How to support French business in Australia during COVID-19

Reading Time: 11 minutes

A few weeks ago, we told you how you could get your French food fix at home, now it’s time to support French business more generally. Below we let you know about a few French businesses that you can support in person or online. 

 

ONLINE

 

Andrea & Joen

https://www.andreaandjoen.com/

Andrea & Joen is known for its beautiful French linen bed, bath and loungewear collections. You can find their products both in their Sydney store at Bondi Beach but also for those of us not in Sydney or staying at home, via their online store. 

Andrea & Joen’s standout core products are their loungewear and bed linen which is effortless, relaxed, modern and simple. Tailoring and quality is exceptional. All made from French Linen, produced in Normandy to their vegan based wellness products which they sell along with unique beautiful finds from around the world. 

 

Andrea & Joen practices sustainable manufacturing and source products and artisans that are sustainable, vegan / organic based business, environmentally & socially conscious as well. This can be in a form handmade, tea dyed cushions to pottery to handmade smudge wands.

 

Bastille & Sons

https://bastilleandsons.com.au/

Bastille and Sons is an online business only and it is still open, with its warehouse and deliveries are operating. They propose a range of contemporary French furniture, homewares, lighting and lifestyle accessories.

Bastille & Sons’ collections are selected because they are new and unique to Australia. Their objective is to bring French designers and artisan-made products that are exclusive to them.  The Croisette chair by Honoré Déco from Marseille is a good example, as well as Parisian designer Sarah Lavoine’s collection is exclusive to Bastille and Sons in Australia too. Buy yourself a unique French piece that you won’t find elsewhere and support French business. 

 

Côte Noire

https://cotenoire.com.au/

Côte Noire sells beautiful scented candles, diffusers and jars of scented flowers. We got very excited to see that they have a pain au chocolat scented candle. Will that help or hinder our chocolate cravings we wonder!?

 

Their online store remains open and they are dispatching orders daily. Most of Côte Noire’s stockists are still open for business but with different trading hours or with open by appointment option only. 

Their stand out products are the Luxury grand bouquet, and the Luxury Lilies & Roses which often sell out. Côte Noire will also have some beautiful new items next week.

 

Déliss

https://deliss.com.au/

Déliss are still trading online via their online store and have their own delivery service in Brisbane for their charcuterie and cheese products and also ship Australia wide for their other products.

support French business

One of Déliss stand-out products is its saucissons made with 100% Queensland Free Range Pork from the Darling Downs. They are first and only one in Australia to offer real certified Free Range pork Saucisson Sec. Their traditional Saucisson Sec is their best seller.
https://deliss.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/saucisson-sec-pack-of-3

 

In addition, they have a range of cheeses, more than 40, are always expanding the range.
Cheese best-sellers: Comte AOP 18 Months and Raclette
https://deliss.com.au/collections/cheese/products/comte-aop
https://deliss.com.au/collections/cheese/products/raclette

 

Déliss’ Pâtés and Rillettes are a relatively new addition, being imported from a small artisan maker in France.
Pâtés and Rillettes Best sellers: Duck Rillettes and Duck with Cognac Pâtés
https://deliss.com.au/collections/pates-rillettes-foie-gras

SPECIAL OFFER FOR READERS!

Déliss have a special offer for readers of this website: 1 free pâtés and or Rillettes with any online order till the 10/05/2020. All you need to do is enter the code MATILDA and Déliss will add a free pâté when they pack your orders.

 

France at Home

www.franceathome.com.au

Your one stop shop to purchase French supermarket products online is still open and is still posting orders across Australia. 

Their products include those that you won’t find elsewhere in Australia for retail sale. Their most popular products are the Teisseire syrups, LU biscuits, raclette machines, Amora products, oranginas and St Michel madeleines.

support French business

And at the moment, delivery is free across Australia for all orders over $100!

 

French Affair

www.frenchaffair.com.au

While French Affair is not able to do markets and pop-up shops at shopping centres as it usually does, they are still open online.  The website is full of fabulous French products and they send out orders immediately.  During these unusual times, French Affair has noted that customers are keen on two of its main products – and for very different reasons.

