Yeah, righto. So last time I checked, Melbourne wasn’t a part of France. That’s correct. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Bastille Day. Which is on the 14th of July. And now I’m telling you to go do something Frenchy this Saturday. Makes sense, no? Here are our Top 5 French Things To Do In Melbourne This Saturday* for It’s-Bastille-Day-But-Not Day.
1. Pig out on macaroons
Or macarons. Whichever floats your boat. They’re the same thing. Try La Belle Miette in Hardware Lane (come on now, with flavours like Pimms & Pomegranate or Cherry Blossom & Sake, why wouldn’t you?).
2. Eat the best baguette outside of Paris for a whopping FIVE BUCKS
Yes. You read correctly. You know how you go to some ‘French’ cafes in Melbourne and they serve filled baguettes for a million dollars (with a 10% surcharge on Sundays. It’s a rort, A RORT)? B3 Cafe Patisserie keeps it simple by dishing up some ridiculously tasty baguettes using the freshest ingredients, all for a measly five bucks. Or $3.50 for a halfa. C’est incroyable! Choose from Roast Beef, ham, salad, salmon, chicken (bbq, tandoori or schnitzel) and pull up a crate next to the dirty laneway that drips with graffiti and last night’s beer.
3. Watch a french film
Like La Princessa de Montpesier which is “based on a novella by the celebrated Madame de Lafayette. Acclaimed filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (Round Midnight) directs this lavish, lush and lustful romantic drama set in the high courts of 16th Century France”. It’s now showing at Nova Carlton.
4. See some burlesque
There’s also burlesque on Sunday at the Order of Melbourne. But seeing as we’re talking SATURDAY, hit Red Bennies for the Southside Show for a blissful tease of burlesque, cabaret, cirque and vaudeville.
5. Drink a Moulin Rouge Margarita
OK so margaritas are not French. Moulin Rouge is. And seeing as Moulin Rouge is in this cocktail’s name, it makes it French by default, d’accord? Tequila, Grand Marnier, Campari, fresh lemon and grapefruit juice: mmm….tangy. Get it at The Emerald Peacock.
Ohhhh….I just thought of more things like eat french fries with mayo, french kiss a stranger, hang out with a french bulldog, eat frenched lamb shanks…the list is endless, really, so you there’s no good excuse to not participate in It’s-Bastille-Day-But-Not Day. Unless you don’t like french stuff. Then you probably haven’t given a shit this entire post…sigh.
Bonne fête tardive Bastille!
* actually, it may not be the Top 5, but they’re the first 5 that came to mind…yes, I’ll change the title of the next Top 5 list if I get around to doing one ever again.
