Macarons meet Emily in Paris. This workshop in the actual Le 80 studio space leans hard into the show’s look and feel, while you learn real pastry technique from an English-speaking chef. I especially like the option to make the official Emily lavender macaron flavor, plus the chance to add edible art on top with branded stencils.

I love two parts most: the step-by-step coaching that helps even first-timers end up with great shells, and the keepsakes that make it feel like more than a one-off sugar hit. You get a branded workshop apron, a takeaway box, and a personalized Polaroid framed for your photos.

One thing to plan for: they keep a strict start time, and late arrivals can’t be accepted. If you tend to run behind in Paris, build in extra buffer.

Key things to know before you go

• Lavender is the star flavor. Pick classic vanilla or the Emily-themed lavender flavor.
• You decorate like it’s a show prop. Color choices, edible dust, and brand stencils are part of the process.
• You get a chef-led method, not just a demo. The class walks you through each step so your macarons can actually work.
• Kir Royale is included. You’ll toast at the end with Emily’s favorite-style cocktail.
• Souvenirs come with the lesson. Take home a tote, a Polaroid in an Emily frame, and a takeaway box of what you made.

Where the magic happens: finding Le 80 by Lili & Clo

This class meets at Le 80 by Lili & Clo, 80 rue de Cléry (75002 Paris). Look for the red storefront with LE 80 written in white. It’s in a lively central neighborhood, and the nearest metro is Sentier (Line 3), about a 3-minute walk.

You should arrive a few minutes early and be ready for things to start right on time. In places like this, the schedule is tight because the baked goods need to happen in sequence (and because everyone’s macarons are timing-dependent). If you’re fashionably late in normal life, this is one moment where you’ll want to be early.

150 minutes of hands-on macaron-making (not just watching)

The core of the experience is simple: you make macarons yourself. The workshop runs about 150 minutes, which is long enough for real hands-on work and time for your macarons to bake and be boxed up.

You’ll start by choosing from a selection of colors and two flavors:

• classic vanilla
• lavender, the official Emily in Paris macaron flavor

From there, expect the classic macaron workflow: mixing, piping, and then decorating. The important part isn’t the “Emily” theme. It’s that you’re learning how to execute a fussy technique with guidance at each stage, so you’re not stuck guessing what the batter should look like.

Picking flavors and colors: making them look like Emily’s Paris

The show-inspired twist is baked right in. You choose the colors you want, and you’ll use stencils and edible dust to turn plain shells into little edible artworks.

This matters more than it sounds. Macarons can be intimidating because so much goes wrong in tiny ways—texture, consistency, and piping details. The colored, themed decoration helps you focus on what you can control: your piping shape and your finishing details. Even if your first few shells are imperfect, the decoration layer makes your set look intentional and Parisian.

And yes, lavender is the headline here. If you’re a fan of lavender desserts (or curious), this flavor gives the workshop its clear identity. If you’re not a lavender person, the vanilla option is a safe, classic balance.

The chef-led steps that make first-timers succeed

This is a chef-run workshop, led by an English-speaking pastry professional. The tone from instructors in similar sessions is consistent: they explain each step clearly, and they stay patient while you copy the technique.

I like that the process isn’t framed as you being “good at baking” already. It’s framed as you learning a method. And since macarons demand precision, that guidance is the difference between an activity that’s fun and an activity that actually teaches you something you can repeat later.

One detail I’d keep in mind: macaron prep often involves both shared and individual tasks. In past classes, some prep elements like components for the filling may happen as a group, while your own batch handling—like color mixing and piping—stays personal. You’ll still get a clear view of what’s happening, and you’ll still do the hands-on parts that matter.

When your macarons bake: the Emily touch while you wait

Macarons need waiting time. In most classes, that’s the boring part. Here, it’s part of the experience.

While your shells bake, you’ll get show-themed ambience: an Emily in Paris playlist and fun conversation cards tied to the series. This is a smart move for a workshop like this. It turns the waiting period into “stay engaged” time, rather than “sit awkwardly and hope they’re done soon.”

It also helps if you’re traveling solo or you want a relaxed social rhythm. The cards and music do some of the heavy lifting for conversation without turning the session into an awkward meet-and-greet.

Decorating with stencils and edible dust (where your set becomes art)

The most fun part, visually, is the finishing. You’ll paint your macarons with colorful edible dust using brand stencils. It’s messy in a controlled way, which is exactly how you want it when you’re learning something delicate.

This is also where the workshop goes from a cooking class to an Emily in Paris souvenir factory—without feeling like a gimmick. The stencils give you a design structure. Your job is to apply the edible dust so it lands evenly and doesn’t smear.

