Julia Itinerary- Sept 18-25, 2027

SEptember 18-25, 2027

The week will be spent on the very estate where Julia Child wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking, a setting that still carries her unmistakable spirit. The focus of the journey is to honor Julia’s legacy by experiencing Provence through her eyes. We’ll visit Julia’s favorite olive oil producer for a private tour and tasting, go to the butcher shop that supplied her meats, wander through the open‑air market where she shopped each week, and dine at one of her beloved restaurants, still owned and run by the same family. Two dinners at the villa will be prepared entirely from Julia’s own recipes, a heartfelt tribute to the woman who brought French cooking into American homes.

The trip is intentionally timed for September, Provence’s most idyllic season. The summer crowds have drifted away, children are back in school & the region settles into a quieter, more authentic rhythm. Days are warm with the glow of late summer, while evenings carry the first hints of autumn — a perfect backdrop for savoring food, wine, & the landscapes Julia adored.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stay on Julia Child’s Provençal estate — a once in a lifetime opportunity to live, cook & unwind where she wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
  • Explore the Riviera’s most charming villages — including Antibes, Mougins, Valbonne, & Biot, each with its own blend of history, art, and sun washed Mediterranean beauty.
  • Enjoy two private wine experiences — one a visit and tasting at one of the region’s most acclaimed wineries, the other an intimate comparative seminar held at the villa, designed to deepen your understanding of Provence’s distinctive terroir.

     

 

Saturday: Welcome to Julia’s!

NOTE:  It is strongly recommended that you arrive in Nice at least three days before the trip—and four days is even better—to comfortably adjust to jet lag and ease into the rhythm of the French Riviera.  Nice is an art lover’s paradise, home to world‑class museums, sun‑splashed promenades, and a vibrant cultural scene shaped by Matisse, Chagall, and generations of painters drawn to its Mediterranean light.

Afternoon:  Our journey begins in the mid‑afternoon. After checking in to our renowned villa, you’ll have time to settle in—unpack, slip into the pool for a refreshing swim, or simply wander the grounds and take in the estate’s quiet splendor.

Evening:  Tonight’s dinner is just a short distance away at a highly praised French restaurant tucked into the medieval heart of a nearby village. Known for its intimate ambiance and beautifully crafted dishes, it offers the perfect setting for a relaxed and memorable first evening.

Sunday:  Antibes & Its Provencal Outdoor Market

 

Morning:  We’ll begin our day in the ancient Roman seaside town of Antibes, starting at its bustling open‑air food market—a feast of colors, aromas, and Provençal life. Just a croissant’s toss away is the very butcher Julia Child favored.  After the market, you’ll have free time to explore the historic center at your own pace.

•  Art lovers will be drawn to the Picasso Museum, housed in a former château overlooking the sea.
•  Walkers can wander the old stone ramparts that once protected the city, or stroll along the town’s jaw‑dropping marina lined with bazillion‑euro yachts.
•  Shoppers will find a charming maze of boutiques offering everything from linens to local crafts.

Afternoon:  Lunch will be on your own in Antibes. By mid‑afternoon, we’ll make our way back to the villa, where you’ll have a few unhurried hours to relax.

Evening:  We will dine in a small, quiet Provençal hill village, planted with olive trees, pines, and cypresses, and dotted with beautifully preserved old stone houses.  The restaurant, known for its fresh local products, is both cozy and elegant.

Monday: Olive Oil & Perfume

 

Morning:  Today we’ll visit Julia Child’s beloved olive oil producer, where the same family has been crafting exceptional oils for seven generations. You’ll tour the estate, see the antique presses still in use, and sample a selection of hand‑crafted oils and Provençal specialties, including the region’s famous olive tapenade.

From there, we’ll continue to nearby Grasse, the historic heart of France’s perfume industry. We’ll visit one of the city’s oldest perfumeries to learn about the intricate art and science behind fragrance creation—from distillation to blending. You’ll also have time to browse their exquisite boutique, filled with perfumes, soaps, lotions, and cosmetics inspired by the flowers of Provence.

Afternoon:   You’ll have free time to enjoy lunch in the enchanting town of Grasse, whether you choose a shaded terrace, a quiet café, or a spot overlooking the old streets scented with jasmine.  After lunch, we’ll stop at a local supermarket—a favorite experience for travelers—to explore their selection of regional items, from Provençal pantry staples to chocolates and everyday French specialties.

Evening:   Before we leave for dinner, we’ll gather at the villa for a wine tasting focused on the iconic rosé wines of Provence. Come prepared to learn a great deal about how these celebrated wines are produced—from grape selection and pressing techniques to the subtle choices that shape color, aroma, and flavor.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at an Italian restaurant.  Provence was once part of the Italian empire, and its cuisine still carries unmistakable Italian influences—fresh herbs, sun‑ripened vegetables, olive oil, and a love of simple, beautifully prepared dishes. Expect Italian classics interpreted through a French lens, and the relaxed ambiance that defines dining in this region.

TUESDAY: A Culinary Tour of Provence’s Hill-Top Towns

 

Morning:    Today is a dream for any food lover—an immersion into the craftsmanship, aromas, and flavors of Provence.  We’ll begin with a visit to an iconic sweet producer where we’ll watch artisans create jams, candied fruits, crystallized flowers, and chocolate‑coated treats.