 

Savon de Marseille Soaps – Hand washing is one of the most important ways we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The Savon de Marseille soaps are ultra-moisturising and come in a range of gorgeous fragrances. And unlike many supermarket soaps, there are no nasty ingredients.

French Tablecloths – We’re spending more time at home, so make every meal special with a tablecloth from France. Choose from stunning linen, cotton or the ever-popular coated cotton. That’s the stain resistant cloth you just wipe down and .. voila .. any spills or stains are gone.  A lovely way to bring happiness to your home.

 

French Beauty Co

https://frenchbeautyco.com.au/

French Beauty Co specialises in the retail of French pharmacy products (mostly skincare with brands like Embryolisse, Uriage, etc.) in Australia. Its customer base is Australian francophiles. We are Melbourne based but remains open for online business for orders Australia wide.

support French business

French Beauty Co prides itself on the range of French beauty products it stocks but of particular note are the:

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse

EMBRYOLISSE Lait-Crème

CAUDALIE Elixir de Beaute

Treat your skin all while you support French business in Australia.

 

QQ La Praline

www.qqlapraline.com.au

Online chocolate shop QQ La Praline has just started up and sells chocolate bars made with Belgian chocolate and premium ingredients.

 

QQ La Praline’s French chocolatiers have been trained in Belgium. QQ has received great feedback from customers (European and Australian) on both the quality of its products and packaging. QQ La Praline’s packaging is sustainable and plastic free and is locally printed (in Melbourne). 

French Biscuit - Milk Chocolate

Their best sellers are the French biscuit bar and the redgum honeycomb bar. Its signature French biscuit in particular (a mix of Belgian chocolate and homemade biscuit sablé) is not something you can’t find anywhere else.

 

French Biscuit - Milk Chocolate

And…they are about to release new flavours!

 

 

You can also follow QQ La Praline on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

The Ruby Oracle

https://therubyoracle.com.au/

Ruby Oracle has been in business for over 13 years and has been selling online for most of that time through the website and in the last 3 years, also via its eBay store. In mid Feb Ruby Oracle closed its bricks and mortar store in Adelaide but online remains.

 

French jewellery is Ruby Oracle’s main focus. They are also a stockist of the Cote Noire scented flowers we mentioned above. 

Paris Doll Necklaces which The Ruby Oracle sources from Paris and which are a lot of fun. https://therubyoracle.com.au/jewellery/french-jewellery-by-type/paris-doll-necklaces/

 

Other pieces include some from the owner Dianna’s most favourite brand, Au Bout Des Reves. The designs are original and authentic French mostly from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, using metal stampings made from the original antique moulds still available in Paris today. Au Bout Des Reves then enamel the stampings and embellish with Swarovski crystals to create works of wearable art. https://therubyoracle.com.au/au-bout-des-reves/

 

The Ruby Oracle also stocks pieces made by Idem Bijoux, a jewellery atelier in the city of Marseille. as well as jewellery of Lotta Djossou which is designed and made by Clément Djossou in a tiny workshop in the Marais district of Paris.

The Ruby Oracle’s collections can be bought online on its website and via its eBay store .

You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Volange Paris

https://www.volange.com.au/

Volange is open for trading and you have three ways to shop with them:

  1. Online orders with lots of discounts at the moment and free delivery Australia wide
  2. Open by appointment to either of its stores (Waverley and Paddington in Sydney)
  3. Opening of Volange stores for a few hours 1 or 2 Saturdays per month, they announce it via Instagram and email to their database.

 

Volange offers a quite unique shopping experience for Australia. Volange is a true multi-brand French fashion store just like you would find in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a well-decorated, inviting store without being pretentious.

The boutique staff are welcoming and helpful (not pushy) with a consultation approach for the clients who need help with styling tips (French fashion is simple but you need to know the tricks). Last but most importantly everything sold in Volange Paris stores stores has been handpicked by the owner, Prune, in Paris. 

 

Volange works with about 10-15 French labels to create a look unique to Volange and always evolving. The look is smart-casual, easy to wear but feminine at the same time. Every piece can be dressed up or down, they go from work to weekend, office to night…and that is what Volange customers love about their clothes.

