The Courageous Cooking School experience is so vastly different in so many ways from other programs you may come across. Our agenda is to immerse you in a world where you trust your own intuition and taste.

If you are familiar with Julia Child and her world-famous Provencal kitchen, then you are probably well aware of the pegboard wall that is proudly displayed in the space. Let’s talk about it.

A museum now rests where Escoffier was born, in that quaint, Provencal, 18th century home in Villeneuve-Loubet. Managed by the Auguste Escoffier Foundation the Escoffier Museum of Culinary Art is the only Museum of Culinary Art in France.

The Promenade des Anglais - or “The Prom” as Niçoises refer to it - is one of Nice’s most sought-after leisure attractions. Here’s why.

The Mouans Sartoux Market is already quite a fun place to explore. But this Confiture Shop… run by an incredible woman… is our absolute favorite.

Only a few minutes’ drive from the property, Auberge de Provence is a quaint eatery that rests next to the old village area of Plascassier. The team there serves up classic gourmet dishes from the area:

Though we are most certainly foodies first and foremost, there is a very big piece of our hearts that celebrates and marvels at architecture. Styles from all eras, lovely details from all walks of life.

Take the Abbaye de Valbonne in our wonderful, little town…

One of Julia Child’s most notable haunts during her days in the French countryside was the storied Marche Forville in Cannes. The intuitive chef would shop for top-notch produce along the aisles of the market, no doubt perusing the views as much as the tomatoes! Luckily for us, the market is still absolutely brimming with culture, art, and delectable food, and it’s a short 30-minute jaunt from the La Pitchoune property!

At the base of the Esterel mountain range, surrounded by insanely clear waters, is the breathtaking village of Theoule-sur-Mer. Only a half-hour drive toward the water from the La Pitchoune property, and you’re smack dab in the middle of one of the most quaint and vibrant landscapes available in Provence.

Le Fournil D’eugene succeeds with its focus and simplicity. There is one baker. His ovens are in the cellar of an old village house in Valbonne. He literally carries the bread out of the cellar on a wicker tray to the storefront right around the corner.

Today, the pool on the La Pitchoune property is one of the most relaxing draws to the space. Even when guests aren’t fully aware of all of our amenities, their faces light up when they approach the cool, blue reflection of the water. A luxury we are absolutely delighted to have, the pool has a little bit of history to it as well.

Experience the magic of the weekly Valbonne market in France, where vendors from the countryside sell their wares and fresh produce on streets that feel like they were pulled from a storybook.

Here are some of the most important reasons why you should consider visiting La Pitchoune (La Peetch) in our “down time” this winter - and every winter!

Valbonne is an adorable French village right out of a storybook. We are thrilled to call it our home.

So, what makes Valbonne such a special destination?

Just a hop, skip, and a jump from our property at La Pitchoune stands a village that boasts many things to see: Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Known for its religious relics - it is said to house many items that belonged to Mary Magdalene - and landscape, this town is truly just about an hour from our doorstep and a wonderful day trip for our guests. So, why would a small town at the foot of the Sainte-Baume mountains play host to items that belonged to such a pivotal character in Christianity? It is rumored…

Tucked away along the Route de Nice on the edge of the old village of Valbonne is a must-stop for all of our seafood-loving friends. Poissonnerie Cap’Ten - the village poissonnerie or fish shop, as the Americans would call it - was one of the first purveyors Makenna met and bonded with after buying La Peetch and bringing her cooking school concept to the French countryside.

While many are quick to picture the French countryside as quaint little towns, charming, rolling hills, and quiet cafes where you go to feed your soul, I will say that I don’t hear much about the all-terrain lifestyle one can lead, tucked away in the hills of Provence. For visitors who are a little more outdoorsy, there are several pivotal reasons to visit Gorges du Verdon...