How to Spend the Perfect Morning in Paris: A Croissant Baking Class in the Latin Quarter
Learn to make real French croissants a two-minute walk from Notre-Dame - then explore one of the oldest, most beautiful neighbourhoods in Paris. Here's how to turn a baking class into an unforgettable Parisian morning.
There's a particular kind of magic to a Paris morning: the smell of butter and warm dough, the light on the Seine, the hush of the Latin Quarter before the crowds arrive. At Maison Fleuret, you can have all of it in a single morning - first with your hands in the dough at our baking school, then wandering the medieval streets just outside our door.
Here's exactly how to plan it.
Start with a hands-on croissant baking class
Our Croissant Baking Class is a fully hands-on experience led by a professional French pastry chef. You won't just watch - you'll laminate the dough, learn the folds that create those signature airy layers, shape your own croissants, and take home what you make.
A few things that make it worth your morning:
- It's beginner-friendly. No experience needed - the chef guides you through every step.
- It's taught in English (and French), so international visitors feel completely at ease.
- The class runs about 2.5 hours and starts at 9 am, leaving your whole afternoon free.
- Groups are small - 8 to 10 people - so you get real attention.
Book your spot: classes fill quickly, especially in high season. Reserve the Croissant Baking Class here →
The studio is at 3 rue des Trois-Portes, 75005 Paris - in the heart of the Latin Quarter, just across the Seine from Notre-Dame. Which is exactly why the morning doesn't have to end when class does.
Then explore the Latin Quarter - all on foot
Everything below is within a short, easy walk of the studio. No metro required.
Notre-Dame Cathedral - just across the river
Step out of class and you're a two-minute walk from one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Cross the Pont au Double and you're on the Île de la Cité, standing before Notre-Dame - now reopened after its restoration. Even if you don't go inside, the view from the riverbank with a warm croissant in hand is hard to beat.
Shakespeare and Company - the legendary bookshop
Practically next door, on rue de la Bûcherie, sits Shakespeare and Company, the famous English-language bookshop that has drawn writers and readers for a century. Browse the creaking shelves, then grab a coffee at the café next door.
Square René-Viviani and the oldest tree in Paris
Tucked beside the tiny church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, this quiet little garden is home to what's said to be the oldest tree in Paris, planted in the early 1600s. It's the perfect spot to sit for a few minutes and eat what you baked.
Musée de Cluny - the Middle Ages up close
A short stroll away, the Musée de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) houses the extraordinary Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and the ruins of Roman baths. A calm, atmospheric stop away from the crowds.
Rue Mouffetard - a market street to remember
If you're still hungry (or curious), wander up toward rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest market streets in Paris, lined with cheesemongers, bakeries, cafés and produce stalls. It's the Latin Quarter at its most everyday and delicious.
The Panthéon and the Sorbonne
A little further uphill, you'll find the grand dome of the Panthéon, resting place of Voltaire, Rousseau and Marie Curie, and the historic buildings of the Sorbonne - the beating heart of the student quarter that gives the neighbourhood its name.
A simple morning itinerary
If you like a plan, here's an easy one:
- 9 am - Croissant Baking Class at Maison Fleuret
- 11:30 am - Cross to Notre-Dame and the Seine
- Browse Shakespeare and Company
- Rest in Square René-Viviani with your croissants
- Lunch or a wander up rue Mouffetard
You'll have baked real French pastry and seen the best of one of Paris's most storied neighbourhoods - all before lunch.
Practical information
- Where: Maison Fleuret, 3 rue des Trois-Portes, 75005 Paris
- Nearest metro: Maubert-Mutualité (line 10), Cluny–La Sorbonne (line 10), Saint-Michel (line 4)
- Best for: couples, families, solo travellers, food lovers, first-time visitors to Paris
- Booking: Croissant Baking Class →
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take a croissant baking class in Paris? Maison Fleuret runs hands-on croissant baking classes at 3 rue des Trois-Portes in the 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter), a two-minute walk from Notre-Dame. Classes are led by a professional pastry chef and taught in English and French.
Do I need any baking experience? No. The croissant class is designed for complete beginners. A professional chef guides you through every step, from laminating the dough to shaping and baking.
How long is the croissant baking class? The class lasts about 2,5 hours. It typically starts at 9 am, leaving your afternoon free to explore the neighbourhood.
Is the class taught in English? Yes. Classes are taught in both English and French, so international visitors are fully comfortable.
What can I do near Maison Fleuret after the class? The studio is in the Latin Quarter, within walking distance of Notre-Dame, Shakespeare and Company, the Musée de Cluny, rue Mouffetard, the Panthéon and the Sorbonne, all reachable on foot.
Can I take my croissants home? Yes — you take home the croissants you make in class.
Ready to bake? Reserve your Croissant Baking Class at Maison Fleuret →