 

Volange is currently discounting its new collection and also offering free delivery.

 

Follow Volange on Instagram or look at their website.

 

BRISBANE

 

Déliss

https://deliss.com.au/

Déliss is still trading online via their online store and at one of their usual 2 markets. They also have their own delivery service in Brisbane for their charcuterie and cheese products and also ship Australia wide for their other products.

 

support French business

One of Déliss’ stand-out products are their saucissons made with 100% Queensland Free Range Pork from the Darling Downs. They are first and only one in Australia to offer real certified Free Range pork Saucisson Sec. Their traditional Saucisson Sec is their best seller.
https://deliss.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/saucisson-sec-pack-of-3

In addition, they have a range of cheeses, more than 40, are always expanding the range.
Cheese best-sellers: Comte AOP 18 Months and Raclette
https://deliss.com.au/collections/cheese/products/comte-aop
https://deliss.com.au/collections/cheese/products/raclette

Déliss’ Pâtés and Rillettes are a relatively new addition, being imported from a small artisan maker in France.
Pâtés and Rillettes Best sellers: Duck Rillettes and Duck with Cognac Pâtés
https://deliss.com.au/collections/pates-rillettes-foie-gras

SPECIAL OFFER FOR READERS!

Déliss have a special offer for readers of this website: 1 free pâtés and or Rillettes with any online order till the 10/05/2020. All you need to do is enter the code MATILDA and Déliss will add a free pâté when they pack your orders.

 

MELBOURNE/GEELONG/SURFCOAST

Gavé French Recipes

https://www.gavefrenchrecipes.com/

Gavé French Recipes is still open for business, and launched its online shop just last week. 

They are also now doing deliveries:

  • Wednesday / Friday on the Surfcoast; 
  • Fridays in Geelong; and 
  • weekends in Melbourne

They provide traditional treats such as 

  • Flan Pâtissier: classic or chocolate (GF Raspberry version too); 
  • Cannelé baked in copper mould and beeswax; 
  • palet breton; and 
  • madeleines. 

Their Flan Pâtissier and cannelé are quite popular.

support French business

Order some delicious treats and know that it will also support French business!

 

SYDNEY

Andrea & Joen

https://www.andreaandjoen.com/

Andrea & Joen is known for its beautiful French linen bed, bath and loungewear collections. You can find their products both in their Bondi Beach boutique or via their online store. 

Andrea & Joen’s standout core products are their loungewear and bed linen which is effortless, relaxed, modern and simple. Tailoring and quality is exceptional. All made from French Linen, produced in Normandy to their vegan based wellness products which they sell along with unique beautiful finds from around the world. 

 

Andrea & Joen practices sustainable manufacturing and source products and artisans that are sustainable, vegan / organic based business, environmentally & socially conscious as well. This can be in a form handmade, tea dyed cushions to pottery to handmade smudge wands. So purchasing from Andrea & Joen is not only a way to support French business but also a way to support sustainable production and artisans. 

 

Le Petit Marché

https://www.lepetitmarche.com.au/

Le Petit Marché is a store in Newport where you will find selections of French wine, Natural, organic, red, white, rosé as well as food. It is still open and shopping there is another great way to support French business. It is still open but with reduced hours being from 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays.

support French business

You can follow them on Instagram, facebook or via their website. You can pop in or call ahead to place an order. 

 

Rue de France

https://www.ruedefrance.com.au/

Rue de France sells French antiques and vintage French décor items. They are still open but by appointment only. 

0

 

The French Counter

http://www.thefrenchcounter.catering/

The French Counter has adapted its business to the current situation. The French Counter is now open Tuesday to Saturdays. 

support French business
The French Counter’s French inspired Orange and poppy seed cake

The original design of the French Counter was made to sell crepes, it has also been developed around the idea of offering revisited tradition. As per crepes, we also find Croque Monsieur on the menu and some great freshly baked croissant and pain au chocolat. 

