Macaron Making Class Paris: Italian Meringue Technique

Master macarons in 2.5 hours, not watch someone else make them

A hands-on macaron-making class in Paris with a professional French pastry chef teaching the Italian meringue technique to groups of up to 6 participants. You'll learn to make the shells, judge doneness by touch, whip ganache filling, and choose from chocolate, pistachio, vanilla, raspberry and passionfruit garnishes. The class runs 2.5 hours near Sacré-Cœur, includes all equipment, aprons, tea and coffee, and you take your finished macarons home in a bag.

The Experience

You arrive at the workshop near Sacré-Cœur with a free afternoon and no pastry experience required. The chef walks you through the Italian meringue method step by step—the more technical approach, but the one that yields consistent results every time. You'll learn how to hold the whisk to get the silky ganache texture, how to macaroon your paste to get light, crunchy shells, and how to judge when they're done by touch instead of guessing. The class keeps groups small, capped at 6 people, so there's room to ask questions and watch the chef demonstrate without crowding.

The hands-on part takes up most of the 2.5 hours. You make the shells yourself, then move on to the ganache filling—the chef teaches you the one good way to hold the whisk, plus a few tricks that stop the filling from breaking. Once you've mastered the basics, you choose your garnish: chocolate ganache, pistachios, vanilla, raspberries, chocolate shavings or passionfruit. The workshop provides all the equipment, aprons and tools; you just bring your focus. Tea and coffee are on hand while you work.

At the end, you eat your macarons on the spot or pack them in a take-home bag to prolong the pleasure. The class is gluten-free, and you also walk away with an English-language recipe sheet and a copy of the chef's "Everyday Gourmet French Tarts" eBook as a 10th-anniversary gift. If you have allergies or dietary needs, flag them when you book so the chef can adjust.

What’s included

• Small group of up to 6 participants with a professional French pastry chef.
• all cooking equipment and aprons.
• tea and coffee.
• English-language recipe sheet.
• "Everyday Gourmet French Tarts" eBook.
• take-home bag for your finished macarons.
• gluten-free preparation.

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Patisserie a la Carte

Is this one for you?You're hands-on throughout, making every macaron yourself rather than watching a demonstration—the format suits anyone who wants to leave with a real skill and the confidence to repeat it at home. The small group size (maximum 6) means the chef has time to correct your technique and answer questions, which matters if you're learning a method that has only one right way to hold the whisk.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Italian meringue technique and why does it matter for macarons?

The Italian meringue method is more technical than other approaches, but it produces macarons with consistent results every time. You'll learn to whip the meringue properly, judge the paste texture by touch, and recognize when the shells are done without overbaking them—skills that make the difference between macarons that spread unevenly and ones that turn out perfect.

Do I make the macarons myself, or do I watch the chef make them?

You make them yourself. The class is hands-on from start to finish. For certain preparations like the ganache, you may work in pairs, but you're doing the work, not observing. The chef demonstrates each step and guides you through it.

What flavors and fillings can I choose for my macarons?

You can fill your macarons with chocolate ganache, pistachios, vanilla, raspberries, chocolate shavings or passionfruit. The chef teaches you how to make the ganache filling and shows you how to apply each garnish so your macarons look finished.

Is this class suitable for children, and do they need pastry experience?

The class is open to ages 12 and up; children must attend with a registered adult (one adult per child). No pastry experience is required—the chef teaches the technique from the ground up.

What's included in the class, and what do I need to bring?

The class includes all cooking equipment, aprons, tea and coffee, an English-language recipe sheet, and the "Everyday Gourmet French Tarts" eBook. You don't need to bring anything except yourself and any allergies or dietary requirements to mention when you book.