Culinary Arts & French Culture
Summer '25 New Program!
Sauté, braise, and flambé your own dishes in the food capital of the world.
Discover the secrets of French cuisine in Paris alongside food experts and chefs. Each week, step into the kitchen for hands-on classes and explore restaurants and open-air markets to inspire your creations. Through coursework developed with Paris’ world-renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, you'll prepare appetizers, entrées, pastries, and dessert!
Delve into French culinary history and in-season produce. Meet local food vendors and restaurateurs for tips on ingredient selection and plating. In the end, you’ll team up with other Global Navigators to create a menu and present a meal.
As the sun sets over the Seine River, stroll Paris’ cobblestone streets, past iconic bistros and brasseries on Rue Montorgueil and the famous Eiffel Tower and Louvre. On excursions to Versailles and Provins, learn about dishes served at the time of Louis XIV and indulge in a medieval lunch. In Paris, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the art of French cooking, creating delicious meals and memories along the way.
Practice your skills in Paris' premier cooking school!
The Take-Aways
Real-world Experience
Put on your chef’s hat and make your own dishes using traditional and contemporary French culinary techniques. Come home with a mastery of classic French fares, savory and sweet, and a creative portfolio of recipes.
Credentials For Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a portfolio to document your increasing culinary literacy and to showcase your work with a variety of ingredients.
Life Skills And New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication and leadership skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S.
45
Hours Of Expert Instruction
3
Weeks Pursuing Your Passion
1
Life-changing Experienc
The Destination
Welcome to Paris, where gastronomy takes center stage.
Paris is truly a feast! With its fresh and seasonal ingredients to its multi-course meals and food presentation—dating back to medieval times—the French capital has been pioneering culinary culture for centuries. Today, the city boasts 132 Michelin-starred restaurants; excellent street food, based on both classic French favorites and international cuisines; and delectable boulangeries (bakeries), whose freshly-baked croissants you’ll remember for years to come.
With a population of over 2 million, multicultural Paris is abuzz with music, bustling markets, and art. There are beautiful, serene areas, too, like the Luxembourg Gardens and Seine riverbanks, a dream setting for a picnic with friends. Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to its iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, from Notre-Dame Cathedral to Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe and the Latin Quarter. As you savor the various flavors of Paris, you’ll discover why the city shines as a culture and culinary capital.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Paris.
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Indulge in a cheese tasting workshop and taste exquisite French cheeses while learning about cheese production methods.
- Climb all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower to take in panoramic views of Paris. Try to spot the city’s iconic landmarks.
- Travel back in time as you explore the Palace of Versailles, the opulent residence commissioned by King Louis XIV. Hear all about the incredible meals served in the royal court.
- Cruise along the Seine on a boat tour, passing beneath historic city bridges and admiring Parisian architecture.
- Experience spectacular jousts and equestrian stunts during a medieval show (accompanied by a medieval meal) in Provins, a medieval town in the French countryside.
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Classroom Experience: A Springboard to Proficiency Growth with CIEE
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À Sarcelles with Olympic stars of our own !
Last week, our students hopped on the RER D train to venture out to Sarcelles, a small town in the northern suburbs of Paris. Our group entered a brightly-lit domed... keep reading
Playing Detective : Escape game in the Marais !
This past Thursday, our students took it to the bustling streets of the Marais to participate in an interactive escape game, called ClueZ. The Marais, or the “Marsh”, is a... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
Important note on dietary restrictions: Participants should be aware that cooking facilities and cooking courses do not accommodate special dietary needs.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Program Balance = $6,950
Total Fees = $6,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Program Balance = $6,950
Total Fees = $6,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
3 Meals/Day
Our Staff
Delphine Mauny
Center Director
A born-and-bred Parisian, Delphine has extensive experience in international education, having worked with American high school students, college students, and adults traveling to France.
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