La Pitchoune is a small stucco house that Julia Child and her husband,

Paul Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) * Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

, built in the Provençal village of

Plascassier Plascassier is located between Valbonne (2.8 km) and Grasse (7 km) and only 31 km away from Nice airport. Although bordered by several communes—Valbonne, Opio, Mouans-Sartoux and Châteauneuf-de-Grasse—it falls under the juri ...

in France in the early 1960s. La Pitchoune is a Provençal expression for "the little one", deriving from the

Occitan Occitan may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the Occitania territory in parts of France, Italy, Monaco and Spain. * Something of, from, or related to the Occitania administrative region of France. * Occitan language, spoken in parts o ...

word ''pichon''. The cottage was built on property belonging to

Simone Beck Simone "Simca" Beck (7 July 1904 – 20 December 1991) was a French cookbook writer and cooking teacher who, along with colleagues Julia Child and Louisette Bertholle, played a significant role in the introduction of French cooking technique ...

and her husband Jean Fischbacher with a "handshake" promise they would turn it over to the Fischbachers when they finished their use. The Childs began construction in 1963 and occupied the property shortly thereafter. "La Pitchoune" was often lovingly shortened to "La Peetch", and the Childs visited the property yearly. Here they entertained the culinary likes of

James Beard James Andrews Beard (May 5, 1903 – January 23, 1985) was an American chef, cookbook author, teacher and television personality. He pioneered television cooking shows, taught at The James Beard Cooking School in New York City and Seaside, ...

and M. F. K. Fisher. Following the deterioration of Paul's health and the death of long-time friend

in December 1991, Julia relinquished the property in June 1992. She later recalled that La Pitchoune had lost its "raison d’être" without Paul or Simone and had no regrets giving up the property.

Other residents and usage

In 1993, La Pitchoune became home to the culinary school 'Cooking with Friends in France' run by American Kathie Alex. Alex offered 6-day courses for up to six people. Alex studied under

and worked at the nearby Moulin de Mougins. Child once wrote to Alex: “I’m counting on you to teach Americans about butter and cream!” Alex closed the school in 2015, and La Pitchoune was put on the public market. Makenna Held, who, like Child, attended Smith College, purchased the house with investors and immediately opened it to the public for vacation rentals. La Pitchoune is the home to the Courageous Cooking School, a five-night six-day cooking experience located on the grounds.

References

{{coord missing, France Houses in Alpes-Maritimes