Allo, allo! The Alliance Française French Market is back for 2023

Posted on 14 November, 2023

Imagine strolling through the charming streets of a French village, the aroma of freshly baked croissants teasing your senses, and the gentle notes of French jazz serenading your soul.

In your hand, a glass of sparkling bubbles, and before you, a vibrant marketplace laden with French delights. As you savor a warm baguette, paired with an exquisite French cheese, you can’t help but sigh contentedly, “This is the good life—la belle vie!”.

The exciting news is that you don’t need to hop on a plane to France to experience this dream because the Alliance Française French Market is back in Canberra on Saturday 2 December, promising to transport you to the heart of France without leaving the city.

This annual event is a culinary and cultural extravaganza, boasting over 25 stalls that offer an array of French delicacies and fine products. Whether you’re a seasoned Francophile or just curious about French cuisine, this market is your one-stop shop for all things French. From sumptuous wines and cheeses to saucissons, truffles, baguettes, croissants, and chocolate, you’ll find everything to satisfy your gastronomic desires. And that’s not all; there are stalls dedicated to infusing a touch of French elegance into your life with napery, clothing, books, artworks, and jewellery.

Stall holders from across Australia converge in Canberra to offer the best of France to our city. The atmosphere mirrors that of a quintessential French market, blending fresh, high-quality produce, art, crafts, fashion, and tableware and if you listen closely you’ll hear the sweet sound of French being spoken among the stallholders and our many French-speaking patrons.

The French Market is designed to be a day of fun for the entire family. Throughout the day, live music will fill the air, setting the perfect backdrop for your French-inspired adventure. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids engaged in a ‘Frenchy’ way. You can introduce your children to the beauty of the French language through live fairy tale readings in both French and English.

Rest assured, there’s no shortage of fun for adults either. It’s the ideal occasion to try your hand at Pétanque, the Provençale way, all while sipping a delightful glass of pastis liqueur.

Intriguingly, this year’s French Market offers some exciting new features to elevate your experience. DJ Dede da Cruz will be providing a lively soundtrack throughout the day, ensuring that vibrant rhythms envelop the market. You can tap your feet and dance along to the tunes or simply soak in the ambiance.

Another highlight of this year’s event is the Aboriginal painting workshop led by Dale Hudson. This workshop is a unique opportunity to discover the rich culture and artistic traditions of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Participants can engage in hands-on activities and create their own Aboriginal-inspired artwork, adding a fascinating blend of indigenous art to the French cultural celebration.

If all this French-infused fun ignites a desire to embrace the “language of love,” the Alliance’s team of French teachers will be on hand to provide guidance on the best language classes for you. Even better, you can enroll on the spot, ready to embark on your French learning journey in the coming year, and enjoy a special 10% discount.

So, whether you’re drawn to the enchanting flavors of French cuisine, the captivating rhythms of French music, the artistry of Aboriginal culture, or the allure of the French language, the 2023 Alliance Française French Market in Canberra promises to be an unforgettable celebration of La belle vie.

French lessons and French liqueur? It’s a resounding “oui, oui!” to a day brimming with French-inspired delights and culture. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this delightful fusion of French and Australian traditions at this year’s French Market!