La Couronne

There may not be time to enjoy the same selections Julia Child once referred to as, “the most exciting meal of [her] life,” in her autobiography, but at La Couronne, it’s an option. The restaurant is housed in what is considered to be the oldest inn in all of France. (The bill of sale is registered with the date 1345.)

After a long lunch here with her husband, Julia Child was inspired to learn the art of French cooking. But, judging by the wall-to-wall signed headshots throughout this two-story eatery, this place has been a hit with celebrities before she came into the picture. Among others, Grace Kelly, Salvador Dali and Brigitte Bardot have dined on the Dover sole and canard à la rouennaise.

Chef Vincent Taillefer, president of the prestigious Toques Rouennaises offers prix-fixe menus in addition to the one dedicated to Julia Child, all based around local traditions and history. The “Impressionist-Flavours” menu, for example, offers lighter options that still exude powerful colors and tastes while upholding the school of painting’s dedication to enigmatic interpretations of tradition.