Give your children the opportunity to discover French cooking through a private, hands-on experience in Provence.
Led personally by Chef Clément, each cooking or pastry class is adapted to the children’s ages, interests and confidence in the kitchen. Rather than following a fixed programme, they prepare carefully selected recipes step by step, learn real techniques and, above all, spend an enjoyable few hours cooking for themselves.
Classes can take place at your villa or vacation rental in Provence, or in a private cooking workshop in central Aix-en-Provence.
Whether your children already love cooking or are putting on an apron for the first time, the experience is designed around them, with plenty to do and something delicious to show for it at the end.
A Private Cooking Experience Designed Around Your Children
No two children approach cooking in quite the same way. Some want to do everything themselves; others need a little time before getting involved. Some are fascinated by pastry, while others would much rather prepare something savoury.
That is precisely why these classes are private.
Every class is personally taught by Chef Clément, a professionally trained French chef who has been teaching cooking classes since 2012. With younger children, the emphasis is on accessible, varied preparations that keep them involved: weighing ingredients, mixing, kneading, shaping, filling, assembling or decorating.
As children grow older and become more confident, the recipes can introduce greater precision and more advanced techniques. When appropriate, they can also learn how to use kitchen utensils and equipment safely under Chef Clément’s supervision. Teenagers with a genuine interest in cooking can follow a more challenging programme, closer in spirit to an adult cooking class while still being adapted to their experience.
The idea is simple: let them really cook.
Chef Clément demonstrates and explains each stage, then guides them as they prepare the recipes themselves. The atmosphere remains relaxed and encouraging, while giving children the satisfaction of creating something from beginning to end.
No previous cooking experience is required.
Cooking or French Pastry? Let Them Choose
The experience can be built around French pastry and baking, savoury cooking, or a selection of preparations chosen according to the children’s interests and ages.
The recipes are agreed in advance, allowing Chef Clément to create a programme that is varied, achievable and enjoyable throughout the class.
French Pastry & Baking
For children with a sweet tooth, a pastry class is a wonderful introduction to French pâtisserie.
Depending on their age and the programme selected, they might prepare an apple tarte Tatin with salted butter caramel, lemon meringue tart, chocolate chip financiers, cream puffs, chouquettes or other French and seasonal desserts.
Along the way, they can discover how to prepare a dough or batter, use a piping bag, work with pastry cream, shape choux pastry, assemble a dessert and add the finishing touches to their creations.
Older children and teenagers who already enjoy baking can work on more technical recipes and discover some of the methods used in traditional French pastry.
Savoury Cooking
Children who prefer cooking can discover approachable French and Provençal recipes with plenty of hands-on preparation.
Depending on the season and their preferences, the menu might include a Provençal vegetable tian, a savoury puff-pastry tart, cherry tomato tarte Tatin, a French-style burger or crispy goat cheese and honey aumônières.
The recipes are selected not simply because children are likely to enjoy eating them, but because there is plenty for them to actually do.
For older children and teenagers, the class can become more technical, with greater emphasis on organisation, preparation and the cooking techniques behind each dish.
Just for the Children or for the Whole Family
The workshop can be organised primarily around the children, with parents nearby, or parents can join them and cook too.
If you would like parents, grandparents and children to participate equally throughout the experience, the Private Family Cooking Class in Provence may be a better fit.
In that format, the experience is designed around the whole family, with different preparations and tasks adapted to each person.
The children’s cooking class, by contrast, puts the younger cooks at the centre of the experience from the outset.
At Your Villa or in Aix-en-Provence
There is no need to fit your holiday around a fixed group class. Your private children’s cooking experience can be organised in the setting that works best for your family.
At Your Villa or Vacation Rental in Provence
Chef Clément can come directly to your villa, vacation rental or private home, bringing the ingredients and equipment required for the recipes planned together.
For families travelling with younger children, this can be particularly comfortable: there is no additional journey to organise, the children remain in familiar surroundings and the experience becomes part of a relaxed day at the villa.
