Paris: Pastry Class with Ferrandi Chef at Galeries Lafayette

If you like the idea of learning pastry the French way, this class is a fun, practical choice because it happens in a real professional kitchen inside Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. You get to work with a chef, then eat what you make in the same 2-hour window.

I especially like the small group setup (limited to 6 people), because you can ask questions and actually follow the steps closely. I also like that the focus is on French pastry basics, not just a show, with about 1.5 hours of interactive baking followed by tasting.

One consideration: the whole class is only 2 hours, so if you want slower practice time or a step-by-step video to replay later, you’ll want to take notes and ask the chef to repeat key points as needed.

Key things you will notice right away

• Ferrandi Kitchen in Galeries Lafayette, on the 3rd floor, with a proper cooking-class setup
• Up to 6 participants, which keeps the instruction personal
• Interactive baking for about 1.5 hours, not just watching
• You choose the recipe, including strawberry pie, vanilla millefeuille, or Saint-Honoré cake
• You taste your results during the final half hour
• Apron, chef hat, and the recipe included, so you can try again at home

Ferrandi Pastry Class inside Galeries Lafayette, Paris Haussmann

Paris has pastry classes galore, but this one stands out for its setting and structure. The Ferrandi Kitchen is located inside Galeries Lafayette La Maison & Le Gourmet on the 3rd floor, right off Boulevard Haussmann. That matters because you are not wandering between attractions while hoping you find the right room. You show up, meet the chef team, and you get to work in a kitchen designed for teaching.

The whole experience is built around a simple promise: learn core techniques, bake with guidance, and leave with a recipe. You get the added bonus of ending in a quintessential Paris setting, with Galeries Lafayette nearby as your backdrop if you want to continue your day afterward.

This class is also a solid option if you are the type who learns best by doing. You are not just tasting and taking photos. You are handling dough, assembling components, and practicing the steps that make French pastries what they are.

Where the class happens: Galeries Lafayette’s Ferrandi Kitchen

The meeting point is at the Ferrandi Kitchen on the 3rd floor of Galeries Lafayette La Maison & Le Gourmet. Plan your timing so you arrive with enough buffer to find the kitchen level and settle in before the session begins.

Galleries Lafayette is a famous address, but the class itself stays focused. You are there for the kitchen, the tools, and the chef instruction, not for a long museum-style lesson. That is a good trade if you have limited time in Paris and still want something hands-on.

One practical note: the class provides an apron and a chef hat, so you can show up without bringing special gear. Still, you should dress in a way that makes you comfortable working around flour, mixing, and possible spills.

The teaching style with a small group (up to 6 people)

This is a small group class limited to 6 participants, taught by an instructor who works in English or French. That small number changes everything. You are more likely to get quick corrections, and it is easier to understand what the chef wants you to do when there is a question.

In other experiences like this, I sometimes see a common pattern where the chef does most of the “hard parts.” Here, the instruction seems to balance demonstrating and guiding your hands. One review praised the chef and sous chef approach, noting that while there was a lot of movement and prep by the chef team, the class still delivered real technique learning and plenty of tricks explained.

You should expect a rhythm like this:

• the chef explains what you will do
• you practice the steps with supervision
• you ask questions as you go
• you refine your results before the tasting part

If you want to maximize value, bring your questions. Simple ones help a lot: How should the consistency look? What should I do if it seems too thick or too thin? What is the common mistake people make at this step?

Your 2-hour flow: 1.5 hours baking, 30 minutes tasting

The class runs for 2 hours total. About 1.5 hours is interactive baking, and the final half hour is dedicated to savoring what you made.

That schedule is short, which is both a pro and a con. It is a pro because you get a complete experience in one sitting: learn, bake, and eat. It is a con because there is not time for deep repetition of every single step.

So, how do you make it work for you?

• Take notes during explanations, especially on textures and timing cues.
• If you are in English or French, choose the language you are most comfortable with so you can focus on technique rather than translation.
• Watch what others are doing. In a small group, you will quickly see small differences in thickness, shaping, or assembly.

Also, remember that drinks are not included. Plan whether you want to grab water before or after. It is a cooking class, so staying hydrated helps you stay focused during the more hands-on parts.

Choosing your dessert: strawberry pie, millefeuille, Saint-Honoré

A big part of the appeal is that you can choose from multiple recipe options. The class lists options such as:

• strawberry pie
• millefeuille with vanilla
• Saint-Honoré cake

That matters because French pastry is not one single skill. Each dessert pushes different techniques. Even if two desserts use the same ingredients, the process, textures, and assembly can feel very different.

