Chenin blanc, Daft Punk, Jean-Luc Godard... France has really brought a lot to the table, culture-wise.
As Bastille Day nears, there are a ton of French-focused activities and events taking place across Melbourne where visitors can immerse themselves in la vie en rose.
From foodies to film buffs, everyone can find something to enjoy leading up to the big day on July 14. Put on your beret and your favourite striped shirt and we’ll take you through all of your options.
French Winter Market
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On the weekend leading up to Bastille Day (July 8 and 9), the Queen Victoria Market will host a free French Winter Market. Stop by to stock up on your favourite cheeses from Camembert to Comté, indulge in a bowl of moules frites and finish it off with a decadent crêpe.
Browse the market stalls to shop for Francophone books, imported skincare and cosmetics and region-specific wine and spirits. To keep you entertained, there will be free language classes, as well as circus and mime shows and French jazz and accordion music.
Bastille Day Festival Ticketed Program
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From July 6 to 11, find workshops, walking tours, trivia nights and much more on the Bastille Day Festival ticketed program.
Learn about perfumer-making, wine and cheese pairing, mime craft and the delicate art of French style at one of the many masterclasses. Industry professionals will share their insights, with tickets starting at $20.
The walking tours will show off the city of Melbourne through a French lens. On the final day, there’s even a pitch event for businesses in the French tech industry.
So Frenchy So Chic Soirée
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Leave the kids at home and spend your Bastille Day in style at this glamorous discothèque. On the evening of July 15, the Meat Market will be filled with fun-loving patrons sipping coups of champagne and dancing the night away to Neu-disco and ’90s house jams under glittering disco balls.
The dress code is strictly red, white and blue (an ode to the French flag). There will be an open cheese grazing table by L’Artisan House for the first hour of the event, so make sure to fill up on fromage before boogying down. The most bourgeoisie of the bunch can book a VIP ticket for a luxurious private room featuring oysters, charcuterie and ultimate decadence.
French Cinema
Fun fact: Paris has the highest density of cinemas in the world. The French have always been serious about their filmmaking, and as a result, they’ve created some of the most highly-acclaimed movies of all time.
To celebrate Bastille Day, Cinema Nova is hosting a special screening of Amélie – a widely-beloved romantic comedy following a daydreamy young woman as she traipses through the streets of Paris. They’ll be handing out French wine on arrival.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
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Throughout the city, plenty of bars and venues will be holding special events in honour of the holiday.
Stop by Appartement 26 for an unforgettable high tea on July 8. In the candlelight, enjoy finger foods with bottomless bubbles in the elegant Parisian salon while viewing the antique treasures of Anton Venoir’s private collection.
At the Speakeasy Theatre, see the Vaudeville Revue: an evening of theatre with true Francophile flair. Channelling the glitz and glamour of Paris, the night will feature can-can dancers, comedy, an Edith Piaf tribute and performances from the Moulin Rouge.
To learn about the history of Bastille Day on July 14, head here.
