Food and wine are as much a part of French culture as history or art. For me, a food tour is the best way to “breathe in” the city through your taste buds. Let’s set off on a journey of flavors, from the boulangerie that fills the street with the heady smell of butter to the pâtisserie with its edible works of art in the window.
I call the tours I’ve collected for you here “tours for hearty eaters”. They include visits to lively markets, old French cheese shops and meetings with local producers. It’s not just about filling your stomach, it’s about gaining a deeper understanding of the Parisian DNA.
Culinary tours in English
Paris has a long list of food tours in English. Here are a few of those tours and workshops, which I’ve carefully handpicked for you:
Food tours in the Marais
The Marais is the beating heart of food in all its variety in Paris. Everything happens right here, from the famous falafel to the trendiest pâtisseries.
Food tours in Montmartre
On the highest hill in Paris, the food always comes with stories of artists and a breathtaking view. The food tour I recommend most is the one with PJ, one of the most colorful people I’ve met in Paris: a chef, a food guide and… a former French army soldier. If he’s available, book him without a second thought. Check availability and book a spot.
If PJ isn’t available, here are a few more options that are not bad at all:
Saint-Germain: the chocolate capital
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is where the intellectual elite meets some of the best chocolatiers in the world. Here are a few food tours I recommend:
Cooking classes and gourmet experiences
Want to learn the secrets behind the perfect croissant or the colorful macaron? This is the place to get your hands floury.
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Macaron class at Galeries Lafayette
Learn to make the famous French cookie in the heart of the grand Galeries Lafayette department store. A fun and sweet experience.
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The restaurant bus: Bus Toqué
An unusual romantic experience: a 5-course gourmet meal while the bus drives past all the stunning sights of Paris.
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Dinner cruise
A cruise on the Seine aboard the Diamant Bleu. Good food, live music and the twinkling lights of Paris.
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EatWith: a home-cooked meal
Tired of restaurants? Book a seat at a home-cooked dinner hosted by a local cook or a Parisian chef. An intimate and memorable experience.
Wine tours outside Paris
Leave the city for a day and discover where the most famous bubbles in the world come from.
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Day trip to Champagne
Visit historic Champagne houses, tour the vineyards and taste real Champagne straight from the source. A day for the senses.
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Mont-Saint-Michel and cider
A day trip to the stunning abbey in Normandy, with a stop to taste authentic local cider. History and flavor in one day.