 

With a 13 years hospitality background, Guillaume has always aimed for quality over quantity. Therefore the French Counter focuses on using raw organic products and being able to satisfy gluten and dairy free needs of patrons.  

support French business

The French Counter has adapted its service and now delivers bread and croissant, among other products. While it is based in the Northern Beaches, the French Counter does not limit itself to the north part of Sydney. That said, delivery conditions apply according to your area. 

 

Orders can be sent through [email protected] or via their new website or on facebook.

 

Volange Paris

https://www.volange.com.au/

Volange’s Sydney stores (Waverley and Paddington) are open either by appointment or to the public (while respecting social distancing measures) for a few hours 1 or 2 Saturdays per month. This is announced via Instagram and email to their database.

Volange offers a quite unique shopping experience for Australia. Volange is a true multi-brand French fashion store just like you would find in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.

 

First it is well decorated, very inviting for the customer without being pretentious. Secondly, the staff is welcoming and helpful (not pushy) with a consultation approach for the clients who need help with styling tips (French fashion is simple but you need to know the tricks). Last but most importantly everything sold in Volange Paris stores stores has been handpicked by the owner, Prune, in Paris. 

 

Volange works with about 10-15 French labels to create a look unique to Volange and always evolving. The look is smart-casual, easy to wear but feminine at the same time. Every piece can be dressed up or down, they go from work to weekend, office to night…and that is what Volange’s customers love about their clothes.

 

Volange is currently discounting its new collection and also offering free delivery.

 

Follow Volange on Instagram or look at their website.


 

Do you know any other French businesses that need support? Email matildamarseillaise (at) gmail.com.  What do you do to support French business in Australia?

 

Subscribe

Enter your email to subscribe to new article notifications about all things French and francophone in Australia

 

You may also like to look at our article: 20 ways to get some French culture in isolation

20 ways to get some French culture in isolation

Reading Time: 10 minutes

The cancellation of events over the coming months doesn’t mean that you can’t get some French culture in isolation. We’ve compiled a list of 20 ways you can get some French culture while you isolate.

culture française chez vous

 

1. French cooking

Pull out your dusty cookbooks or go online and find some recipes and fill your home and your belly with the smells and tastes of French cuisine.

French culture in isolation

Let’s Eat France!: 1,250 Specialty Foods, 375 Iconic Recipes, 350 Topics, 260 Personalities, Plus Hundreds of Maps, Charts, Tricks, Tips, and You Want to Know about the Food of France

As the title suggests this book is more than just recipes, it’s an almost encyclopaedic work dedicated to French food.

 

Or Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume 1 from the iconic Julia Childs. There’s also Volume 2.

 

The New Larousse Gastronomique is the American edition of the world-famous culinary dictionary and cookbook. Within you’ll find international recipes, information on cooking terms, foods, notable individuals, and the varieties of French wines and cheeses.

 

Famous French chef Alain Ducasse has his own cookbook: Cooking School: Mastering Classic and Modern French Cuisine

 

The delightful Rachel Khoo decided to move to France and learn the art of French cuisine. Following the success of her TV show, she published a cookbook entitled The Little Paris Kitchen.

 

Online

The French Cooking Academy is offering online courses and French cooking tips direct to your inbox. Sign up here.

The French Food Coach is another website worth subscribing to.

 

Food is such an important part of French culture and cooking is an easy way to bring in or keep a bit of French culture in isolation.

 

2. French cheese making – cheese kits

With supermarkets struggling to keep up with buyers stripping the shelves, now is a great time to order supplies in and learn a new skill: cheese making!

Here are a variety of cheese making kits that we have found:

https://www.cheeselinks.com.au/products/

https://www.greenlivingaustralia.com.au/soft-cheese-kit

https://thecheesemakingworkshop.com.au/product/camembert-and-brie-cheese-making-kit/

https://www.cheesemaking.com.au/shop/camembert-and-brie-kit/ 

https://www.madmillie.com/shop/cheese/specialty-cheese-kit.html 

 

 

3. Wine/French booze/French pique nique in your garden

Who says you can’t have your Saturday night drinks at home instead? Grab some champagne, French bubbles or wine and have a video call with friends doing the same. If you’ve got a garden, courtyard or a balcony, why not get some Vitamin D and set up a little French picnic.

