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Top 15 Best Pastry Schools in France
*Originally published by Natalie on October 2020 and Updated by Vanessa in October 2022
France is usually the top pick for aspiring pastry chefs; the country is known for having perfected the art of this cuisine long before all others.
Most of the best institutions are situated in Paris. There are a handful of other notable schools scattered around the country, but for the most part, one can expect to revive the very best education from the capital.
Here are the 15 you need to know about:
1. Le Cordon Bleu
Where: Paris
Le Cordon Bleu is a world renowned culinary institution based in the center of Paris. It’s known for having some of the most comprehensive courses on the continent, and students come from far and wide to enroll in their programs.
The school was founded in 1895, and offers everything from traditional French pastry, to bread making and even a vegetarian course. At le Cordon Bleu you’ll also be given the opportunity to learn wine pairing, which is not something offered at most cooking schools.
Le Cordon Bleu – by Le Cordon Bleu – Uploaded by them
Click here for the 10 best patisseries in Paris
2. Les Coulisses du Chef in France
Where: Paris
Also based in Paris, les Coulisses du Chef is another renowned institution, founded by the fantastic Chef Olivier Berté.
Here you’ll have your pick of some world class courses, ranging from the art of patisserie to cooking for coeliacs. This school is less exclusive compared to the aforementioned establishment, and anyone is welcome to enroll, even if just to broaden their culinary interest.
Les Coulisses du Chef is situated in the 2nd arrondissement; a vibrant part of the city and within walking distance to some of the best Parisian attractions.
3. L’École Lenôtre in France
Where: Paris
l’Ecole Lenôtre is considered to be one of the best pastry schools on the planet, and was founded by Gaston Lenôtre in 1971. The school is in Paris, and attracts students from over 100 different countries each year.
The education here is based on the most traditional French cuisine. All of the chefs have worked with the top dogs of the industry; Gaston Lenôtre himself is known for being one of the biggest names ever in pastry.
This school is a high pressure environment and extremely competitive. If there’s one way to throw yourself into the deep end when it comes to learning pastry, it’s at l’Ecole Lenôtre.
L’École Lenôtre – by L’École Lenôtre – Uploaded by them
4. L’École Ducasse in France
Where: Paris
L’Ecole Ducasse is somewhat of the new kid on the block in light of the Parisian pastry scene. It was only founded in 1999, which makes it much younger than the rest of the culinary schools in France. The campus is situated in the northwestern Parisian suburbs, and offers a 3 year Bachelor Degree in Pastry Arts.
L’École Ducasse – by L’École Ducasse – Uploaded by them
The school’s founder, Alain Ducasse, has 21 Michelin Stars combined, as of 2014. Classes are taught in both English and French, which makes this a very inclusive school indeed. Programs are hands-on and immersive; you’ll be working in the kitchen from day one.
For Michelin Star restaurants in Paris, click here!
5. L’Atelier des Sens in France
Where: Paris & Lyon
L’Atelier des Sens directly translates to “workshop of the senses”, and this is a fine indication of what to expect from enrolling here.
This school is favored by expats from the UK, as the classes are offered in English. The programs include trips to local markets, and even opportunities to work in the pastry kitchen with children.
They have a campus in both Paris and Lyon, so if you want a pastry experience that isn’t centered in the French capital, this may be the school for you.
6. La Cuisine Paris in France
Where: Paris
If you’re more of an experiential learner, you may enjoy the approach taken by la Cuisine Paris.
This pastry school works through a series of programs, many of which involve actual outings to ‘foodie’ hotspots around the capital. Some are mandatory, and then there are tours on offer for anyone who wants to continue to explore French cuisine from the ground.
La Cuisine Paris – by La Cuisine Paris – Uploaded by them
All classes at la Cuisine are taught in English.
7. École de Cuisine La Varenne in France
Where: Paris, Burgundy & California
La Varenne culinary school considers itself to be ahead of the curve when it comes to teaching students from different global backgrounds. This was the first pastry school in France to incorporate a translation process as and when lessons are happening.
Classes are translated in real time from French to English, and la Varenne has recently added Japanese to their language list.
8. Ecole Ritz Escoffier in France
Where: Paris
The Place Vendome is one of the most enchanting spots in Paris, especially when the sun sets at the end of the day. Right here in the plaza is the entrance to Ecole Ritz Escoffier, a boutique pastry school offering short and long courses to all interested patrons.
