The best courses to unlock skills

Just because we no longer go to school doesn’t mean we can’t learn anything anymore! To deliver the best version of yourself, boost your self-confidence, and simply have fun, dare to sign up for one (or more?) of these super popular courses before there are no spots left! From writing, dancing, wine tasting, pottery, makeup, floral arrangement, or even cooking classes, it’s up to you to get new skills to shine in society!

For whom? Lovers of words who pick up the pen to express themselves and escape into their own world, where written expression transforms feelings into extraordinary material. Daring to take out your notebooks, drafts of novels or short stories, is already a first step towards the profession of an author, which is also a profession of... daring!

The best courses: Les Mots, a writing school open to everyone, offers targeted workshops based on each person's expectations and inspiration. Les Mots is here to give a voice to all literary projects in development. Informal meetings are organized every week, online or at the school, to explain everything to you face-to-face and give you personal advice! You will then be able to choose the workshop that is 100% suited to your project. To learn to write your screenplay (15-session package at €3,500, from October 25, 2024, to November 25, 2025), the school offers a fantastic program: scriptwriting, dramaturgy, character studies, and proofreading. Hollywood will soon fight over your screenplay. If you dream of taking the mic to elaborate on subjects close to your heart, the Objective Podcast workshop (12-session package at €3,500 from November 11, 2024, to November 11, 2025) teaches you the basics of podcast editing and writing to captivate your audience. For those who want to perfect the art of writing (4-session package at €390 from October 28 to 31, 2024), we have the workshop for you! Les Mots will coach you through conceptualization, structuring, writing, and polishing your work to produce a refined version of your literary project. Molière would be proud of you.

Les Mots, 4 rue Dante, Paris 5th. Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.

And for the one-shot version of writing courses to become the next Zola, the Do It team has found workshops on Funbooker to do in an afternoon! Rush to Saint-Denis to follow Laurine's good advice, as she leads her masterclass of writing liberation based on a theme. You will individually write your inspired story and then share your production in a group. The collective sharing around each production should allow participants to leave with ideas for improving their manuscript. For a more dreamy workshop, Nathalie invites you to her writing studio in the 8th arrondissement to discover 3 Nunshen teas that will inspire you and introduce you to creative writing. During these 3 hours, you will be immersed in a creative atmosphere that will help unlock your writing thanks to the magic of the tea-dedicated space and the group's camaraderie.

For whom? All those who have rhythm in their veins, for whom emotion is expressed through the beauty of gestures, coordination, and flexibility. Also for hyperactive Parisians who want to let off steam in rhythm!

Salsa initiation: Do you dream of knowing how to dance salsa to impress the crowd at the next family wedding? Hurry and join the beginner’s class led by Vanessa. We absolutely love these Saturday classes in a small group (maximum 10 people!) to shake your hips to Latin music with your whole body!

Duo dancing yoga: Studio DTM offers a yoga-dance concept for a moment of mega-connection between parents and children. Through dance movements, yoga games, partner or group postures, acrobatic balancing, all around a story and especially with music, everyone expresses themselves fully and exercises in a fun way.

Dancing hip-hop as a family: We found the workshop not to be missed for your kids who love doing handstands all day long: a fantastic moment of discovering the basics of hip-hop and the wild rhythms of urban dances. We trust this workshop to help burn off the energy of hyperactive kids.

For whom? Sophisticated palates who believe that a good glass of wine is worth a velvet outfit. Perfect for enriching your tasting knowledge and showing off a bit at the restaurant by flaunting your expertise over the spirits menu.

Blending your bottle of red: Expand your knowledge of wine tasting and winemaking with the wine course offered by Pif à Papa. Play the chemist with large pipettes, all while tasting to control the production of the red wine that suits you. This workshop, led by a father-son duo, allows you to develop your 100% custom wine so you can serve your bottle to friends and swear you made it yourself!

Developing your own vintage: Blend grape varieties and create your unique vintage, accompanied by the team from the Domaine de La Bouche du Roi. The workshop starts with a visit to the Domaine, at the edge of the Versailles plain (its historical secrets will be revealed by the winemaker!). Then, it’s time to taste three signature wines of the vineyard, with an oenological explanation of their different characteristics in the mouth, so you can flaunt your wine knowledge in front of your friends. You'll also have a tasting focused on two specific grape varieties before you create your own vintage, complete with bottling and labeling of your bottle.

Wine and terroir course: We've all enjoyed good wines at family gatherings, during aperitifs, or while having a cozy moment. If you want to be unbeatable on the wines you sip, don't miss the courses offered by Marie and her team. The workshop starts with an explanation of the production processes and the different grape varieties. You’ll also discover the elements of the terroir that influence the vine. Tastings included: you'll be able to compare 7 wines from different terroirs to grasp the most subtle differences.

For whom? For unconditional fans of art therapy, and those who believe in manual creation to express their emotions.

Pottery wheel initiation: Take the time to disconnect for a few hours and plunge your hands into the clay! Nicolas and his team gently introduce you to the ancestral techniques of the potter to create your stoneware bowl. At the end of the workshop, you can choose the color (i.e., the glaze). Nicolas and his team will take care of the firing and glazing of your piece, which you’ll be able to pick up 30 days later to adorn your bookshelf or coffee table!

Workshop to create your duo of bowls: To impress your guests with bowls made by your own hands, rush to the workshop offered by Pierre-Antoine. Starting with noble clay, stoneware, you will shape your duo of bowls, gradually refining them and adding details you like (bowl foot, original pleated shape, handle...). Then, it's time to add color to perfect your creations! Pierre-Antoine and his team will then handle both firings and the glazing according to your choice of colors and shapes. You can pick up your pieces a month later!