French culture in isolation

Want some inspiration? We recommend this fun book which takes you to 1920s Paris and the cocktails imbibed by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Coco Chanel, and Cole Porter among others. 

https://booko.com.au/9780143133018/A-Drinkable-Feast

 

4. Art

Paris museums have out 100,000 of their works online for viewing and downloading for free!

http://parismuseescollections.paris.fr/en

Or you could go on a virtual tour and enjoy some art for your dose of French culture in isolation. Galleries around the world have their collections available for virtual tours.

Musée d’Orsay 

Musée du Louvre

Musée de l’Orangerie 

 

Melbourne’s NGV also has a virtual tour of its Keith Haring| Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines exhibition

 

You could also listen to podcasts about the works at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

 

Whether for the children in your life or for your inner child, there are also colouring in books from a range of libraries around the world:

French culture in isolation

Bibliothèque Archives nationales Québec (BAnQ)

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/02/BAnQ-Coloring-Book-2019.pdf

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/Bibliotheque_Archives_nationales_Quebec_ColoringBook_ColorOurCollections_2020.pdf 

Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de Santé, Paris Coloring Book

Colouring books from the oldest and largest French medical library

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/02/biusante-color-our-collections-2017.pdf 

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/02/BiuSante-Coloring-Book-2019.pdf 

Bibliothèque Municipale d’Angers

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Bibliotheque-Municipale-dAngers.pdf 

Bibliothèque nationale de France

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/02/BnF-Coloring-Book-2019.pdf 

Bibliothèque publique et scolaire Yverdon les Bains

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Bibliotheque_publique_et_scolaire_Yverdon-les-Bains.pdf 

Europeana Colour Book

Europeana works with thousands of European archives, libraries and museums to share cultural heritage for enjoyment, education and research.

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/01/EU_ColouringBook.pdf 

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/02/Europeana_ColorOurCollections_2018.pdf

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/02/WomenInHistory_Colouring-Book.pdf 

Europeana Art Nouveau Colour Book

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/02/Europeana-Art-Nouveau-Colouring-Book.pdf 

Les Champs Libres

“Les Champs Libres” is a cultural centre including a library, a museum, and a science centre, situated in Rennes (France). The library and the museum preserve rich heritage collections mainly about Brittany : books and manuscripts, photographs, costumes, objects from daily life, archaeological finds, etc.

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/02/Mus%C3%A9edeBretagneetBiblioth%C3%A8que_ColorOurCollections_2018.pdf 

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/02/color-our-collections-Champs-Libres.pdf 

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/20_63927_LCL-album-coloriage.pdf 

Médiathèque Jacques-Chirac, Troyes Champagne métropole

http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/02/V2_Mediatheque_Jacques_Chirac_Troyes_France.pdf 

 

5. Film/Cinema

Sadly the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2020 has had to be postponed until a date to be advised. However, French cinema is another way to enjoy French culture in isolation. Luckily, there are plenty of options to view French film both for free or via subscription streaming services:

SBS on Demand

Netflix

Stan

French culture in isolation
SAMSUNG CSC

There are also a few French language films among the 1150 films available at sont disponibles sur https://lnkd.in/gspcqCm

 

You can also watch a range of French programs on SBS and you can see what French language programs are on and when via this link (just make sure you choose your State/city): https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/language/french/location/

 

La Cinémathèque Française (The French Film Archives) has made 800 masterclasses, essays and video conferences and 500 articles about its collections and its programming available for free via its website:

https://lnkd.in/ghCcNKn

 

Le Forum des Images invites you view its meetings.

 

6. Opera

We can’t go to the opera at the moment but you can still frock up at home while you self-isolate and enjoy a night (in) at the opera. 