Afternoon:  Next, we’ll stop for lunch in the charming hilltop village of Tourrettes‑sur‑Loup, a beautifully preserved medieval town. Known as the “City of Violets,” it has been the epicenter of violet cultivation for more than a century. These delicate purple blossoms appear everywhere—in gardens, in shop windows, and especially in the town’s culinary traditions.  The village’s restaurants and cafés often incorporate local flowers making lunch here both delicious and distinctly Provençal.

We’ll end our afternoon in the small but famous wine district of Bellet, tucked into the hills above Nice. This tiny appellation—one of the oldest in France—offers a truly unique experience for wine lovers. Its vineyards cling to steep, sun‑drenched terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, and its wines are shaped by a rare combination of sea breezes, altitude, and ancient volcanic soils.

Evening:   Another hilltop village awaits us for dinner.  We’ll dine at one of Julia’s favorite restaurants, a place celebrated for preserving the nearly vanished tradition of authentic Provençal cuisine. Set in the medieval Biot—famous for its glassblowers—this restaurant feels like stepping back in time. The elderly owner, fondly remembers “the tall American woman” who once sat at her tables. Expect an evening filled with heritage recipes, warm hospitality, and the timeless charm of a village where craft, history, and cuisine are all woven together.

Wednesday: Free Day

 

Morning & Afternoon:  Today the group is free to explore on their own. A highly recommended option is the tony hilltop town of St‑Paul‑de‑Vence, one of the Riviera’s most celebrated artistic enclaves. Art lovers will be especially drawn to its world‑class Maeght Museum—a modernist masterpiece filled with works by Miró, Chagall, Giacometti, and Calder—as well as the village’s plethora of galleries lining its cobbled lanes

Evening:   While you’ve been out exploring Provence, June has been in the villa’s kitchen preparing a special dinner from Julia Child’s own cookbook—written right here on this estate. Tonight’s meal is both a homage and a homecoming, bringing Julia’s beloved recipes back to the place where they were created.  Dinner will be accompanied by an assortment of Provence’s wines, chosen to highlight the region’s sun‑soaked flavors and to pair beautifully with Julia’s timeless dishes.

Thursday:  Charismatic Mougins—A Provence Icon

Morning:  We’re off to one of the most charismatic villages on the Riviera. Mougins has long been a magnet for artists, chefs & celebrities for centuries.  Mougins was home to Roger Vergé, one of the most influential French chefs of the 20th century.  He trained both Hubert Keller and Alain Ducasse, the latter becoming the most Michelin‑decorated chef in history. The village has also drawn an illustrious circle of residents, including Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Catherine Deneuve, and Pablo Picasso.  Today, it is known for its art galleries, boutiques, and beautifully preserved medieval lanes.

Afternoon:  You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch in this charming, pedestrian‑only village, with its quiet lanes, shaded terraces, and relaxed Provençal rhythm.  Afterward, we’ll return to the villa, and the remainder of the afternoon will be free to relax—stretch out by the pool, read in the garden, or simply savor the stillness of the estate.

Evening:  Tonight, we’ll dine at a local restaurant whose menu changes weekly, evolving according to the favorites brought back from the market.

Friday:  Julia’s Beloved Outdoor Market

 

Morning:  We’re off to one of Provence’s best outdoor markets in the enchanting village of Valbonne. Just minutes from her home, Julia Child was a regular patron of this famous weekly event, and it remains one of the most beloved markets on the Riviera.  The center square is filled with a cornucopia of local produce, alongside stalls overflowing with brightly colored Provençal fabrics, hand‑painted pottery, and lavender products that perfume the air

Afternoon:  After the market you’re free to explore Valbonne at your leisure. This pedestrian‑friendly village, with its geometric medieval layout and honey‑colored stone buildings, offers charming cafés, boutiques, and quiet lanes ideal for wandering.

Evening:  Our farewell dinner tonight will be created from the ingredients gathered at this morning’s market—the freshest produce, fragrant herbs, local cheeses, and whatever seasonal treasures Provence offered today. As always, Julia’s recipes will guide us, letting the market’s bounty shape the menu just as she loved to do.  The meal will be a final celebration of the flavors, traditions, and shared moments that have defined our week together.

Saturday:    Au Revoir, Julia!

Morning:  The trip ends after breakfast at the villa, bringing our Provençal week to a gentle and memorable close.  

 

 

      


FAQs

The tour begins at 4pm September 18, 2027 at the estate where Julia Child wrote her first masterpiece cookbook.  It is strongly advised that all participants arrive in Provence at least one day before (preferably three to four days prior) to see the city of Nice, as well as to allow time for adjusting to jet lag.  Wine Knows will be happy to make hotel suggestions for Nice, as well as other towns on the French Riviera.

Julia’s villa is located <20 miles from the Nice airport.  Participants will be responsible for arranging their transport to the villa.  Detailed directions & villa contact info will be sent with the final documents.

