Julia Child’s Beautiful Home in Valbonne, France

Bastide du Vignal is a beautiful holiday villa in the South of France, tucked away on a quiet winding country road between the charming villages of Valbonne and Grasse, just north of Cannes. This 18th century bastide has been lovingly restored by the current owners while still maintaining its original charm and history.

The estate was owned by Simone “Simca” Beck, a close friend and colleague of Julia Child, both of whom played a significant role in the introduction of French cooking techniques and recipes into American kitchens. In the 1960s, the famous cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” was published, which was written together by Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle. Following the release of this book, Julia and her husband Paul often visited Simone at this very bastide.

Take a look inside Bastide du Vignal.

Julia and Paul fell in love with their friend’s cozy stone farmhouse surrounded by olive tree groves, soft rolling hills and the smell of lavender and orange blossom in the air. It was times spent at Simone Beck’s villa that had Julia dreaming of owning her own holiday home in the South of France. Shortly after, the Childs built a house just next door on a plot of land that was owned by their dear friend, Simone. Later on, Julia’s grandnephew Alex, said, “they called it the house built on friendship”.

The property is situated in the scenic countryside only minutes from the region’s most picturesque villages – Valbonne, Mougins, Opio and Grasse. If you ever stay at Bastide du Vignal – you’ll quickly understand why Julia Child fell in love with this area!

Today, the property offers 5 en suite bedrooms, a heated infinity pool with amazing hillside views, a summer kitchen and a pétanque court.

Inside, the large open concept living and dining area is complete with a wood-burning fireplace. In addition to the main living area, there is a separate TV lounge. The heart of the home is, of course, the professionally fitted kitchen with its harmonious blend of wood and iron. It is easy to imagine Julia Child cooking her famous boeuf bourguignon in this very kitchen and, after dinner, enjoying a glass of wine and sharing stories with her husband Paul and their dear friends Simca and Jean in front of the fireplace.

The current owner of Bastide du Vignal is a talented architect who renovated the property to be a perfect blend of modern and traditional. The interior spaces are nicely decorated with comfortable and elegant Provençal furniture. There are carefully selected vintage and eclectic pieces that add to the vibrancy and depth of the home.

This charming manor is ideal for those looking for a peaceful getaway. On the other hand, the property’s close proximity to villages, excellent open air markets and restaurants, 10 different golf courses, the sandy beaches of Cannes and Antibes, ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy!

To book Bastide du Vignal, click here.

Interior photos by Zoya Stafienko for A.M.A Selections. All property images © A.M.A Selections