Claire
Julia Child lived in some remarkable places. From her childhood home in sunny Pasadena to her beloved kitchen in Cambridge, each home shaped who she became.
For fans who want to follow in Julia’s footsteps, here’s where she lived and what you can still visit today.
Pasadena, California (Birthplace)
Where was Julia Child born? Julia Child was born on August 15, 1912, in Pasadena, California. Her childhood home was at 625 Magnolia Avenue, Pasadena, where she grew up in an affluent family.
Julia grew up in sunny Southern California. Her family was well-off, and she had a privileged childhood filled with outdoor activities and travel.
Childhood Addresses
| Address | Details |
|---|---|
| 625 Magnolia Avenue, Pasadena | Main childhood home |
| 1199 S. Pasadena Avenue | Earlier family residence |
Julia was tall even as a child, eventually reaching 6’2″. She played basketball and was known for her energetic personality.
Can you visit? These are private residences, but you can drive by and see the neighborhood where Julia grew up.
Paris, France (1948-1954)
Where did Julia Child live in Paris? Julia and Paul Child lived at 81 Rue de l’Université in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris from 1948 to 1952. They occupied the top two floors of this beautiful building, where Julia fell in love with French cooking.
This is where everything changed for Julia.
Paul Child’s diplomatic post brought them to Paris in 1948. Julia discovered French cuisine and it transformed her life. Her famous first meal of sole meunière in Rouen sparked a passion that would define her career.
Paris Address
| Address | Details |
|---|---|
| 81 Rue de l’Université, 7th Arrondissement | Top two floors, 1948-1952 |
During her Paris years, Julia enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, met Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, and began writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Paris Places Julia Child Fans Must Visit
E. Dehillerin (Julia’s Kitchen Store)
This is the store where Julia bought her copper pots. It’s still open today and looks almost exactly as it did when Julia shopped there.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris |
| Website | edehillerin.fr |
| Founded | 1820 |
The store has wooden floors, towering shelves, and an incredible selection of professional cookware. It’s a pilgrimage site for Julia Child fans.
Other Paris Spots
- Le Cordon Bleu – Where Julia studied cooking (now at a different location)
- Rue de l’Université – Walk past her former apartment building
Chez Georges (Julia’s Favorite Restaurant)
This classic Parisian bistro was one of Julia’s favorites. It’s still open today.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Rue du Mail, 75002 Paris |
| Type | Traditional French bistro |
| Status | Still open |
La Pitchoune, Provence (Vacation Home)
Can you visit Julia Child’s house in France? Yes. La Pitchoune (“The Little One”), Julia’s Provence vacation home, is now available for rent. You can stay in the house, cook in her kitchen, and even take cooking classes there.
Julia and Paul built La Pitchoune in 1965 on land owned by their friend Simone Beck. For nearly 30 years, it was their escape from American winters.
About La Pitchoune
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | La Pitchoune (“The Little One”) |
| Location | Provence, South of France |
| Built | 1965 |
| Julia’s years there | 1965-1992 |
| Current status | Vacation rental + cooking school |
| Website | lapeetch.com |
The kitchen still has Julia’s original extra-tall countertops and her pegboard with copper pots (just like the one now in the Smithsonian).
Visiting La Pitchoune
You can:
- Rent the house for private stays (6-night minimum, 4 bedrooms, up to 8 guests)
- Take cooking classes through the Courageous Cooking School
- Book Cook Camp week-long culinary courses (2025 sold out, 2026 open)
This is the ultimate Julia Child pilgrimage for serious fans.
Cambridge, Massachusetts (1961-2001)
Where did Julia Child live in Cambridge? Julia and Paul Child lived at 103 Irving Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts for 40 years, from 1961 to 2001. This is the house with the famous kitchen where she filmed many of her TV shows, now in the Smithsonian.
This was Julia’s main home for four decades. The house became a gathering place for food lovers, chefs, and friends.
Cambridge Address
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 103 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 |
| Years | 1961-2001 |
| Current status | Private residence |
The kitchen from this house is now the centerpiece of the “FOOD: Transforming the American Table” exhibit at the Smithsonian. Julia donated it in 2001 when she moved to California.
Can you visit? The house is a private residence and not open to the public. You can walk by and see it from the street.
Julia Child Experiences in Cambridge/Boston
- Puritan & Co. restaurant regularly hosts Julia Child tribute dinners
- Historic Cambridge neighborhood walking tours sometimes include her home
Santa Barbara/Montecito, California (2001-2004)
Julia spent her final years in the sunshine of Santa Barbara, near where she grew up.
Montecito Addresses
| Address | Details |
|---|---|
| Montecito Shores | Condo owned in the 1980s |
| Casa Dorinda | Retirement community, November 2001 until her death in 2004 |
Julia moved to Casa Dorinda, a retirement community in Montecito, in November 2001. She was 89 years old.
She passed away on August 13, 2004, just two days before her 92nd birthday. Her last meal was a bowl of homemade French onion soup.
Georgetown, Washington D.C. (Brief Period)
Julia and Paul also lived briefly in Georgetown, Washington D.C. during Paul’s diplomatic career. This was before their main Cambridge years.
Quick Reference: All Julia Child Homes
| Location | Address | Years | Visitable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena, CA | 625 Magnolia Avenue | 1912-1930s | No (private) |
| Paris, France | 81 Rue de l’Université | 1948-1952 | View exterior only |
| Provence, France | La Pitchoune | 1965-1992 | Yes! (lapeetch.com) |
| Cambridge, MA | 103 Irving Street | 1961-2001 | No (private) |
| Montecito, CA | Casa Dorinda | 2001-2004 | No (private) |
Planning Your Julia Child Pilgrimage: The most accessible location is La Pitchoune in Provence (lapeetch.com). In Paris, visit E. Dehillerin and walk past 81 Rue de l’Université. In the U.S., her Smithsonian kitchen is the best way to experience Julia’s cooking space
Frequently Asked Questions
Julia Child was born in Pasadena, California on August 15, 1912.
She lived at 81 Rue de l’Université in the 7th Arrondissement from 1948-1952.
Yes. La Pitchoune in Provence is available for rent at lapeetch.com.
103 Irving Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s a private residence.
The kitchen from her Cambridge home was donated to the Smithsonian in 2001 and is now on permanent display.
E. Dehillerin in Paris (18-20 Rue Coquillière) is where Julia bought her copper pots. It’s still open today.
Sources
- Historic Cambridge – Julia Child
- La Pitchoune Official Site
- E. Dehillerin Paris
- Wikipedia – Julia Child
– Claire
