Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France in the eyes of many cooks, and few experiences get you closer to the local food culture than shopping and cooking like a Lyonnais. This class starts with a walk through the Croix-Rousse market, the neighbourhood market on the silk workers’ hill, where you meet stallholders, see what is in season and choose ingredients for the meal. From there you move to a rooftop kitchen with views over the city and cook a French meal with a chef, learning techniques that you can repeat at home. Afterwards you sit down to a four-course lunch with cheese and wine, enjoying the dishes you have just prepared. The whole experience lasts about three and a half hours, and is intimate rather than industrial, which is why reviews are so enthusiastic. It suits couples, friends and solo travellers who like to cook, and it is a good alternative to a restaurant lunch because you leave with recipes and a better sense of what you are eating. Hotel pick-up is not included, so meet at the designated starting point, and free cancellation is available on the booking terms.
How to book
Reserve in advance because small classes sell out, especially on weekends and in the spring and autumn months. Tell the organiser about dietary needs and allergies when you book so they can plan the menu. Wear comfortable, closed shoes and clothing you do not mind getting a little flour or sauce on, and bring a light layer for the rooftop.
What to expect
You begin at the market, where the pace is leisurely and the chef introduces local produce, cheeses, bread and charcuterie. Back in the kitchen, everyone takes part, and the chef gives tips on seasoning, knife skills and timing. Because the menu follows the market, dishes change with the seasons, so a winter class feels different from a summer one. Lunch is a relaxed, convivial meal, and you will probably leave with the recipes and a very full stomach.
Making the most of it
Schedule the class on a day when you have nothing else strenuous planned, because it is a long, generous lunch. Combine it with a walk through the traboules of the Croix-Rousse before or after, and balance it with a lighter dinner. If you would rather taste than cook, the food tours at Les Halles Paul Bocuse and a bouchon dinner in Vieux Lyon are alternative ways to learn the city through its plates.
A word on the market itself
The Croix-Rousse market is one of the best in Lyon, a long line of stalls along the boulevard on the plateau where producers sell vegetables, cheese, bread, charcuterie, flowers and prepared food. Locals shop here, so it is a good chance to see how Lyonnais buy what they cook.
Look out for regional cheeses such as Saint-Marcellin, cured sausages such as rosette de Lyon and seasonal produce like cardoons in winter or tomatoes and peaches in summer. Even if you do not take the class, a morning at the market followed by a coffee is a very Lyon way to spend a few hours.
What to expect
The experience
A guided market visit followed by a hands-on cooking class in a rooftop kitchen and a seated four-course lunch.
Best time
Spring to autumn for the best produce and the rooftop, though winter classes are cosy and seasonal.
How long
About three and a half hours.
Tips
Share dietary needs when booking, wear closed shoes and keep the afternoon free for a long lunch.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers who want to cook and shop like a local.
- Families
- Best for adults and teenagers who enjoy cooking; check age rules when booking.
- Couples
- A relaxed, social lunch with city views that ends in wine and cheese.
- Pair with
- A walk through the Croix-Rousse traboules before the class.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What does the cooking class include?+
A visit to the Croix-Rousse market, a hands-on cooking class in a rooftop kitchen and a four-course French lunch with cheese and wine.
How long does it last?+
About three and a half hours from start to finish, so plan for a relaxed late morning and lunch.
Is hotel pick-up included?+
No, you meet at the starting point yourself. The Croix-Rousse is easy to reach by metro line C from Hôtel de Ville.
Can I cancel?+
Free cancellation is available under the booking terms, usually up to a day before. Check the conditions when you reserve.
Can dietary needs be met?+
Tell the organiser about allergies and dietary preferences when you book so the menu can be adapted.
