François Monichon was born in Burgundy, or Bourgogne, France, hence the name he gave to his cottage. He arrived in Melbourne in 1855. He had been one of the chefs to Napoleon III and on arrival in Melbourne opened a restaurant in Flinders Lane and later moved to Flinders Street. He became chef-de-cuisine at the Melbourne Club then at Scott's Hotel. He apparently also provided catering services to the Governor. He died in 1879. The house was built as a four roomed cottage with stables and coach house. The house has been extended and the stables and coach house demolished. There is a legend that a tunnel runs from beneath the house and under Agnes Street and ends roughly where La Trobe's Cottage once stood.