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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Caroline

Paris, France

USD
$275-$315 per person

French Cooking Class & Château Tour near Paris

Host offerings
  • Rural farmhouse
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Caroline

Caroline is a warm and hospitable host who is living her best life in her dream house, a lovely farmhouse surrounded by gardens and chickens in Maincy, a charming little French village. Maincy is a 45-min drive southeast of Paris. A mother of four, Caroline was once the mayor of her village Champdeuil! Caroline enjoys entertaining and often hosts friends and family at home. She enjoys cooking and sharing food with people because it is her way to express her love and looks forward to hosting guests for a French countryside experience. Your private French food experience takes place in Caroline's farmhouse and ends with a quick tour of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, her friend's chateau, one of the biggest reasons to visit Maincy. A stunning landmark with a fascinating history, the chateau is located in Maincy, a 25-min train ride away from Paris.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Traveling from Paris by train? Melun is approximately a 25-minute direct train ride from Paris Gare de Lyon. For groups of up to 3 guests, Caroline can pick you up from Melun train station and drop you back there after your experience with advance notice. Alternatively, meet her directly at the entrance to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Your experience includes a visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a magnificent 17th-century château located in Maincy. It is the largest private estate listed as a historical monument in France, with a magnificent French formal garden that inspired Versailles. Depending on the day, your château visit may take place before or after your cooking experience. At Caroline's farmhouse, just a 5-minute drive from the château, enjoy a coffee and snack before beginning your culinary experience. Walk through her garden (weather permitting) and discuss the seasonal menu for the day. Then step into Caroline's traditional French kitchen for a private, hands-on French cooking class near Paris. You might sauté spinach for a roulade or whisk an aioli, the key to a velvety monkfish bourride (an iconic French fish stew), prepare a delicious vegetable side, and learn techniques involved in making a French meal. During your approximately 2-hour French cooking class, you will learn to prepare 2–3 seasonal French dishes from scratch. After cooking, sit down at the table with Caroline and enjoy the authentic French meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine. Caroline will accompany you on a short tour of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, either before or after your cooking and dining experience. Your meal may also include dishes Caroline has prepared in advance. You may be joined by one of Caroline's friends or children during your experience.

Notes: Your experience includes pick up and drop off from the Melun train station, which is a 25-min train ride from Paris. Please include your arrival time in the notes field when making your booking or email Caroline directly and let her know.
Caroline is typically not available to host on weekends but can do so on occasion. Please try to request bookings during weekdays if possible for a better chance of confirmation.

Languages spoken: English, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Starter: Spinach and salmon roulette or foie gras with bread and fig jam
  • Main: Monkfish bourride, Cabillaud (cod) fillets, or Veal with carrot tagliatelle cooked in a white wine sauce
  • Dessert: Rum baba, tarte tatin or chocolate mousse
  • Local French cheese
  • French wine and coffee

Traveler reviews

5.0 (7)
Caroline was a gracious host, who shared her deep knowledge of her home, village and the nearby Chateaux. We sampled local cheeses that we could never get back home, and helped prepare a delicious meal. This experience, outside the hustle and bustle of Paris, is one that we will never forget.
- matthew May 16, 2026
Caroline was absolutely lovely and provided a wonderful full day experience that really allowed us to soak in the French culture and cuisine! The food was delicious, we got a great tour of the cathedral in her town and we got to see the magical lights of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte! 10/10!
- Elizabeth January 04, 2026
We had so much fun with Caroline, and learned so much! It was such a wonderful experience that we will cherish forever!
- Chelsey November 13, 2025
This is in a beautiful quaint town not far outside Paris. You can take the train but we drove and it was a beautiful scenic drive. Caroline has a lovely interesting home and gardens and is the consummate host. The food was absolutely delicious. We learned a lot and had a joyous day. We will go back next time in Paris as we felt we were leaving a friend’s home.
- Mary March 29, 2025
A once in a lifetime experience! Caroline is most welcoming and a truly good soul! A very special experience! Caroline takes care of you and makes you feel at home while giving you memories for a lifetime! Caroline met us a the train & provided a personalized tour & cooking experience in her home. She then arranged an amazing tour of the Castle! It was like visiting a relative on holiday! She makes you feel comfortable, takes care of you while teaching you the French life and history!
- 796bryan December 07, 2024
Read More