Palais Garnier, le grand escalier
Image: Jean-Pierre Delagarde / OnP

 

Paris National Opera is sharing a number of operas from its archives:

 

The complete program:

April 6 – 12: The Barber of Seville (2014)

April 13 – 19: Tribute to Jerome Robbins (2018)

April 20 – 26: The Tales of Hoffmann (2016)

April 27 – May 3: Carmen (2017)

March 17 – May 3: Cycle of Tchaikovsky’s six symphonies played by the Orchestra of the Paris National Opera, conducted by Philippe Jordan

https://www.operadeparis.fr/

 

La Monnaie de Bruxelles
https://www.lamonnaie.be/fr/sections/388-mm-channel 

 

Opéra Royal de Wallonie has also set up an opera at home program. A new performance will be uploaded each Saturday until the end of April.

https://www.operaliege.be/spectacle/loperachezsoi/ 

https://www.france.tv/spectacles-et-culture/opera-et-musique-classique/1233003-don-carlos-de-verdi-a-l-opera-royal-de-wallonie.html

 

The Met Opera has a few French operas in its online streaming service (free 7 day trial available):

Dialogues des Carmélites – Poulenc

Les Pêcheurs de Perles – Bizet

 

7. Ballet

Watch two classic dance masterpieces via the l’Opéra de Paris.

The Nutcracker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHZokYsB1pI

 

8. Music

Philharmonie de Paris has decided to share more than 100 concerts in their totality going back to 1995. 

 

“Le Boeuf sur le toit”

French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra presents a concert dedicated to ‘les six’: the group of French composers whose extraordinary creativity in the interwar period resulted in marvellous works such as Arthur Honegger’s daring Pacific 231 and Darius Milhaud’s much loved Le Boeuf sur le Toit, taking inspiration from tango with surrealist overtones.

https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/087078-008-A/le-boeuf-sur-le-toit

 

French culture in isolation

 

Or pretend you’re en boite with a 7 hour mix from Laurent Garnier.

https://nuit.lebonbon.fr/music/laurent-garnier-mix-7-heures-danser-maison/ 

 

Or listen to French music from a variety of genres on Spotify.

 

9. Theatre and other shows

While not quite the same as experiencing a show live in the theatre in which it takes place, we can still appreciate the talent, spectacle and artistry of the shows via our screens. 

French culture in isolation

 

Cirque Le Roux has shared its show La Nuit du Cerf.

 

Cirque du Soleil presents a 60 minute presentation of some of the best parts of its shows.

 

Opéra Comique (on replay)

The Opera Comique is bringing the opera chez vous with replays which change each week. You can even try your hand at operaoke.

 

The Théâtre des Champs-Elysees has put its 2013 performance of Poulenc’s Le Dialogue des carmélites, directed by Olivier Py and conducted by the young Jérémie Rhorer. A number of stars in the singing roles: Patricia Petibon, Sophie Koch, Sabine Devieilhe, Véronique Gens, Anne-Sofie von Otter, Stanislas de Barbeyrac. https://www.theatrechampselysees.fr/en/videos-1

 

French TV channel Arte https://www.arte.tv/fr/arte-concert/ is showing concerts via its web and Facebok pages.

 

Is 'Fary : Hexagone' available to watch on Netflix in America ...

French stand-up comedian Fary has a show available on Netflix called Hexagone, France’s affectionate nickname.

 

The Odeon European Theatre has put Molière’s “L’École des femmes » as directed by Stéphane Braunschweig online. https://vimeo.com/327310297

 

L’institut national de l’audiovisuel (l’INA) (The National Institute of the Audiovisual) is offering free access via Madelen for three months. It’s the chance to see L’Hôtel du libre échange de Feydeau directed by Isabelle Nanty for The Comédie-Française in 2019 with Florence Viala, Michel Vuillermoz, Christian Hecq. You can also find theatrical performances via the youtube channel

 

La Colline théâtre national invites you to participate in recorded events on Monday and Thursdays at 6pm French time (2:00am AEST). Relive literary evenings with #Danslesyeuxde, Winter concerts or listen to interviews with invited artists. Rendez-vous on Facebook

 

The Théâtre National de Nice is also providing some alternate theatre experiences for you. Daily meeting at 5pm French time (1am AEST) for work on texts and diction exercises with director Muriel Mayette-Holtz. Find this via Facebook and Instagram.

