Oh La La | France via Bayside
With the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival just a few weeks away, we can feel a fever for all things French taking over. Leave your passport at the door – you don’t have to leave Bayside to experience the delicious cultural offerings of France! Today on the blog, C&G share four ways to get a taste of France – without the 24-hour plane journey.
Few do romance like the French, so the perfect place to start your Gallic adventure is a date at Palace Cinemas Brighton Bay during the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival. Running from 4-22nd March with an incredible selection of films on show, Chisholm and Gamon’s top pick of the program is 3 Hearts. Directed by Benoit Jacquot and starring Catherine Deneuve, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Benoit Pelvoorde, 3 Hearts is the tale of a love triangle – lovers are separated, only for one of them to then fall in love (unknowingly) with the other’s sister. Ooh la la!
For a literal taste of France, you’ll want to pay Depot De Pain Café in Black Rock a visit. Join them for breakfast and enjoy great coffee and crepes, freshly baked baguette with butter and jam or a delicious almond croissant. After something more substantial? Treat yourself to lunch with a choice of croques, omelettes and quiche, followed by one of your favourite French sweets or tarts. For special occasions, you can’t go past their made-to-order croquembouche towers. Mon dieu!
While their Napoleonic collection may be temporarily unavailable, The Briars in Mount Martha is still well worth a visit. Walk around their historic homestead and extensive native gardens, before stopping by Josephine’s restaurant for a peaceful lunch. A popular wedding venue whose beautiful vistas rival the best French countryside locations.
If you fancy bringing the art of French cooking into your own home, look no further than Sandringham-based Chateau Cuisine. Run by former French chef and Swiss expat Sandra Bernard, choose from a selection of cooking classes and courses - including private cooking lessons in your own kitchen. At the end of each class you’ll receive a full booklet of recipes and be treated to the meal you helped prepare! Manu who?
From film to food, experience the delights of France without leaving our wonderful Bayside. So what are you waiting for? Allons-y!