France Culinary Schools

Those truly devoted to the art of French cuisine should be prepared to shell out extra cash for semester- or year-long programs in the world’s culinary capital. For more intimate courses based on farms and in homes—often instructed by well-known chefs or food critics—see out www.cookingschools.com.

Cordon Bleu Paris Culinary Arts Institute, 8 rue Léon Delhomme, 75015 Paris (☎01 53 68 22 50; www.cordonbleu.edu). The crème de la crème of French cooking schools. Programs range from the decadent Grand Diplôme (€35,955) to 2 hr. demonstrations on specific culinary themes (€33-50).
Eurolingua Institute, 5 rue Henri Guinier, 34000 Montpellier (☎04 67 15 04 73; www.eurolingua.com/Work_Experience(France).htm). Language school that offers internships in hotel work and culinary arts in Montpellier, Nice, and Martinique. Intermediate French level required. Tuition ranges from €750 for 3 months to €1350 for 1 year; full-time work pays €200 per month.
Gastronomicom: French Language and Gastronomy School, Résidence St-Loup, 1 av. des Soldats, 34300 Cap d’Agde (☎06 71 72 28 13; www.gastronomicom.fr). Located in a seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast, this school offers programs of study for students age 18-60, including short programs in chocolate and sugar decoration. 1-, 3-, and 7-month courses (€2100/4900/5500) in cooking, wine appreciation, pastry decoration, and intensive French. All plans of study include lectures and free tastings. 7-month course includes 4-month internship. €150 enrollment fee.
Grande École des Arts Culinaires et de l’Hôtellerie de Lyon (Lyon Culinary Arts and Hotel Management School), Château du Vivier, BP 25, 69131 Ecully Cedex, Lyon (☎04 72 18 02 20; www.each-lyon.com). Premier school affiliated with world-famous chef Paul Bocuse, located in France’s capital city of haute cuisine. 6- and 12-week summer courses in English and French for amateurs (€3700-6700).
The International Kitchen, 330 N. Wabash Av., Ste. 2613, Chicago, IL 60611, USA (☎+1-800-945-8606 or 312-467-0560; www.theinternationalkitchen.com). Offers 2- to 8-night “cooking vacations” with famous chefs in Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, Paris, Provence, the Côte d’Azur, and the southwest (US$695-3275). Also offers a 1-day course in the Rhône-Alpes, Paris, Provence, and the Côte d’Azur (US$170-300), as well as wine- and chocolate-tastings (US$95-160).