France is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul and Julia Child

by Alex Prud’homme, Katie Pratt

Through intimate and compelling photographs taken by her husband Paul Child, a gifted photographer, France is a Feast documents how Julia Child first discovered French cooking and the French way of life. Paul and Julia moved to Paris in 1948 where he was cultural attaché for the US Information Service, and in this role he met Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Brassai, and other leading lights of the photography world. As Julia recalled: “Paris was wonderfully walkable, and it was a natural subject for Paul.”
Their wanderings through the French capital and countryside, frequently photographed by Paul, would help lead to the classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and Julia’s brilliant and celebrated career in books and on television. Though Paul was an accomplished photographer (his work is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art), his photographs remained out of the public eye until the publication of Julia’s memoir, My Life in France, in which several of his images were included. Now, with more than 200 of Paul’s photographs and personal stories recounted by his great-nephew Alex Prud’homme, France is a Feast not only captures this magical period in Paul and Julia’s lives, but also brings to light Paul Child’s own remarkable photographic achievement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Art, Biography, France, Food, Biography Memoir

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2017

About the author

Alex Prud’homme is an American journalist and the author of several non-fiction books.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I'm not one for so called, coffee-table books, but I am a huge fan of Julia Child. This book captures a photographic history of Paul and Julia Child in France from 1948 through 1956. The majority of the pictures are taken by Paul, an accomplished photographer. All classic black and white photos, each a work of art. I definitely need to own this book for my personal collection. If you're a Julia fan, don't miss this book.

P.S. Ordered and on the way. ; )

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a book of P. Child’s photography, which I found moderately okay. If he weren’t J. Child’s husband I don’t think the book would have been written or the pictures published, or the NYT doing a book review, which is what got me to buy the book.

[Tam G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part essay about Paul Child's life (photographer, artist, diplomat) as understood by the people who knew him (letters to his twin brother, friends, and time spent with his nephew) and part study of his photography. After reading Julia's biography and the book of her letters with Avis DeSoto, I've been fascinated with Paul. A principled introvert and artist, there's never enough Paul on view. He's something of an enigma living cheerfully in his wife's shadow. He was a deep and interesting man who was always supportive of his vivacious wife.

I found this book of his self-study into photography and its artistic principles very interesting. It was fun to see Paul's inner life and work. And if you love Julia, there are plenty of photos! He clearly adored his wife.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photography and very well written combine to make this book a five star read!

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a treasure, it's filled with beautiful and inspiring black and white photography by Paul Child! It covers the 5 years Paul and Julia lived abroad in France, but the text gives you the whole story of their lives before they met and during their marriage. I loved reading parts of Paul's poetry alongside the beautiful images of Julia.

I wish more of Paul's photography was more well known- his eye his so good and he rubbed elbows with so many of the Masters in photography like Edward Weston and Edward Steichen!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond expectation and the photography was sensational.

[Elizabeth Brookbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is stunning - visually and emotionally. Some of the photos took my breath away, and Paul's poem at the end brought tears to my eyes. I've always loved Julia Child, but after reading My Life In France I came to also love her relationship with her husband, Paul. This book is a very touching look at their lives and relationship through Paul's eyes - with his words and photos he took, and with his story as told by his nephew. He was an extraordinary man and half of an extraordinary couple - best friends, lovers, and partners ❤️

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely and thoughtful biography (maybe tribute is a better word) to Paul Child, a fascinating figure in his own right. A great book for either a Francophile or a French chef devotee. I am always interested in Europe as it was after WWII, and this is a little glance I loved being able to see.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book of Paul child’s photography including a biography of his life. Interesting to read about their time in France from his point of view with a focus on photography rather than just the food. A reminder that they were more well rounded as a couple and not just there for the food.

[Jana Bauers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It focused more on Paul than Julia but so cool to hear how he inspired her and led her to become the famous chef she is known for today! What a sweet love they had for one another. Inspiring!

[Wendy MacKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book, where Paul Child’s finally gets his place in the sun as well.

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some might not be aware, but Julia Child's husband did most of the photography and art for her books. While working chiefly for the State Department overseas, and the OSS during WWII (where he met Julia), he had a lifelong passion for photography and this book is a homage to his work: reflecting the years he and Julia lived in France, starting in the late 1940's into the mid-1950's. From Paris, to Marseilles to Provence. All pictures are in black and white and many of Paul Child's philosophies and theories about the art of picture taking are revealed. Three pictures stood out the most for me: Julia in her tiny Paris kitchen standing over a steaming sink, Julia, in nude silhouette in front of a curtained window in Florence, Italy, and Julia's splayed legs, hidden in a nook (all you see are her 6'2" legs, inside a telephone nook in their home. You have the horrible feeling if these two hadn't met, they never would have had the marriage they did. They were a true partnership that respected each other's abilities, and they supported each other through thick and thin.

[Julz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Photographs show just how talented Paul Child was in both his photography and art work. This book compliments ‘My Life in France’ by Julia Child & Alex Prud’Homme giving Paul Child his due recognition. I love his photos of France and of a time we shall not possible see again, in good and bad.
Paul was dedicated to the ‘art’ of everything around him and he understood and practiced the ‘art’ of being not just ok or good but exceptional at what he loved most. Without dedication and hours of studying and learning (not necessary in a class or a book but via life) he believed hard work honing your skills was the only way to become great at whatever you wanted to do or felt passionate about.

Highly recommend!!!

