Been reminiscing over nights spent swilling merlot in a wine bar by the Seine? Developed an unhealthy girl-crush on Audrey Tautou? Or maybe you’ve just watched Midnight in Paris? Take the edge off those itchy Francophile feet and immerse your senses in all things French — passport not required.
Film
We love Woody Allen, but for beautifully made films jam packed with irresistible French accents you can’t look past the Alliance Frainçaise French Film Festival, returning to Sydney screens this month. Keep the 15th free for Secrets of Serge, a documentary made by Jane Birkin about her memories with Serge Gainsbourg , followed by an exclusive Q&A with Birkin herself.
Food
Experience a French fondue and film affair or please your sweet tooth at Potts Point’s Croissant D’Or and ‘oow’ and ‘ahh’ over their cute duck-shaped meringues. For a more savoury Parisian experience, La Planchette will deliver a bespoke cheese and saucisson selection straight to your doorstep.
Tempted to demonstrate French flair in your own kitchen? Sign up for a hands-on croquembouche class at Patisse and — if everything goes according to plan — take home a box of fabulous treats to verify your pastry prowess. But if you really want to take your friends and family on a gastronomical odyssey, enlist the help of A Frenchman in Sydney. Stéphane Hemmerter’s delicious cooking class comes with a generous side of French grammar and pronunciation lessons to boot.
Drink
In the comfort of your own boudouir, use this recipe to make your own French Martini Cocktail
30 ml Chambord
45ml Finlandia Vodka
30ml Pineapple Juice
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a wedge of peach or strawberry.
Go on a journey through Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Loire Valley and Alsace at Darlinghurst’s French-to-the-hilt Tastevin bistro and wine bar. Or follow the route of the Tour de France (sans the Lycra) at Sydney Wine Centre wine tasting class, Wednesday 4 July. If cycling isn’t your thing, curate your own route and sign up for their French Cheese and Wine Matching, Thursday 29 March.
For your maison
Get your home smelling like a French château with a Maison Guedin candle set in a hand-blown glass jar. Head to La Croix in Kings Cross to preface perusing hand-crafted European homewares with a confit duck tartine. Or for a slice of the French Rivieria, get to ici et la in Surry Hills to covet your soon-to-have collection of striped canvas deckchairs (don’t forget to say bonjour to Marcel, the resident French bulldog).
For yourself
To keep your own wardrobe à la mode? Channel Coco Chanel’s masculine style in some classic leather footwear from French brand Spring Court (John Lennon’s shoe of choice), and swing by Jac + Jack to check out the latest range of magnifique accessories from Parisian designer Ema…Oh.
