and getting the texture right—great for learning how French cooking treats timing like an ingredient. Risotto is technique-forward: you’re learning patience and how to build a creamy texture without rushing it. And sea bream with Maxim potatoes is a good reminder that French plates often balance a delicate protein with something crisp, golden, and structured.

You’ll learn in a step-by-step way, with the chef sharing techniques and “chef’s secrets.” You won’t just be copying moves—you’ll be building a framework you can use on your next home-cooked meal.

Chef Technique + the Step-by-Step Workflow (Where the Value Lives)

What makes this class feel more meaningful than a casual food tour is how it teaches method. The goal is to master the basics of French gastronomy through the cooking process itself.

In practice, that means:

• You work through the dish with guidance, rather than doing everything blindly.
• You get cooking tips tied to what you’re seeing, not abstract lectures.
• You learn how the chef thinks—what matters first, what to watch, and what “done” looks like.

The class is suitable for all skill levels, which is a big plus if you’re not a confident cook. Even if you’ve cooked before, you’ll likely appreciate how chefs tighten the screws on details: doneness cues, how to manage heat, and when to move on so the whole plate finishes together.

Also, the small group format helps here. If you get stuck, you’re more likely to get help before it turns into a guessing game. That’s where real learning happens.

Lunch Included, Plus a Traditional French-Style Tasting

This is not just a “cook then leave” situation. You get lunch included, and the class ends with tasting in a traditional French style.

That ending matters. French dining isn’t only about the food; it’s about the rhythm and the finishing. In this format, you’re effectively training yourself to evaluate what you made: texture, seasoning, and balance. Then you taste again with the chef’s perspective in mind.

And if you’re wondering about drinks: drinks are not included. That’s normal for cooking classes, but it’s good to know so you don’t get surprised at the end. If you like pairing a meal with wine or something bubbly, plan a little extra in your budget.

In terms of payoff, one of the strongest themes from people who’ve done this is that making the meal yourself improves both the experience and the satisfaction. When you finish a dish with your own hands, the “how did they do that?” question turns into “I can do this again.”

Price and Value: Is $153 Worth It?

At $153 per person for a 2-hour small-group class that includes lunch, this is priced for quality instruction and a real meal, not a quick demo.

Here’s how to think about value:

• You’re paying for hands-on chef guidance in a group limited to 6.
• You’re getting a meal you helped create, plus an ending tasting.
• You’re not paying extra for lunch because it’s included.

Where the cost can feel stingy is the part that’s not included: drinks. If you plan to have beverages, that pushes your total higher than the headline rate. But if you keep it simple and focus on the food, the price starts to feel more grounded.

Also, the class length is short by design. Two hours means you’ll learn and cook without turning the day into a full project. That’s a good trade in Paris, where you’re probably mixing sights and meals all day anyway.

Who This Cooking Class Is Best For (And Who Should Skip)

This class works well if you want a hands-on Paris activity that still feels authentic and structured. It’s especially good for:

• Food lovers who learn better by doing
• Intermediate beginners who want confidence through technique
• Anyone who likes the idea of leaving with a dish they can repeat at home

It’s also a strong option if you’re with a partner or friend and you like the intimacy of a small group.

But pay attention to the rules:

• Children under 12 can’t participate.
• Teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Pets aren’t allowed.

If you’re traveling with kids who are under 12, this isn’t the fit. And if your group includes teens, you’ll want to make sure everyone meets the age/accompanied requirements before you book.

Practical Tips to Make Your Class Smooth

A few things will keep your experience stress-free:

• Bring your passport or ID card. It’s required.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little cooking on. Even with careful kitchens, accidents happen.
• Remember the class is 2 hours. Eat lightly beforehand if you tend to get snacky, because lunch is included.
• Plan for the fact that drinks aren’t included, so decide ahead of time if you’ll budget for beverages.
• Don’t bring pets.

If you’re traveling with someone who’s accompanying you, make sure they understand the requirement about having an admission ticket as well.

And if your plans are flexible: you can cancel up to 2 days in advance for a full refund, which gives you breathing room if your Paris schedule shifts.

Should You Book This Cooking Class?

If you want one Paris activity that’s practical, food-focused, and likely to leave you with skills—not just photos—book it. The combination of Ferrandi instruction, a chef-led step-by-step format, and a meal you make yourself is exactly the kind of experience that tends to click for both beginners and serious home cooks.

I’d especially recommend it if you:

• like small-group instruction (limited to 6)
• want classic French dishes you can reproduce (duck, risotto, sea bream options)
• prefer a hands-on lunch experience over a sit-down show

Skip it if:

• you need a long, leisurely activity
• you’re traveling with kids under 12
• you don’t want to spend a short window cooking and eating your results

FAQ

Where do I meet for the class?

Meet at Ferrandi’s Kitchen on the 3rd floor at the Lafayette Maison and Gourmet Store.

How long is the cooking class?

The class lasts 2 hours.

What dishes can I choose to cook?

You can choose from duck breast with vegetables, risotto with green asparagus and peas, or sea bream fillet with Maxim potatoes.

Is lunch included, and are drinks included?

Yes, lunch is included. Drinks are not included.

What languages are the instructors?

The instructor speaks English and French.

Can children join the class?

Children under 12 can’t participate. Teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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