Who brought the French cuisine to the American public? It could be a question in Trivial Pursuit and cooking fanatics will probably already have shouted the answer by now. Of course, we’re talking about the one and only Julia Child. Her first cookbook, ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking, was an immediate success and the cooking shows that followed (amongst which ‘The French Chef’ is probably the best-known) showed America the French cuisine and everything that went with it. And how could one talk about French cooking without living there?
Inspired by her love for the French cuisine, Julia Child and her husband built La Pitchoune in the sixties. A small, extremely French-looking cottage, tucked away in Châteauneuf-Grasse in the South of France.
A place to relax and, above all, to cook. True fans will without a doubt be familiar with the cottage’s kitchen, which came back a lot throughout her books. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to cook a meal inside Julia Child’s own kitchen, this is your chance. Because yes, you can!
La Pitchoune
Indeed, La Pitchoune is listed on Airbnb. Looking at the pictures of the accommodation, it’s not difficult to imagine how Julia Child herself must have lived here. Although the kitchen might be a bit too overwhelming for most (aspiring) chefs these days, the massive amount of tools and rarities certainly sparks the imagination. What to cook first? Where to start looking? How to build such a collection for yourself? Questions for which you’ll have more than enough time when renting the cottage, although the swimming pool and terrace are certainly seducing as well.
However, renting La Pitchoune comes with a bit of a manual. Between April and June, as well as from September to November, the cottage is reserved for cookery classes. These take place in Child’s kitchen and are certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but at 1378 euros per person per day, they’re not cheap. Between June and August, you could book the cottage for a luxury gastronomy experience. For six people, one night, unlimited wine, chef-cooked meals and an on-site concierge, it’ll cost you 2362 euros. However, the cheapest rental option is to book the place somewhere between December and February, when you’ll pay about 807 euros per night for up to six people, with a four-night minimum. Clearly, not a bargain, but maybe worth your while if you’re a true Julia Child fan.
