Sunday is a day of rest for many people, but there’s plenty to keep you busy in Paris, like visiting the market in Montmartre … and cooking on Sunday in Paris with a French chef .
Sunday in Paris
Starting just after eight o’clock this morning, I set out from my hotel to catch the metro toward Jules Joffrin. My destination? A rendezvous with a chef from the Paris School of Cook’n With Class. I was told to watch for a man “toting a green grocery cart.” Sure enough, right on time, Chef Anton appeared, smiling and ready to lead the way.
Sunday in Paris: Market Morning
Cooking on Sunday in Paris begins with the marketplace. Unlike Uzès, where stalls line open-air squares, this neighborhood near the Jules Joffrin Metro has actual storefronts that serve as Sunday markets. Many shops were shuttered for presidential Election Day, yet plenty remained open, offering everything we needed for a feast.
The selection was irresistible. Stacks of gleaming vegetables—radishes, asparagus, baby carrots—caught our attention immediately. The butchers displayed perfect cuts of duck breast, while the fishmongers showed off gleaming fillets of sea bass that looked like they had been caught that very morning.
If you’ve ever wandered through a market on a Sunday in Paris, you know the thrill. The air is alive with chatter, colors are brighter, and every counter seems to whisper, “Take me home and cook me.”
Choosing the Menu
Have you ever seen such perfect produce?
….and the meats and fish. Perfect!
Choosing the Menu
As we moved from stall to stall, we talked about flavors, textures, and possibilities. By the time we gathered our last ingredient, Chef Anton had outlined our four-course menu for the day:
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Pan-seared sea bass with asparagus and tomato butter
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Duck breast with baby vegetables and a delicate celeriac mousse
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A French cheese course with local selections
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Pear tart Bourdaloue finished with fresh strawberries
With our shopping bags full and appetites growing, we walked the short distance to the Cook’n With Class kitchen.
Inside Cook’n With Class
The cooking school itself is warm and welcoming—set up more like a home kitchen than a classroom. This is the philosophy of Cook’n With Class: learning by doing, in an intimate environment where each participant can cook, taste, and ask questions freely.
Under Anton’s guidance, we began with the sea bass. The fillets sizzled as they met the hot pan, their skin crisping beautifully.
Next came the duck breast. Scoring the skin to release its fat, we learned the trick to cooking it evenly: patience and low heat. Served with baby vegetables, it all melted on the tongue; it was a dish that could easily appear on any Parisian restaurant menu.
Here’s where we ended up… with all those lovely ingredients… and we created this!
Finally, the dessert. Rolling pastry, poaching pears, and whisking almond cream filled the kitchen with sweet aromas. Topped with strawberries, the pear tart looked as lovely as it tasted.
The Joy of Cooking on Sunday in Paris
What makes cooking on Sunday in Paris so special? It’s more than recipes or techniques. It’s the rhythm of the day: beginning in the market, choosing ingredients, talking with local shopkeepers, and ending in the kitchen with flavors that tell the story of the season.
Unlike a typical tourist experience, this is an immersive experience. It’s about being part of the city—shopping where Parisians shop, cooking as they cook, and sharing a table in the heart of Montmartre.
Why You Should Try It
For travelers looking for something deeper than sightseeing, a Sunday cooking class offers an unforgettable experience. You don’t just eat in Paris—you live it. From fish to cheese to pastry, every bite carries the essence of the market that morning.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or simply curious, this experience blends tradition with creativity. You walk away not only with recipes but also with confidence to recreate a French meal back home.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for the perfect way to spend a Sunday in Paris, consider starting at the market and ending in the kitchen. Cooking on Sunday in Paris with Cook’n With Class is more than a class—it’s a story you’ll carry with you, one delicious bite at a time.
