Bastille Day

The choice to move to Australia six years ago was a simple one for Amalia Hernandez. It all came down to lifestyle for the manager of Sydney’s Park Hyatt Florist. “Sydney is a pretty amazing city,” she says. Everything in Paris is so busy and difficult and expensive, and people are depressed. When you come to Sydney, you find that everyone is much more relaxed and life is so much easier.”

Fortunately for the growing French community in Sydney, being an expat doesn’t mean that you need to forgo the familiar comforts of home. French patisseries, bistros, film festivals and the ongoing cultural efforts of the Alliance Francaise mean that living French in the city of harbours is easier than you’d imagine.

Eat
For Hernandez, there are three things guaranteed to cure homesickness, “French baguettes with some butter, going to a French restaurant or watching French films. That’s what I do.” We are spoilt for choice when is comes to excellent bread in this city. Places like Victoire and Brasserie Bread offer up the kind of artisan baked goods that visit you in your dreams, but for Hernandez, when the cravings strike, it’s got to be Iggy’s. “I really like the simplicity. They don’t go too crazy on poppy seeds or anything like that. Then I will buy the best French butter, Échiré or maybe Lescure and that’s all I need.”

For a bistro meal that brings a little bit of neighbourhood Paris to a wintry Sydney evening Hernandez heads for Sel et Poirve in Darlinghurst. “When I want really nice, French, brasserie-style food I like to go here. I order the steak tartare – it’s raw beef and it has a fresh egg inside and you just eat it like that with potatoes. It probably sounds disgusting but it’s very French and I don’t see it many places in Sydney.

Watch
Come March, the French Film Festival is in full swing, but French films are also released with surprising regularity throughout the year. Failing that, Hernandez stocks up on DVDs for a rainy day. “There’s a shop in Surry Hills where I buy my DVDs called Title. They have a very good collection of French films."

Party
For a late-night French vibe, nothing can beat music and wine. “There are a few jazz clubs that remind me of the Parisienne vibe," says Hernandez. "505 is a good one – it’s pretty intimate and there’s very cool bands there.” 

Learn
Those looking to go full Francophile should make their first port of call Alliance Francaise, a language school and café. It has a French library and also hosts regular film screenings, talks, concerts, classes and dinners.

Shop
Decorate your apartment at Ici et La, which stocks striped deck chairs, fabric, espadrilles, furniture and general objet de charme. Go chic at Assin, where you’ll find beautifully constructed designs from the likes of Dior Homme and Maison Martin Margiela. And stock up on Lanvin, Carven, Isabel Marant and other high-end French labels at The Corner Shop.

Bastille day events

Bastille Day Soiree
North Sydney	Celebrate Bastille Day at the Union Hotel with a five-course degustation menu and the option of matching wines. And don't forget to watch the colourful, talented Can-Can dancers after your meal!
Bastille Day Sydney
The Rocks	Whether you’re French or just a lover of French culture, head down to the Argyle this Bastille Day to celebrate in style. Kick off the night with table tennis, spin your pins in a cycling competition or pucker up get and get a mini make over at one of the make up stalls.
Bastille Day at Felix
Sydney	Head to Felix on Saturday July 14 and celebrate Bastille Day with a special set menu that has been put together by Head Chef Nathan Johnson.

Tony Bilson's French lunch
La Perouse	Renowned chef Tony Bilson has risen like a Phoenix and is flapping his fiery wings in the suburbs. Bilson has created a special menu for Bastille Day at Danny's Seafood Restaurant in La Perouse where he has been cooking of late