And thanks to a collaboration between Murielle Szac and Bayard Jeunesse publications, a daily video for Le Feuilleton de Thésée, in order to better know the important characters of Greek mythology https://www.tnn.fr/fr/#

https://www.tnn.fr/fr/#

 

10. Learn the accordion

Buy yourself an accordion and teach yourself how to play it.

French culture in isolation

 

11. Audio Books

Listen to audio books in French or in English but about France. Free trials available at Audible.

French culture in isolation

 

12. Pétanque in your garden

Pretend you’re in any French village and play pétanque in your own garden or courtyard. If you need to order boules, there are a number of websites selling French boules:

https://www.petanqueequipment.com/

https://www.boulesaustralia.com.au/

https://decathlon.com.au/products/alpha-solid-competition-petanque-boules-x3-161973?

 

13. Learn French

If you don’t already speak French, you could do some online courses while you self isolate. Learning the language is another way to add to your appreciation of French culture in isolation.

 

There are a number of options for learning French from home. Firstly, find your local Alliance Française and sign up for an online course. 

 

SBS has also launched its SBS Easy French podcast for French learners.

 

Other popular online based places to learn French include:

https://www.duolingo.com/course/fr/en/Learn-French

https://www.babbel.com/learn-french 

 

BBC also has a free French language learning platform:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/ 

 

14. Study french history 

You can learn about French history as taught by a number of universities around the world.

University of Melbourne’s course “The French Revolution”

https://www.coursera.org/learn/french-revolution

 

MIT’s “France, 1660-1815: Enlightenment, Revolution, Napoleon”

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/history/21h-346-france-1660-1815-enlightenment-revolution-napoleon-spring-2011/

 

15. French Uni courses online

France Université Numérique (FUN) is the official French online course platform.  Of course the majority of courses are in French but there are also 46 French higher education institutions courses available in English via the FUN.

French culture in isolation

 

16. Writing 

Shakespeare wrote “King Lear” while in quarantine as the Plague ravaged London. Why not see what being in quarantine can make you write? The task: write a short text about solitude and send it to [email protected]

 

17. Philosophy

Being alone a lot more is a good time to be with your thoughts. Why not study some French philosophy and open up your mind to thoughts about the universe and your place in it. 

A few classes in French au sujet des pensées philosophiques.

University of Geneva’s Le Bien, le Juste, l’Utile. Introduction aux éthiques philosophiques

Also, the University of Edinburgh has an Introduction to Philosophy.

 

18. Fashion

We often look to the French for that inimitable French girl style. Just because you have nowhere to go, you shouldn’t miss out on dressing up. You don’t have to miss out on French culture in isolation.

Or to get your French fashion fix from the comfort of your couch:

 

Melbourne’s NGV has uploaded videos of interviews from its exhibition The House of Dior: 70 years of Haute Couture.

 

French magazines: Vogue’s March edition free in digital version:

 

19. Travel – VR Tours

We may not be allowed to head off to France on holidays at the moment, but thankfully we can still enjoy new scenery via virtual reality tours and enjoy some French culture in isolation.

 

Palace of Versailles has a number of online collections available to view via Arts & Culture by Google. See the mirrors, chandeliers, paintings, exhibitions and parks via Le château de Versailles on Arts & Culture.

 

Or if you want a visit that’s more virtual reality based, the Palace of Versailles is offering a virtual reality experience with the application “Experience Versailles”, created with Fondation Orange, which allows visitors to relive the visit by the Ambassador of Siam to the Court of Louis XIV in 1686 and the Yew Ball held by Louis XV.

 

Les Catacombes de Paris

Visit the catacombes alone! Don’t be scared.

 

La Monnaie de Paris

Appreciate Parisian architecture at La Monnaie de Paris.

 

La Tour Eiffel

Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and have the viewing platform all to yourself as well as the perfect clear skies to view all of Paris below.

 

You can also do a virtual visit of a variety of other sites around France

https://artsandculture.google.com/search?q=France 

 

20. Start a revolution and overthrow the government!

Difficult perhaps to do while social distancing but something potentially amusing to think about

 

Have you got any other ideas for getting some French culture in isolation?

 

Subscribe

Enter your email to subscribe to new article notifications about all things French and francophone in Australia