Alliance Française Melbourne launches the Micro-Folie Digital Museum bringing masterpieces from over 200 cultural institutions.
The virtual gallery opens with free entry at the French Hub on Bourke Street, offering rotating exhibitions spanning fine arts, architecture, science and performing arts.
Curated by La Villette in Paris and coordinated with 12 founding French national institutions, the Micro-Folie Digital Museum is powered by the French Ministry of Culture and funded by the Embassy of France in Australia with technical support from Grande Experiences.
Micro-Folie Digital Museum
- Where: Alliance Française de Melbourne, Level 1, 140 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
- When: Opens 2 October
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9.30am-2pm and 5pm-6.30pm, Friday 9.30am-2pm
- Entry: Free
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The inaugural exhibition The Evolution of French Style – A Journey Through History features over 80 pieces tracing French fashion from 1730 to 2017. Visitors can explore the Rococo period, the Belle Époque, revolutionary designs from Coco Chanel and Dior, and bold 21st century styles across both men’s and women’s fashion from everyday wear to haute couture.
The Micro-Folie Digital Museum operates through self-guided visits and facilitated sessions, providing an interactive platform for learners of all ages. For French language students, the space offers opportunities to discover French art and history while building vocabulary and practicing conversational skills in context.
With help from The LUME
The project brings digitised works from major French institutions directly into Melbourne’s city centre through dynamic digital displays. Visitors can engage with the collection through touchscreens and large-format presentations, accessing pieces that would otherwise require international travel to experience.
Grande Experiences, formerly known as The LUME, provides the technical infrastructure for the Melbourne installation. The digital museum model has been established across France and internationally, creating accessible cultural spaces that democratise access to major collections.
Alliance Française Melbourne operates the Micro-Folie Digital Museum as part of its broader cultural programming at the French Hub. The space accommodates individual visitors during regular opening hours, with facilitated group sessions available through booking.
For more information, head here.
