Bastille Day Melbourne is a free French festival which is on tonight and tomorrow at Federation Square. It is just one of many French events happening around the country for Bastille Day. You can read about them all here.
FREE STUFF
There’s free entry to get in and wander around the French market and watch the acts performing on the main stage, simply named Le Stage.
At Le Stage you will be entertained by French music acts, including Belle Musette, La Mauvaise Reputation and La Nuit Blanche. There will also be dance performances with both Can Can and African Flashmobs.
FOOD
There are plenty of food options at Bastille Day Melbourne: croissants and other pastries from Choukette, cannelés and madeleines from Gavé, crêpes from several stallholders, cheesy delights from Frencheese, charctuerie from Saucisson Australia, truffles from La Truffière and even waffles on a stick or some African cuisine.
You can also purchase food to take home such as French products from the France at Home stall, Fromager d’Affinois, Milk the Cow.
DRINK
Plenty of drink options too with wines from M Chapoutier, French spirits from Spirits of France, Wine Selectors, Unwined liquor, Rhizome Beverages and Barton & Guestier.
SHOPPING
You can treat yourself to some French goods in the form of lingerie from Simone Perèle, fashion and homewares from Maison Cecile, French posters from La Brocante, prints from Skart and Savvy Designs, jewellery from Alouette Bijoux, Beju and Sophie M Designs .
Or you might be inspired to better your French by signing up for French classes or even decide to book yourself a trip to France.
PAID EVENTS
There are also paid events within Bastille Day Melbourne including talks, tours and masterclasses.
TALKS
Talks include explorations of how bilingual and bi-cultural backgrounds can shape society, women of the French revolution as well as art in Mirka Mora and an homage to the role of Notre-Dame Cathedral in the history of Paris. These hour long talks are $10 each to attend.
TOUR
There’s also a walking tour of The Paris End of Melbourne’s CBD which runs for 2 and a half hours and includes food and beverages. It costs $80.
MASTERCLASSES
Masterclasses cover both your taste buds and your olfactory senses. The classes range from $30 to $49 and from 45 minutes to an hour.
You can learn about:
- French wine and cheese pairing
- Patisserie and champagne
- Fragrance; and
- French couture with Chanel trained French designer Delphine Genin
OTHER INFO
The full programme can be viewed and tickets for paid events can be purchased at: https://www.bastilledaymelbourne.com/program
Bastille Day Melbourne is open:
- Friday 12 July 4pm – 10pm
- Saturday 13 July 10am – 10pm
How are you celebrating Bastille Day?
