July 13th and 14th will mark the 2024 edition of the Bastille Day French Festival. Every year the Festival holds exclusive Masterclasses where you can be immersed in French culture. You will have the opportunity to titillate your taste buds, pick up a new skill and learn about the French savoir faire.
Saturday 13 July – All Things French with Fragrance
Hosted by fashion doyenne Christine Barro, you will be delighted with stories on the heroes of Haute Couture and expert instruction on the selection of a signature French scent, enjoyed with French champagne and festive macarons. This is an exclusive masterclass not to be missed!
Saturday 13 July – L’Oréal Groupe’s Look & Learn
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 July Cheese and Wine Pairing
This is a unique masterclass experience where we’ll be pairing exquisite cheeses with the finest French wines, curated by none other than Ivan, the renowned cheesemaker and founder of Longpaddock Cheese, also known as the “Cheese Whisperer”. Alongside him is Thomas, the visionary founder of Mosaique Wines, bringing the best of French wines to Australia. In this one hour-long masterclass, you will savour 5 wines and 5 cheeses, offering insights and expertise that promise to elevate your palate.
Sunday 14 July The Art of Fashion – An Introduction to Fashion Drawing
10:00 am at Veriu Queen Victoria Market 91/101 Therry St, MelbourneTicket Cost: $30 + GST and fees- Book here!
Sunday 14 July The Tour de France of Spirits
Presented by Cerbaco, this immersive experience invites you to discover six distinct spirits from different regions of France. Uncover the secrets of 6 spirits, including Cognac and Absinthe, directly from the heart of France. Reserve your spot now for the Tour de France of Spirits and savor the best of France!
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Veriu Queen Victoria Market, 91/101 Therry St. Please book your ticket here.
Walking Tour: French Icons in Melbourne
The Bastille Day French Festival Walking Tours are a fun event for all ages to celebrate and re-visit the City of Melbourne with a French eye. Join us to discover all the French icons you may have missed right in the heart of the city.
You can choose from four sessions
Saturday, 13 July from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Saturday, 13 July from 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM.
Sunday, 14 July from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Sunday, 14 July from 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM.
The departure is from the Queen Victoria Market hub. Meet 15 minutes prior to departure. Be prepared to walk a bit and enjoy some French touches along the way… L’Occitane… La Belle Miette and many more… Finish at the Sofitel Hotel. All senses awakened!
The tours are in English, and you need to book!
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Besides the Masterclasses, there are also the LES LUMIÈRES events of the Bastille Day French Festival – please refer to our other article.
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And don’t forget two workshops at the Hellenic Museum on Sunday 14 July:
- Workshop: Handling Olympic Torches
This event will take place on Sunday, July 14th, from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM or from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM at the Hellenic Museum, 280 William Street, Melbourne.
Get up close and discover a selection of original Olympic torches. Learn more about the history of the Olympic, the history of the Olympic flame relay, and the design of the torches with the museum educators, before having the opportunity to hold a torch yourself.
Proudly sponsored by the University of Melbourne and supported by the French Embassy and the Hellenic Museum. This event is free, but be sure to reserve your places right here.
- Workshop: Lets’ the Games Begin! For children aged 7 to 11.
This event will take place on Sunday, July 14th, from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM or from 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM at the Hellenic Museum, 280 William Street, Melbourne.
Join this action-packed workshop for children to discover the glory of the ancient Olympic Games. Participate in a reenactment of the ancient pentathlon, including a stadium race, wrestling, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.
Children must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.
Proudly sponsored by the University of Melbourne and supported by the French Embassy and the Hellenic Museum. Reserve your tickets right here.
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LAST BUT NOT LEAST… The French Trivia: Did You Know?
Held on Thursday 11 July from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, you can have fun with this quiz during your lunch break!
Test your knowledge of French culture with our annual Bastille Day Festival quiz!
Join us for this online quiz and challenge yourself through four rounds diving into History and Geography, Gastronomy and Wine, Pop Culture, and the Olympics of course!
Whether you represent the French, the Francophones, or the Francophiles, this is your chance to earn bragging rights …and much more! There will also be surprise prizes to win, so don’t miss this opportunity.
Mark this date in your calendar, sign up now and have fun!