[MaryJo Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written by the same author who co-wrote along with Julia Child, one of my favorite books "My Life in France" and it is a pictorial journey thru the years that Paul and Julia spent in France from 1948 to 1954. Most of the photographs were taken by Paul, a remarkable photographer, and the text tells about their life and also about Paul's upbringing and his life before meeting Julia in 1945 when he was 42. It is fitting that he should be honored with such a book that showcases his photos as he was Julia's partner working behind the scenes in her TV show later on and always encouraging her career. He also took the photos for her later cookbooks.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia Child, the woman who seemed to bring about a culinary transformation in America, would never have become the phenomenon she was without the behind the scenes efforts of her husband Paul Child. Anyone who has read the memoir "My Life in France" that Julia wrote with her great-nephew Alex Prud'homme, will want to have this new book, "France is a Feast," where Paul Child is finally given his due. A relentless and talented photographer and artist, his photographs present an insightful and elegant view of France in the post-WWII years. This book will be enjoyed not only by fans of Julia's cooking shows and books, but by lovers of photography. A very welcome book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains numerous black and white photos by Paul Child, the husband of Julia Child. He was a talented, interesting person in his own right, but as Julia became a cooking phenom (which she credits him with encouraging), his skills and life work were less well known. Not only does the book share many of his black and white photos (mostly France), but the reader also learns of his life before and with Julia. It was an enjoyable, informative read with lots of great photos to view and ponder.

[Rouleauville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exploration of Paul's talent coupled with what we know of Julia's growing passion for food that took flight in Paris. I recommend that you read the biography of Paul at the end of the book early on when browsing his photos (instead of waiting until the end). My favourite photo is the one of the haystacks with Julia looking into the lens from above. Was this composition planned ? A happy accident ?

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A while back, I realized that we have so many coffee-table books, few of which I’ve taken the time to read from cover to cover. I’ve decided to read more of them from here on out. The other day my daughter asked me what I was reading, and when I told her about this book, we both laughed when she said that it seems that I’m often reading a book about Julia Child! I guess it’s true. I love reading about her, although this book is less about Julia and more about her husband, Paul. It’s a beautiful book, filled with incredible black and white photos taken by Paul. The writing is engaging also. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Julia Child and/or France.

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

“Her mentor at the Cordon Bleu was Chef Max Bugnard, who taught her some of the same lessons that Paul had learned about photography – that mastering technique is essential, that it is ‘always worth taking time, and care, to do things right. And have fun – yes, fun, Madame Scheeld,’ Bugnard would say, ‘Cooking is joy!’”




Julia at Les Baux de Provence in 1955 – we visited this gorgeous town a few years ago.


A “roofnic,” in Paris, 1950


Julia at the top of the stairs in 1955

[Anastasiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked this interesting perspective on the life of julia child - seen through the lens of her husband paul child. this book focused on his photography (and more than half of the book was filled with his photos) - they were an interesting couple, living in france and 'bringing back' so much of france to the US.
paul really took his photography seriously - and it was cool to see his photos along with a bit of their story.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read My Life In France, and this book pretty much says, in brief, what that book said in length about Paul and Julia Child. There is also focus on Paul's love of photography, and there are many photographs chronicling their life overseas. All B&W. he had an interesting eye. My favorite photos were of Julia. You can see he truly loved her.

[Ethnea Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed this from the library - mainly to see the photographs of Paris and France by Paul Child taken in the years that he and Julia Child lived in France....one of my favorite books of all time is Julia Child's My Life in France - a memoir of their years living in France - this is a photographic feast of those years...and a delicious companion.

[Kari Ritter Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading (and loving) “My Life in France”, I knew this would also be a must read, and it did not disappoint! Interesting to see how Paul and Julia’s relationship evolved over time, and learn about Paul’s life prior to meeting Julia. Paul’s photography is stunning, and you get a real sense of who he was through his photographs.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing couple, what a surprising love affair. Two talented, interesting, curious people come together later in life to create a world that fills the senses of sight, taste, smell. This book brings you on a photographic journey of France in the 1950s/early 60s..all the feels for this glimpse into the lives of Paul and Julia when they lived in France, where it all began!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! Having just reread My Life in France, there wasn't much new information in the text part of the book. There was a bit though. It was just wonderful to see so many of Paul's photographs from this time period. His style really is beautiful and the black and white photos are striking. It was nice to get a little more insight into Paul Child!

[Anna Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books shows that both Julia and Paul were masters of their crafts. The photographs in this book are beautiful and showed how Paul worked with shape and light to produce beautiful images. A coffee table book for the Julia Child lover in your life.

[Nancy Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Its focus is on Paul and Julia Childs’ years in France, 1948-1954, prior to Julia’s rise to fame as The French Chef. Paul was an avid photographer who always had at least one camera with him. His photographs are beautiful. I learned so much about them.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have to confess I didn't get to read all of the text, ran out of time and can't renew because many people are waiting for the library's copy. However, the photos are stunning. Paul Child is a master of playing with light, and there are many amazing photos of Julia.

[Lorraine Sulick-Morecraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Mandel Public Library, West Palm Beach, FL, for adding this book to your shelves. Paul Child’s images are a wonderful snapshot into his and Julia’s life in France. The candies & personal portraits are especially heartwarming.

[Kate Campos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful blend of biography and photography lending insight to the life and work of Paul Child. A fantastic supplement to the life and work of Julia Child, focusing solely on her sweet and talented husband.

[Mamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoy reading about Paul and Julia Child. Paul's photographs are stunning, providing a fascinating look into how he saw the world and his beloved wife. They were a remarkable team, brave and curious and deeply honorable.