Patricia Wells, culinary icon and celebrated author of The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris and many other classic cookbooks, shares her collection of treasured antique kitchenware and décor—each piece embodying the spirit of Provence and now available to inspire your own culinary journey.
For Love of France
Patricia’s journey into the world of French cuisine began with a career in journalism at The Washington Post and The New York Times, which eventually led her to Paris as a food critic for the International Herald Tribune and L’Express. She quickly became a celebrated voice in French gastronomy, and in time, she and her husband, Walter, made France their permanent home. Today, they divide their time between their residence in the 6th arrondissement of Paris and the sun-drenched countryside of Provence. Patricia describes this region as “a very specific part of northern Provence…filled with lavender fields, fruit orchards, olive groves, and endless stretches of vines,” and it is a landscape that has captured her heart and shaped her work.
In 1984, Patricia found a new sanctuary in Chanteduc, a farmhouse whose Provençal name means “the song of the owl.” “The farm is made up of a splendid spread of grapevines, oaks, pines, and olive trees, as well as an endless blue-sky view of the Provençal countryside,” she explains. “I cannot imagine a patch of land that could offer more happiness.” For decades, Chanteduc has been a source of profound inspiration, nurturing Patricia’s culinary philosophy and bringing her immeasurable joy.
A Treasured Friendship
One of the most treasured chapters of Patricia’s Provençal life was her friendship with Julia Child, the legendary American chef and author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, who introduced French cuisine to millions. Patricia recalls the beginning of their friendship warmly: “Julia sent me a fan letter in 1984 after The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris came out. She wrote, ‘I hope I get to meet you someday.’ Can you imagine?”
The two met that fall, becoming close friends. Each time Julia went to her own house in Provence, just south of Chanteduc, she would stop to spend the night with Patricia and Walter. “This went on for years,” Patricia says fondly. “We traveled together, hosted events, and shared so much.” Julia’s infectious enthusiasm for food blended beautifully with Patricia’s thoughtful approach to cooking, and their friendship grew deeper with each visit.
Collaboration with Chez Pluie Provence
In a meaningful collaboration with Susannah and Hugh Cameron of Chez Pluie Provence, Patricia’s personal collection of kitchenware and décor is now available to collectors and admirers around the world. Since founding Chez Pluie in 2016, the Camerons have dedicated themselves to curating exceptional French antiques, having left their careers in Australia to embrace the rhythm of Provençal life. Chez Pluie has since become the trusted leader in the world of antiques, known for its commitment to authenticity.
On November 16th, this collaboration offers a rare opportunity to experience the enduring charm of Chanteduc through Patricia’s personal items—from copper pots seasoned by countless meals to rustic cutting boards and gently worn linens. These are the objects that fill Patricia’s daily life, reflecting her joy in sharing meals with friends and her love for her home.
Chez Pluie’s beautifully crafted digital catalog brings the quiet elegance of Chanteduc to life, where each item tells a story of Provence’s beauty and the life Patricia has cultivated there. This collection is an invitation to share in Patricia’s profound connection to food, France, and the art of living well. As these treasures journey from Chanteduc to your own kitchen, they will bring with them not only a taste of French culinary history but also the warmth, charm, and refinement that lie at the heart of Patricia’s life in Provence.
Text and photos courtesy of Chez Pluie Provence.
Shop the offerings in this exquisite catalog starting on November 16th, and learn more about Chez Pluie Provence on their website.
