Made in Paris: Six creative workshops anyone can do

Paris is a famous, creative melting pot, which boasts a remarkable selection of artisans working at the top of their game. And today, we’re reflecting on fun, unique workshops offered by these experts, which are personalised and special and feel like a great new way to experience Paris. There’s a huge range of these creative activities to choose from, and in this week’s podcast we focus on stonemasonry and hat-making.

Keep scrolling, however, for a total of six great workshops in Paris that we love and recommend.

The podcast episode

Listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find the episode on iTunes or Spotify or via my website here. At the end of the episode, you’ll hear Marie Segura, from My Private Paris, discussing how best to visit Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise, once home to Monet and Van Gogh, respectively.

1. Stonemasonry

Last week the Earful Tower team spent a morning carving limestone with last week’s guest, stonemason Grégory Philippe, in an ancient street in the Marais. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and leaving with your own lifelong memento feels really special. As you might expect, this is a physically-involved experience, and Grégory provides a lot of support and assistance, but seeing the end results is worth the effort. Address: 12 Rue du Prévôt, 75004.

2. Hat-making

Lina has worked in and around fashion for a long time and had this millinery workshop on her bucket list for a while. The workshops can be facilitated in French or English and, as before, you walk away with a tangible memento of your hard work. And let me tell you, it is hard work. Lots of steam, hammering nails and elbow grease are involved, but the opportunity to unleash your individual creative expression is exceptional. Address: 25 Rue de Turbigo, 75002.

3. Distill your own gin

La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec is a cool, new micro-distillery located on a quiet street mere steps from the Louvre museum in the 1st arrondissement. The team here, including Charlotte Buisson Dackow (who we spoke to on a previous podcast episode), offers refreshingly original gin-making workshops in a spectacular setting. There’s a whole wall of ingredients in jars that you use to make your own flavour, and you walk away with your own bottle of gin at the end.

Providing excellent quality gin, as well as tastings, it’s clear that Charlotte and her colleagues take gin seriously. Of course, wine is the dominant French beverage, but, as Charlotte explains, things are changing. “I think [gin] is taking over the world! Often French people are set in their ways, so we are a little behind everywhere else, but it’s starting here in France. I think it’s really exciting.” Address: 52 Rue de l’Arbre Sec, 75001

When I met with Charlotte she showed me around the beautiful distillery, before we went on a discovery walk of the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Watch that video below.

Here’s more to discover about the 1st arrondissement.

4) Layer your own mille feuille

The Earful Tower team took a class preparing this iconic dessert at Cook’n With Class and we made an entire podcast episode about it, which included some pastry and chocolate tips from chef Christian. Not only are you making a delicious dessert, steeped in Napoleonic history, but it’s in a charming Parisian cookery school located in Montmartre. If mille feuille isn’t your thing, they also offer macarons or croissants. Book a class and unleash your inner Julia Child. Address: 6 Rue Baudelique, 75018.

Listen to the patisserie-themed podcast episode below.

Here’s more to discover in the 18th arrondissement.

5) Make your own chocolate

Nestled within the beautiful archways of the Viaduc des Arts, Atelier C is a haven for chocoholics. Atelier C has become a must-visit spot for chocolate lovers in Paris, and it’s no surprise why. The shop’s flavour combinations and attention to detail make for a memorable snack. There’s a big table in the centre for the classes, where, in three hours, you’ll turn cocoa beans into bars of chocolate to take home. Address: 123 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012. Enjoy finding out what this place is like by listening to the podcast we made about Atelier C.

Listen to the podcast episode below for some tasty chocolate treats.

There’s more to discover in the 12th arrondissement.

6) Zinc and slate-making workshops

At 24 Rue Saint Paul, you’ll find Constance Allard, who runs Les Toits Parisiens, which offers zinc and slate-making workshops. Zinc is an integral part of life in Paris – if you’ve ever looked closely at a Parisian rooftop there is so much intricate detail, it’s not just zinc panels laid one over the other. There are the gutters, eaves, joints, gables, ridges, vents, and of course, decorative ornaments. I was lucky enough to get an up close look at the intensive, and creative, process involved in maintaining these roofs when I interviewed a Parisian roofer, which is as fun as it sounds, really! Address: 24 Rue Saint Paul, 75004

Listen to the podcast episode below and hear my conversations with an authentic Parisian roofer, as well as Constance, who runs the workshops.

Here’s more to discover in the 4th arrondissement.

That’s all for now. Enjoy your creative endeavours next time you’re in Paris.

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