This is a wonderful place for anyone simply looking to learn something new, or expand their current French culinary understanding. It’s an extremely professional estsablismet, with Michelin Star energy from the minute you step inside.
Ecole Ritz Escoffier – by Ecole Ritz Escoffier – Uploaded by them
9. National Superior School Of Pastry in France
Where: Yssingeaux
If you’d like to get out of Paris, look at the National Superior School Of Pastry. It’s just past Lyon in a village called Yssingeaux; a charming, medieval town with a wholesome feel.
Attending a course over the Christmas season is one of the most enchanting things you’ll ever do. The village is blanketed in snow, and your walk to class each morning feels like something out of a French fairytale.
Click here for Christmas traditions in France
10. Gastronomicom in France
Where: Agde
If you value the rural school feel, but are not partial to being deep inland in France, take a look at Gastronomicom on the coast, just west of Marseille.
The reviews left by ex-students of this school are something worth noting. There seems to be a heightened level of camaraderie for all who attend the establishment. You’ll obtain skills that can be used across all cuisines.
It’s also wonderful that Gastronomicom is situated a short drive from the Spanish boarder, just 3 hours from Barcelona, making weekends a lot more exciting.
11. Bachelor in International Pastry Management
Thomas Trevethan Chef by Thomas Trevethan from Wikimedia commons
WHERE: Château du Vivier, 1A Chemin de Calabert BP25 69131 Ecully Cedex
The French Culinary Institute is a prestigious pastry chef school that provides a top-notch program in pastry arts created by the legendary Jacques Torres. The main components of excellent pastry, from creation to presentation, are the emphasis of the program.
This enables you to plan pastry classes into your schedule. It lasts 6 months for day classes and 9 months for night classes. According to your level of expertise, the program is further separated into specialty and amateur classes. In addition to offering courses in New York and California, the French Culinary Institute also has various financial aid opportunities.
12. Ferrières, the School of French Excellence
WHERE: Rue du Château, 77164 Ferrières-en-Brie, France
Les Ateliers Ferrières benefits from the expertise and resources of “Ferrières, the School of French Excellence” and offers experts and novices the core skills necessary to become top-tier culinary artisans. In order to broaden their horizons and increase their knowledge, French and foreign students are introduced to extensive technical skills.
13. Gastronomicom International Culinary
WHERE: 8 Rue des Moulins À Huile, 34300 Agde, France
A global culinary institute ranked 10th overall is Gastronomicom, which was established in 2004. Students from all over the world are welcome at this attractive university in the south of France. It offers English-language cooking and pastry classes in addition to French instruction.
The institution offers many one-month to one-year courses for both professionals and beginners that result in certificates and degrees in French language competency, culinary arts, and pastry arts from French government ministries.
Additionally, this organization offers paid internships in prestigious establishments like Relais-Chateaux and other locations praised by the French Michelin Guide, such as luxury French restaurants.
14. Ferrandi Paris: The French School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Paris
WHERE: 28 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, 75006 Paris, France
You may enjoy French cuisine while learning about French culture at Ferrandi Paris.
The college is highly regarded for providing excellent, exceptional instruction. Its basic tenet is that perfection can only be obtained by putting in a lot of work and adhering to rigid standards. It calls for complete mastery of all techniques, provides experience in real-world situations, and encourages the growth of managerial skills and creativity.
Both vocational (CAP Post-BAC) and bachelor’s degree programs in culinary arts and entrepreneurship are available as courses. Students obtain world-class culinary skills through this curriculum, as well as administrative and entrepreneurial skills.
The programs provided by Worldsdom and IPC Wines & Spirits, which are famous for their profound knowledge of wines and spirits, are also accessible to students enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree at the Bordeaux campus.
15. Lenôtre Quai Henri IV, School of Culinary Arts, Paris
WHERE: Quai Henri IV, 75004 Paris, France
École Lenôtre is a renowned culinary institute where aspiring pastry chefs and cooks learn how to turn their passion into a profession. Professionals from all over the world come to the institute to learn well-known Maison Lenôtre dishes and develop their own cooking methods.
Sharing information is a legacy of Gaston Lenôtre, the creator of contemporary pastry creation and the man behind École Lenôtre. It is also one of the guiding principles of the company.
The abilities of the Lenôtre craftsmen have been sincerely sought out, developed, and passed down by successive generations of cooks. The institution offers certification, advanced courses for individuals looking to expand their skill sets, and specialized support to provide value and ensure long-term food service efforts.