Here is how to think about your choice before you arrive:

• If you want something fruit-forward and approachable, strawberry pie can be a great pick.
• If you want a classic French “wow” factor, vanilla millefeuille is all about delicate layers and careful assembly.
• If you want a richer, more detailed cake experience, Saint-Honoré tends to bring more components into play.

If you are unsure which one to choose, pick based on what you want to be able to reproduce at home. The best recipe to learn is the one you can picture making again when you crave it, not the one that sounds impressive but intimidates you.

What you get included: apron, chef hat, and the recipe

Included with the class:

• apron
• chef hat
• recipe

The recipe is genuinely important. In a short class, you are learning technique and timing, but you also need something concrete to recreate later. The recipe gives you that bridge back home.

I also like that you do not have to worry about bringing basic class gear. That reduces friction, especially if you are traveling light.

Just keep in mind that drinks are not included. If you need something to sip during class, you will want to plan around that so it does not interrupt your focus.

Price and value: is $153 worth it?

At $153 per person for a 2-hour small-group class, this is not a budget activity. But for Paris, the value makes sense if you treat it like a hands-on skill builder rather than entertainment.

Here is what you are paying for:

• professional instruction in a real culinary setting
• small group size (limited to 6), which usually means more attention
• interactive baking time, not only observation
• included recipe to take home
• a dessert tasting portion so you leave with the payoff

If you are the kind of traveler who learns best by doing and you enjoy baking, this can feel like a fair trade. If you are only mildly interested in pastry making, you might feel the price more strongly because 2 hours is still a quick taste of technique, not months of practice.

My practical advice: decide before you book. Ask yourself, will I actually bake these desserts again at home? If yes, the price starts to look very reasonable.

Who should book this class, and who should skip

This class is not for every age group. It states:

• children under 12 cannot participate
• teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• accompanying persons must also have an admission ticket
• pets are not allowed

So, it is best for:

• adults who want real pastry technique in a professional kitchen
• older teens who bake or want a serious guided intro
• couples who want a shared activity and do not mind getting a little flour on their clothes

It is less ideal for:

• families with younger children who want a kid-friendly cooking break
• anyone who wants a long, slow class with repeated practice of every step
• people who expect drinks included

The little planning tips that make pastry classes easier

You will need a passport or ID card to participate. That is a small thing, but it matters because you do not want to scramble at check-in.

Also, because pets are not allowed, plan for that if you are traveling with an animal.

Language is another practical point. The instructor is available in English or French. If your French is basic, choose English. If you want more immersion and you are comfortable, choose French. Either way, you will get the most out of the class by matching the language to your comfort level.

One more tip: since the session is short and some people wish they had a video or extra resource to replay later, you should lean into note-taking. Write down the texture cues, timing cues, and what you did at each stage. You can still be casual, just be specific enough to recreate your process later.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the class meet?

You meet at the Ferrandi Kitchen on the 3rd floor of Galeries Lafayette La Maison & Le Gourmet, Boulevard Haussmann.

How long is the pastry class?

The class lasts 2 hours total, with about 1.5 hours of interactive baking and the last half hour for tasting.

Is the class offered in English or French?

Yes. The instructor offers the class in English or French.

How many people are in the group?

It is a small group limited to 6 participants.

What recipes can I choose from?

Options include strawberry pie, millefeuille with vanilla, and Saint-Honoré cake.

What is included in the price?

Apron, chef hat, and a recipe are included.

Are drinks included?

No, drinks are not included.

What do I need to bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring your passport or ID card. Pets are not allowed.

Who can participate, and are there age limits?

Children under 12 cannot participate. Teenagers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and accompanying persons must also have an admission ticket.

Should you book the Ferrandi pastry class at Galeries Lafayette?

If you want a hands-on French pastry experience with real instruction, this is a strong bet. The small group size, professional Ferrandi Kitchen setting, and the included recipe make it practical, not just scenic.

Book it if you:

• enjoy baking or want a structured intro to French pastry basics
• want to learn a specific dessert you might actually make again
• like the idea of finishing with a tasting from your own work

Skip it if you:

• need a longer class to fully absorb techniques without rushing
• expect drinks to be included
• are traveling with kids under 12, since they cannot participate

If you go in with the right mindset, you will leave with more than a sweet souvenir. You leave with a repeatable skill and a dessert you can recreate, step by step, back home.