Updated September 2026: Current course formats, booking guidance, contact details and links have been refreshed. Our four hour croissant class remains the personal experience reviewed below.
Learning to make croissants inside the Ritz Paris is a memorable way to explore French pastry. Our class took place in the hotel’s dedicated kitchen at the École Ritz Escoffier. It combined professional instruction with an intimate, practical format.
The experience was enjoyable, detailed and surprisingly physical. Be ready to stand for most of the session.
Our Ritz Escoffier pastry class experience
Our four hour class focused on croissants and pains au chocolat. The chefs demonstrated each stage, from mixing the dough to shaping and baking.
Viennoiserie takes far longer than a single workshop because the dough must rest between stages. The school prepared time sensitive elements in advance. We could still learn each technique without waiting overnight.
Everything was clean, measured and organised. The small class gave us enough access to the chefs when a fold or shape needed correction.
What we learned
- How flour, yeast, milk, sugar and butter form the base dough.
- Why butter must be flattened evenly before lamination.
- How repeated folds create the pastry’s flaky layers.
- How to shape croissants and pains au chocolat.
- How spacing and proofing affect the finished bake.
Extra chocolate made the pain au chocolat more personal. The amount of butter was also memorable. Once you see the process, every crisp layer makes much more sense.
Video highlights
The video below shows parts of our class and several techniques demonstrated by the chefs.
Photos from our class
At the end of our session, we received a certificate and a box of pastries. Our class was taught in French with translation support available. These details can vary, so confirm the language and inclusions when booking a current course.
The apron and cooking manual provided during our class.
A pain au chocolat before baking.
Chocolate batons are placed before the dough is folded.
Each pastry was shaped and placed carefully on its tray.
Flour, milk, butter, sugar and yeast ready for the next stage.
Butter prepared for flattening and lamination.
Our handmade croissants before baking.
The finished croissants were crisp, flaky and difficult to resist.
Fresh pains au chocolat after baking.
Tasting the finished pastries together.
Our pastries were packed into a box to take home.
Current École Ritz Escoffier courses
The school still operates at 15 Place Vendôme. Current options include cooking, pastry and bespoke workshops for amateurs and professionals.
The official viennoiserie course is now offered in longer formats of one and a half days or three days. Other pastry workshops may run for three or four hours. Course themes, dates and prices change, so use the official school page for live availability.
- Address: 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France.
- Telephone: +33 1 43 16 30 30.
- Booking: Reserve through the official Ritz Paris website.
- Before attending: Confirm the teaching language, duration and take home items.
Is the class good value?
This is a premium experience, not the cheapest pastry lesson in Paris. Much of the value comes from the setting, small group instruction and access to Ritz Paris chefs.
It suits travellers who want a special culinary activity. Serious home bakers will also appreciate seeing professional organisation and technique at close range.
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable closed shoes because you may stand for several hours.
- Arrive early to find the correct entrance and complete check in.
- Bring questions for the chef, especially about dough temperature and proofing.
- Leave space in your day for carrying a pastry box afterward.
- Check cancellation terms before booking a premium course.
Continue the Ritz pastry theme with our Le Comptoir at Ritz Paris review. For another hands on culinary experience, see our Mandarin Oriental Thai Cooking School review. Our Café Kitsuné Palais Royal review offers a simpler Paris coffee stop.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners attend École Ritz Escoffier?
Yes. The school offers workshops for different ability levels. Check the course description before booking.
Are Ritz Escoffier classes taught in English?
Our class was taught in French with translation support. Confirm the current language arrangements for your chosen date.
Do you take the pastries home?
We took home a box of the pastries made during our class. Current inclusions depend on the selected workshop.
How long is the croissant class?
Our historical class lasted four hours. The current dedicated viennoiserie course is listed in longer formats.
The Brief Review verdict
École Ritz Escoffier turned a complicated pastry process into an enjoyable and practical lesson. The small class, professional kitchen and take home pastries made it memorable. It remains a strong luxury activity for anyone serious about French food.