Paule demonstrates the Caillat family recipe for tart crust.

"Paris is a movable feast!"

If you're a food lover who has always dreamt of spending quality time with a Parisian cook in her own kitchen, then Promenades Gourmandes is for you.

Join small groups of six or less for hands-on cooking classes and food-related expeditions to colorful and abundant open-air markets, a prize-winning butcher, the famous Poilâne bakery, a long established wine shop, or Dehillerin, Paris' landmark kitchen emporium.

More than just a tour of the temples of gastronomy, Promenades Gourmandes is a unique opportunity to get to know the real Paris and real parisians, starting with your cooking teacher and guide: Paule Caillat.

Thoroughly bilingual, Paule Caillat has shared her knowledge and passion for cooking with many students since 1997. A day with Paule is an insider's experience of Paris: while creating a meal and meeting the people behind the product, you will connect with Paris and France in new and unexpected ways.

Bienvenue chez Paule

Promenades Gourmandes cooking classes take place in the fun and intimate atmosphere of Paule's specially designed kitchen. Using the freshest seasonal ingredients, you will learn a contemporary version of "cuisine bourgeoise", the French classic and modern recipes that intrigue you, and the tricks of the trade that make them easy to recreate at home. Every class also includes a cheese tasting, along with discussion and explanation of the subtleties that make France's fromage so unique.

Traditional techniques in Paule's kitchen.

As for the culinary excursions, Paule's lifelong interest in food has led her to seek out the best that Paris and France have to offer, be it bread, cheese, spices or chocolate. Paule knows how to transform grocery shopping into a treasure hunt.

Follow in Promenades Gourmandes' hungry footsteps and you will meet fellow food-and-wine enthusiasts and artisan producers who are all eager to share their expertise.

A variety of options

Promenades Gourmandes classes may be scheduled for half-day, full-day or multi-day sessions. Half-day classes start at 9am with an open-air market tour, followed by a hands-on cooking class and a three-course lunch, finishing at 3pm. The full-day program follows the same schedule but includes a gourmet afternoon walking tour, finishing at 6pm.

Christine Pravaz teaches "cosmetic cooking."

New! Discover cosmetic cooking

On Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Paule's kitchen turns into a "cosmetic cooking workshop," conducted by Christine Pravaz, expert owner of a natural cosmetics boutique. You will create beauty products for the face and body made exclusively from natural extracts and organic ingredients, chosen according to your skin type. A light organic lunch is served by Paule. You will leave the workshop with the three products you have made as well as a do-it-yourself kit that includes the ingredients and recipes, to make at home.

Click here to reserve or inquire about a cooking class.