What to Do in Paris If You Love Gastronomy

What to Do in Paris If You Love Gastronomy

Paris isn’t just a city to admire.

It’s a city to taste.

As one of the world’s great gastronomic capitals, Paris brings together exceptional artisans, producers, chefs, cheesemongers, bakers, pastry chefs, wine merchants, and gourmet food specialists. Behind the windows of its bakeries, pâtisseries, fromageries, wine shops, and delicatessens lies one of the richest culinary heritages on Earth.

But for true food lovers, simply tasting isn’t enough.

You want to understand the products.

Meet the people who make them.

Discover their stories.

Experience French gastronomy from the inside.

Whether you live in Paris or are visiting the French capital, here are some of the finest culinary experiences to enjoy.

Visit Paris’s Great Food Markets

Parisian markets are the perfect introduction to the richness of French gastronomy.

Each neighborhood has its own atmosphere, specialties, and loyal local producers.

Among the city’s most famous markets are:

  • Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris;
  • Marché d’Aligre, renowned for its lively atmosphere;
  • Marché Bastille, one of the city’s largest food markets;
  • Marché Président-Wilson, celebrated for the exceptional quality of its produce.

These markets showcase the changing seasons, regional specialties, and the extraordinary diversity of French food.

Discover France’s Extraordinary Cheese Heritage

No exploration of French gastronomy would be complete without cheese.

With well over a thousand varieties, France possesses one of the world’s richest cheese traditions.

Yet surprisingly few visitors truly understand the differences between cooked pressed cheeses, washed-rind cheeses, farmhouse cheeses, or long-aged specialties.

A guided cheese tasting workshop opens the door to this fascinating world.

Led by an experienced Master Cheesemonger, you’ll learn how to:

  • recognize the major families of French cheese;
  • understand the importance of affinage (cheese aging);
  • identify aromas and textures;
  • compose a perfectly balanced cheese board;
  • discover outstanding cheese and wine pairings, as well as other beverage matches.

At Androuet, this tradition of sharing knowledge dates back to 1909.

For more than 115 years, the House has carefully selected artisan producers, matured exceptional cheeses, and introduced generations of food lovers to the richness of French cheese.

“Cheese is one of the very few foods that tells the story of a landscape, a season, and the work of an artisan all at once.”

— An Androuet Master Cheesemonger

Enjoy Lunch in a Traditional Parisian Bistro

Parisian gastronomy extends far beyond Michelin-starred restaurants.

Traditional bistros remain one of the finest ways to experience authentic French cuisine.

Classic dishes include:

  • eggs with homemade mayonnaise;
  • country-style pâté;
  • blanquette de veau;
  • duck confit;
  • sole meunière;
  • rich chocolate mousse.

These timeless recipes celebrate the true spirit of French hospitality and conviviality.

Explore Paris’s Legendary Pastry Shops

Paris attracts dessert lovers from every corner of the globe.

Must-try experiences include:

  • discovering the creations of world-renowned pastry chefs;
  • comparing different versions of the iconic Paris-Brest;
  • tasting an authentic Saint-Honoré;
  • enjoying a freshly assembled mille-feuille.

French pastry is a cultural treasure in its own right.

Join a Wine Tasting

Wine naturally accompanies French gastronomy.

Many Parisian wine merchants and tasting rooms offer experiences where visitors can learn about:

  • grape varieties;
  • France’s wine regions;
  • winemaking techniques;
  • food and wine pairing principles.

These workshops pair beautifully with a cheese tasting experience.

Discover Paris’s Gourmet Food Shops

Some delicatessens have become true culinary institutions.

Inside, you’ll find exceptional products sourced from every region of France:

  • extra virgin olive oils;
  • artisan honey;
  • handmade jams;
  • premium charcuterie;
  • fine chocolates;
  • spices;
  • rare condiments.

These gourmet boutiques allow visitors to extend their culinary journey long after returning home.

Learn Directly from Local Artisans

One of Paris’s greatest pleasures is meeting the artisans themselves.

A baker happily explains the secrets of natural sourdough.

A chocolatier shares the origins of fine cocoa beans.

A wine merchant describes the character of each terroir.

A Master Cheesemonger reveals the art of affinage.

These personal encounters add a whole new dimension to discovering French gastronomy.

Organize a Gourmet Picnic

Paris offers countless beautiful places to enjoy an outdoor gourmet lunch.

Some favorites include:

  • the banks of the Seine;
  • the Luxembourg Gardens;
  • the Champ de Mars;
  • Parc Monceau;
  • Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

All you need is a carefully selected basket containing:

  • a traditional French baguette;
  • several artisan cheeses;
  • seasonal fruit;
  • handcrafted charcuterie;
  • a fine pastry.

Simple.

Elegant.

Entirely French.

Why Are Culinary Workshops So Popular?

Today’s travelers seek much more than sightseeing.

They want experiences.

They want to understand products.

Meet passionate artisans.

Learn new skills.

Share memorable moments.

Gastronomic workshops answer exactly those expectations.

Participants leave not only with wonderful memories but also with knowledge they’ll use for years to come.

A Story from the House of Androuet

It happens regularly.

International visitors arrive convinced they already know French cheese.

Perhaps they’ve tasted Brie or Camembert back home.

After spending two hours with an Androuet Master Cheesemonger, they discover cheeses they had never imagined, learn how to recognize the major cheese families, and finally understand why cheese aging is considered a true profession in France.

Many later tell us that the experience helped them better understand French gastronomy as a whole.

A Different Way to Discover Paris

Visiting Paris means admiring the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre.

But it also means taking time to meet the men and women who preserve France’s culinary traditions.

Cheese is undoubtedly one of those traditions.

For more than a century, Androuet has introduced visitors to this remarkable gastronomic heritage through its boutiques and tasting workshops.

Joining one of our tastings offers an authentic French experience—far beyond the tourist clichés—bringing you closer to exceptional products and the people who dedicate their lives to creating them.

Discover Androuet’s Cheese Workshops

Would you like to explore France’s extraordinary cheese heritage, learn to taste cheese like a Master Cheesemonger, or simply enjoy an unforgettable gourmet experience in Paris?

Discover Androuet’s full range of cheese tasting, cheese-making, and educational workshops.

👉 https://androuet.com/offre-ateliers/

Learn More

A – The Complete Guide to Cheese Workshops

B – Androuet: Paris’s Cheese Workshop Expert

C – Cheese Workshop Experiences in Paris

  1. The Best Gourmet Activities in Paris
  2. What to Do in Paris if You Love Gastronomy
  3. The best gifts for a cheese lover
  4. 10 Unforgettable Gastronomic Experiences in Paris
  5. What to Do in Paris on a Rainy Day
  6. Romantic Gastronomic Activities for Couples in Paris
  7. The Best Gourmet Team-Building Ideas

Learn & federate

70€/pers

“Cheese discovery” workshop in Paris

Come and learn the subtle art of cheese and its pairings with our cheesemonger and affineur—an expert in the science of cheese.

95€/pers

“Cheese enthusiast” workshop in Paris

Deepen your knowledge with this workshop on cheese and wine pairings.

76€/pers

Cheese-making workshop in Paris

Learn how to make 3 cheeses.

79€/pers

The “Secrets of Cheese” workshop in Paris

Learn, taste, and have fun. Come and discover this introduction to the art of cheese tasting. Learn to put your sensory impressions into words—all in a fun and cheerful atmosphere!
An Androuet exclusive.