The villa, which dates from the 18th century, had long been in the family of Julia’s co-author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Simone Beck.  Julia & Simone wrote the first volume of their book at this villa. Years late Julia & her husband built a small 2 bedroom/1 bath cottage on the property.  The cottage is just across the driveway from the large villa.

The villa was purchased approximately twenty years ago by an Interior Designer/Architect.  It has been completely renovated throughout with the latest technologies with a high level of comfort & design (it was featured in Europe’s equivalent of Architectural Digest).  Several foot thick stone walls have been juxtaposed with a clever glass and concrete addition which allows for dramatic raised ceilings, glorious floor to ceilings windows, and modern high-end finishes. The villa is also WIFI enabled.

There are 5 bedrooms (spread over the two upper floors), each with an ensuite bathroom.  Two rooms have twin beds, two have queens, and 1 has a king.  Each bedroom is air-conditioned.

A contemporary eat-in gourmet kitchen is equipped with a highly-prized La Cornue stove, dishwater, and a large array of chef’s tools.   There are two huge American style refrigerators.  You will have everything needed at your fingertips to create the perfect Julia dishes if you choose to participate in the cooking of dinners at the villa.

The 5 acre estate stands in a dominant south facing position with panoramas from the home, terrace, and the infinity-edge pool.  The property boasts enormous exterior spaces with various areas for outdoor living & dining, or simply stealing away for some quiet time by yourself:

  • shaded terrace
  • outdoor kitchen poolside
  • outdoor shower/ bathroom poolside
  • bocci ball court
  • BBQ

Also, do note that the villa is equipped with both a washer & dryer, as well as hairdryers in each bathroom.  There is an iron and ironing board on site.

The French dress more formally than most Americans & I would like to respect their customs. Men should plan to wear a collared shirt & long pants to restaurant dinners  (sport coat optional) & women should plan a similar level of attire.  The last night at the villa we will “dress to dine” so plan accordingly by bringing something special for our farewell dinner (e.g. cocktail attire).  Casual wear (e.g. T shirts and shorts) can be worn during the day.

Good walking shoes are essential as many of the villages we’ll be visiting have cobblestone streets.  Also, don’t forget to bring a swimsuit as the villa has a pool.

Consider the following 3 rules of thumb to minimize the amount of clothing required:  (1) Bring layers.  (2)  Use the mix-and-match principal (i.e. if it doesn’t mix or match, leave it at home.)  (3)  Use accessories to change the look versus bringing additional clothing.

Daytime temperatures on the French Riviera during this time of year average about 70-75 degrees so pack accordingly.  Be sure to bring a sweater as evenings along the sea can be chilly.  While rain is unusual at this time of year, it never hurts to pack a small umbrella.

Free time is detailed in the itinerary.  It is not mandatory that you attend all of the planned experiences, although most of our clients do.  This is your trip—if you would rather sleep-in, shop, or simply chill at the villa, then do it!

Group airfare has purposefully not been included to allow maximum flexibility in arrival & departure options. This means that travelers may go both early as well as stay over after the trip concludes.   Wine-Knows Travel, Inc. provides land only arrangements and does not provide airfare.

I highly recommend that the Master Bedroom be given to Darlene & Jim since they are the ones who have orchestrated the participant list.  I volunteer to take one of the bedrooms on the top floor (3rd floor).  I suggest there be a drawing on arrival for the remaining three bedrooms (two double-bedded rooms on the 2nd floor & one large corner room on the 3rd floor that has both a double & single room.)

A daily continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30 am, although coffee will be available earlier.  June will make a daily run to the boulangerie—in addition to bakery products, there will be yogurts, fruits, juices and cereals on the buffet.  A nightly three course dinner with two glasses of wine per person will also be provided (should one desire extra wine it can be ordered & will need to be paid directly to the restaurant via a separate bill.).  Do note that all lunches will be on your own.  

This will depend upon what is fresh in the market.  Mid-September in Provence offers a glorious cornucopia of vegetables & fruits (think luscious ripe tomatoes, red & yellow peppers & squash, along with melons, figs & pears).  Julia’s books contain hundreds of recipes but we’ll focus on dishes from Provence such as tapenade, pistou (Provence’s pesto), and ratatouille.  Typically one of the dinners will feature the area’s highly prized veal, and the other may use local farm-raised organic chickens.  For soups, we’ll be making our own stock—no short cuts will be used at Julia’s.  Provence’s ubiquitous goat cheese will most likely appear in one of the dinners.

Absolutely.  There are two refrigerators & plenty of space to store them.  Also, do note that on Monday we’ll be visiting a supermarket where participants can purchase such items.

Wine-Knows accepts payments via Zelle (using our email address), or personal checks (please make all checks payable to Wine Knows Travel, Inc, TRUST ACCOUNT, a federally insured travel fund).  We do not accept credit cards.

The European Union requires now all passengers to be cleared through EES, their new entry & exit system.  Read more about this requirement on their website:

Entry/Exit System (EES) – EES

Also, even if you change planes in London, you must have their version of the above (yes, a separate one!

EU Entry/Exit System – GOV.UK 

Tour Price

Tour Dates*
Sept 18-25, 2027

 

$ 4,980
Single Supplement $1200

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