Travel within a 20-mile (35 km) round trip from Aix-en-Provence is included. Additional travel fees may apply beyond this area.
When enquiring, simply provide the location of your accommodation so that availability and any applicable travel costs can be confirmed.
At a Private Cooking Workshop in Aix-en-Provence
Prefer to come into Aix?
Your class can also be organised in a dedicated cooking workshop in central Aix-en-Provence.
The kitchen is reserved privately for your group, giving children the space to cook comfortably without being added to a public class or sharing the experience with other guests.
Workshop rental is available for an additional flat fee of €250 per group.
What’s Included
Your private children’s cooking or pastry class includes the ingredients required for the recipes selected in advance, hands-on instruction with Chef Clément and a recipe booklet so the children can recreate their favourite preparations at home.
For experiences held at your villa or vacation rental, travel within the standard area around Aix-en-Provence is included. Additional travel fees may apply for properties located farther away.
For experiences held in Aix-en-Provence, private workshop rental is charged separately.
Children under 6 are usually complimentary, although a small contribution towards ingredients may apply. A reduced rate is available for children aged 6 to 8 when the group includes at least 7 full-paying participants. From age 9, the standard adult rate applies.
Full prices, inclusions and practical information are available on the dedicated pricing page.
FAQ
What ages are the children’s cooking classes suitable for?
Classes can be adapted to different ages, from young children discovering the kitchen to teenagers who already have an interest in cooking or baking.
The recipes, techniques and pace are adjusted accordingly. When enquiring, provide the age of each child so that Chef Clément can recommend the most suitable programme.
Does my child need any previous cooking experience?
Not at all.
Complete beginners are welcome, while children who already cook or bake regularly can be given more challenging preparations. Because the class is private, the level can be adjusted to the participants rather than imposed on the whole group.
Can parents participate?
Yes.
Parents can cook alongside their children or remain nearby, depending on the experience you would like to create.
If adults and children will all be participating equally, the dedicated Family Cooking Class in Provence may be the most appropriate option.
Can we choose the recipes?
Yes. Recipes are discussed and selected in advance.
You can choose between French pastry and baking, savoury cooking or a programme combining different preparations. Chef Clément can recommend recipes according to the children’s ages, interests, the season and the time available.
Where can the class take place?
The experience can take place at your villa, vacation rental or private home in Provence, subject to location and suitable kitchen facilities.
Alternatively, a dedicated cooking workshop can be privately reserved in central Aix-en-Provence.
How long does a children’s cooking or pastry class last?
The duration depends on the type of experience, recipes selected and ages of the children.
A private pastry class typically lasts around 3.5 hours, while a complete private cooking experience can last up to approximately 5 hours.
For children, the programme and pace can be adapted in advance to create an experience suited to their age and attention span.
Can you accommodate allergies or dietary requirements?
Many dietary requirements can be taken into account when choosing the recipes, depending on the requested adaptation.
Any allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements must be communicated before the menu is confirmed so that Chef Clément can determine what can be safely and appropriately accommodated.
Are the classes available in English?
Yes. Classes are available in English.
Chef Clément regularly teaches international guests visiting Provence, so children do not need to speak French to participate.
Is this a private class?
Yes. The experience is exclusively reserved for your group.
No outside participants are added to the session, allowing Chef Clément to adapt the recipes, teaching and pace specifically to the children taking part.
A Cooking Experience They Can Take Home from Provence
A family holiday is filled with places to visit. A cooking class offers children something a little different: the chance to take part, make something themselves and bring a small piece of Provence home with them.
Whether they would love to discover French pastry, prepare their first Provençal dishes or simply spend a few enjoyable hours cooking with a French chef, the experience can be shaped around them.
To enquire, send your preferred date, the location of your accommodation or your preference for the Aix-en-Provence workshop, the number and ages of the children, and whether they are more interested in cooking, pastry or both.
Chef Clément will suggest the most suitable experience for your group.