Caroline

$275-$315 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $315 $275
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $315 $275
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-3:00pm

Meet Caroline

Caroline is a warm and hospitable host who is living her best life in her dream house, a lovely farmhouse surrounded by gardens and chickens in Maincy, a charming little French village. Maincy is a 45-min drive southeast of Paris. A mother of four, Caroline was once the mayor of her village Champdeuil! Caroline enjoys entertaining and often hosts friends and family at home. She enjoys cooking and sharing food with people because it is her way to express her love and looks forward to hosting guests for a French countryside experience. Your private French food experience takes place in Caroline's farmhouse and ends with a quick tour of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, her friend's chateau, one of the biggest reasons to visit Maincy. A stunning landmark with a fascinating history, the chateau is located in Maincy, a 25-min train ride away from Paris.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Traveling from Paris by train? Melun is approximately a 25-minute direct train ride from Paris Gare de Lyon. For groups of up to 3 guests, Caroline can pick you up from Melun train station and drop you back there after your experience with advance notice. Alternatively, meet her directly at the entrance to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Your experience includes a visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a magnificent 17th-century château located in Maincy. It is the largest private estate listed as a historical monument in France, with a magnificent French formal garden that inspired Versailles. Depending on the day, your château visit may take place before or after your cooking experience. At Caroline's farmhouse, just a 5-minute drive from the château, enjoy a coffee and snack before beginning your culinary experience. Walk through her garden (weather permitting) and discuss the seasonal menu for the day. Then step into Caroline's traditional French kitchen for a private, hands-on French cooking class near Paris. You might sauté spinach for a roulade or whisk an aioli, the key to a velvety monkfish bourride (an iconic French fish stew), prepare a delicious vegetable side, and learn techniques involved in making a French meal. During your approximately 2-hour French cooking class, you will learn to prepare 2–3 seasonal French dishes from scratch. After cooking, sit down at the table with Caroline and enjoy the authentic French meal you helped prepare, paired with local wine. Caroline will accompany you on a short tour of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, either before or after your cooking and dining experience. Your meal may also include dishes Caroline has prepared in advance. You may be joined by one of Caroline's friends or children during your experience.

Notes: Your experience includes pick up and drop off from the Melun train station, which is a 25-min train ride from Paris. Please include your arrival time in the notes field when making your booking or email Caroline directly and let her know.
Caroline is typically not available to host on weekends but can do so on occasion. Please try to request bookings during weekdays if possible for a better chance of confirmation.

Languages spoken: English, French

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Starter: Spinach and salmon roulette or foie gras with bread and fig jam
  • Main: Monkfish bourride, Cabillaud (cod) fillets, or Veal with carrot tagliatelle cooked in a white wine sauce
  • Dessert: Rum baba, tarte tatin or chocolate mousse
  • Local French cheese
  • French wine and coffee

Traveler reviews

5.0 (7)
Caroline was a gracious host, who shared her deep knowledge of her home, village and the nearby Chateaux. We sampled local cheeses that we could never get back home, and helped prepare a delicious meal. This experience, outside the hustle and bustle of Paris, is one that we will never forget.
- matthew May 16, 2026
Caroline was absolutely lovely and provided a wonderful full day experience that really allowed us to soak in the French culture and cuisine! The food was delicious, we got a great tour of the cathedral in her town and we got to see the magical lights of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte! 10/10!
- Elizabeth January 04, 2026
We had so much fun with Caroline, and learned so much! It was such a wonderful experience that we will cherish forever!
- Chelsey November 13, 2025
This is in a beautiful quaint town not far outside Paris. You can take the train but we drove and it was a beautiful scenic drive. Caroline has a lovely interesting home and gardens and is the consummate host. The food was absolutely delicious. We learned a lot and had a joyous day. We will go back next time in Paris as we felt we were leaving a friend’s home.
- Mary March 29, 2025
A once in a lifetime experience! Caroline is most welcoming and a truly good soul! A very special experience! Caroline takes care of you and makes you feel at home while giving you memories for a lifetime! Caroline met us a the train & provided a personalized tour & cooking experience in her home. She then arranged an amazing tour of the Castle! It was like visiting a relative on holiday! She makes you feel comfortable, takes care of you while teaching you the French life and history!
- 796bryan December 07, 2024
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $315 $275
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $315 $275
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-3:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.