Introduction to the art of kintsugi: Push open the door to Michiyo’s workshop to discover the art of kintsugi! This Japanese technique involves enhancing "wounds" with natural lacquer and gold, silver, or colored lacquer powder. Like a landscape, the marks on repaired objects tell a story, making them particularly precious: poetic, right? You can either choose a piece from Michiyo’s collection or bring your broken item to enhance and bring back to life. In this workshop, Michiyo offers a simplified version of kintsugi using resin glue and brass. But beware: the pieces made are not suitable for food use!

For whom? Cosmetic enthusiasts, for whom beauty is revealed with a stroke of an eyebrow pencil, because for bad days, there's always lipstick.

Founded by Dany Sanz in 2002, the Make Up For Ever Academy, which has been teaching the art of makeup and developing the expertise of future makeup artists for 20 years, now offers a wide range of courses for perfecting your skills. From beauty and glam classes (€1,500 for five days) to day and evening self-makeup courses (€500 for two days), and a training focused on perfect complexion (€400 for two days), these programs offer the opportunity to learn the best techniques to reproduce at home!

Make Up Forever Academy. 110 avenue Victor Hugo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt.

And for the soft version, we suggest two masterclasses to book for makeup lessons in a relaxed atmosphere. Do you dream of learning to use fabulous products (with compositions up to 98% natural ingredients)? Rush to book a makeup course by a professional in the 5th arrondissement to immerse yourself in the art of makeup under the expert eye of the teacher! The courses are adapted to your level and teach you basic techniques up to the most glam looks. The goal of the course? Self-makeup, so you leave knowing how to highlight yourself for the future! The best part? You get 15% off the entire shop on the day of your activity! For more sophisticated makeup lessons, we’ve found a customized makeup course where you’ll learn how to enhance yourself with simple techniques adapted to your morphology and color scheme. If you choose the Premium course, the professionals can help you sort through your makeup bag and make a list of missing products that are 100% suited to your routine. The "Sophisticated" option teaches glamorous evening makeup. The "Artistic" makeup courses push you to reveal your talents for drag queen makeup, carnival, or even cosplay.

For whom? For those who want to brighten up their autumn with delicate colors and scents, floral arrangement classes are the perfect activity.

Make your own dried flower crown: Want to go for a bucolic vibe with a dried flower crown? Kimiko, passionate about 100% natural and homemade products, offers a DIY workshop to create your personalized dried flower crown! In this ultra-hands-on course, the specialist will share her passion for creating wearable floral accessories from dried and preserved flowers! You'll have the freedom to choose your flowers and will even get a snack during the creative workshop. You’ll go home with your work of art and stunning photos of yourself in the artistic process.

Create a flower frame: Calling all those who kept a herbarium during childhood, we’ve got the floristry course for you! Kimiko offers another creative adventure on the theme of flowers. After carefully selecting your favorite blooms, you’ll compose a unique floral frame reflecting your desires. Think of a framed photo, but instead, it’s a 3D creation of flowers (dried, of course) that you’ve selected. This hands-on course is perfect for bringing to life a beautiful floral creation that will add a delicate and natural touch to your home. You’ll leave with your absolutely unique piece, made to your taste, and something you'll be proud to show off to your guests.

Create a dried flower cloche: We’ve all dreamed of the enchanted rose under glass from Beauty and the Beast. So, for a touch of floral magic, head to Mimi’s workshop to create your own dried flower bouquet under a glass dome. You’ll start by choosing your favorite flowers from a colorful selection suggested by the florist. Each variety adds a unique touch to your arrangement, and you’ll pick the ones that best match your taste and the ambiance you want to create. With Mimi’s expert guidance, you'll assemble your floral cloche. She’ll teach you how to arrange and secure the flowers, sharing her tips for creating a harmonious piece that highlights each element. You'll leave with an original floral piece, reflecting your style and creativity!

For whom: The gourmet chefs, foodies, and anyone who doesn’t hold back when it comes to filling their plate.

The Alain Ducasse cooking school brings together the essentials of culinary arts in several lessons. No kidding, you’ll find in these classes the signature recipes from the repertoire of the world’s most Michelin-starred chef’s top Parisian restaurants! Additionally, you’ll be inspired to perfect your sauces and stocks, enhancing your learning with a few chef’s tricks. The best part? The Ducasse School also offers cooking classes for kids and teens!

Alain Ducasse Cooking School, 64 rue du Ranelagh Paris 16th, open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

And for a slightly less intense and more homemade version, we offer you a seasonal cooking class. Tired of burning your veggies? Join this cooking workshop led by Sandrine, who will guide you in preparing a starter, a main course, and a dessert (all seasonal!). The professional chef will share tips, tricks, and the essential techniques for a successful dish, inspiring you to get back in the kitchen. Your hard work is well rewarded: the class ends with a tasting of your creations, paired with red or white wine!

And if you’re nostalgic for your vacation on the Amalfi Coast, let us take you on a 100% Italian meal experience. The goal: make dishes that have everyone saying mamma mia! In this comprehensive half-day workshop, you’ll dive into the world of Italian cuisine with Claudio, an Italian chef. He will explain how to balance flavors, the tradition of fresh pasta, and the origin and production of the ingredients you’ll be using. Then, you’ll get hands-on learning to make your own tagliatelle! Knead the dough, shape the pasta, find the right thickness, cut the strips, and voila! The best part? You’ll also make your tiramisu using a technique that allows you to eat it right away!

Also, check out the best arty experiences under €50 and the best pastry courses.