Practical tip: keep your hand steady and go light. Edible dust can look dramatic even in small amounts, and a lighter application helps the design stay crisp on the shell.

The Kir Royale moment: your included toast after the work

Once you’ve made your macarons and finished the decorating, the workshop ends with a cocktail: Kir Royale—included with your ticket. It’s Emily-style fun, and it’s a nice reward after you’ve been focused for a couple of hours.

If you’ve ever taken a cooking class where everyone stands around waiting for food, this is the opposite. You do the work first, then you toast. It makes the end feel earned.

Also, since the cocktail is included, you don’t have to figure out a separate plan for drinks near the venue. That saves time and avoids the common Paris problem of hunting for something open and not ridiculously expensive when you’re already hungry.

What you take home: box of macarons plus Emily keepsakes

The workshop includes a takeaway box so you can bring your macarons home. That’s a big deal because macarons are fragile. You want the packaging sorted, and you want a clean handoff to your own kitchen or hotel room.

You also take home exclusive Emily in Paris items:

• an Emily-branded tote bag
• a personalized Polaroid photo with an Emily frame
• an apron that’s for workshop use

This combination matters for value. The food is the “lesson.” The souvenirs are the “memory.” Most classes give you one or the other. Here you get both.

And the Polaroid angle is a clever fit for the setting. Paris is full of photos where nothing feels special. A framed Polaroid from the workshop gives you a quick memento you’ll actually want to keep.

Price and value: is $134 worth it?

At $134 per person for a 150-minute chef-led workshop, you’re paying for more than sugar.

You’re buying:

• hands-on instruction from a pastry chef
• the ingredients and tools needed to make macarons
• the included cocktail (Kir Royale)
• and multiple branded take-home items (tote, Polaroid, framed photo)
• plus a takeaway box so your macarons travel safely

If your goal is only to eat a macaron, you can do that cheaper in Paris. But if your goal is to learn a technique, make something you can repeat, and leave with built-in keepsakes, this price starts to make sense. You’re getting a structured experience with a chef, a theme done in a tangible way, and a finished product that’s ready to pack.

The main “value risk” isn’t quality—it’s timing. If you’re the type who plans only one or two activities per day and you hate longer blocks, 150 minutes might feel like a chunk. If you’re open to a full workshop session, the package fits well.

Who this workshop is best for

This fits a few types of travelers really well:

• Couples and date-night planners: you’ll do a hands-on shared activity, get a toast, and go home with something photogenic.
• Families: it has worked well in family groups, including sessions with kids (one example included an 11-year-old). The structure and guidance make it doable.
• Solo travelers: the atmosphere (playlist plus conversation cards) helps you feel part of the group without forcing conversation all the time.
• Macaron first-timers: instructors are set up to explain the process in clear steps, so you’re not left flailing at stage one.

If you’re already a serious pâtisserie nerd, you might still enjoy the experience, especially for the themed stenciling and the social format. But if you’re expecting a lab-like, ultra-technical masterclass, the primary value here is the guided, friendly workshop experience rather than deep theory.

Should you book it? My practical take

If you want a Paris activity that’s hands-on, teachable, and themed in a way that leads to real results, I think you should book it. You’ll get both outcomes people often miss: you make macarons with guidance, and you also leave with souvenirs that feel tied to the moment, not generic gift-shop stuff.

Before you confirm, check your schedule for the start time. Plan to arrive early, because late arrivals can’t be accepted. If you do that, this is one of the more fun, structured ways to spend an afternoon in Paris without it feeling like you’re just consuming the city.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Emily in Paris macaron workshop?

The workshop meets at Le 80 by Lili & Clo, 80 rue de Cléry, 75002 Paris. The nearest metro is Sentier (Line 3), about a 3-minute walk. Look for the red storefront with LE 80 written in white.

How long is the macaron-making workshop?

The experience lasts about 150 minutes.

What is included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the macaron-making workshop, an expert pastry chef, a lavender Kir Royale cocktail, an Emily in Paris branded apron (for workshop use), a takeaway box, a stylish Emily in Paris tote bag, and a personalized Polaroid photo with an Emily in Paris frame.

Are food and drinks allowed during the workshop?

Food and drinks are not allowed. You’ll have the included cocktail as part of the experience, but you shouldn’t bring outside food or drinks.

What flavors do you get to make?

You’ll make macarons in two signature flavors: classic vanilla and lavender, which is the official Emily in Paris flavor.

Is the workshop in English and is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The host or greeter is English, and the activity is wheelchair accessible.