Testimonials - French Lessons
French Collection
“When I was accepted at late notice into an exchange program to France, at first I was immediately thrilled, then I had a worrying thought – how am I going to learn French in 6 weeks?!  Thank you Gay, you went above and beyond my expectations from our very first contact.”
Testimonials - Accommodation
French Collection
Hotel Edward 1st: I loved Edward 1st, obviously the most opulent accommodation in the charming village of Monpazier . The room we had on the first floor was light,  spacious and stylishly presented. You looked out onto the front garden and entrance. The food was absolutely delicious and dining room decor cool. I want to go to Monpazier and stay there again.
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We find that many people who love France and the French culture, are often thirsty to indulge this passion when they’re at home, whether this be by way of trying out a new French restaurant, attending a French related event, finding a supplier of French related products or services, or getting a glimpse of the historical connections between Australia and France.

So, we’re progressively adding content to serve these indulgences:  hope you enjoy.

By the way, if you’d like to contribute to any of these themes or have new ideas for content, please send us your ideas via the contact form – we’ll be ever so grateful.

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French B&B in VIC

Traditional B&B located in Maldon, Victoria.  Hosts, Marie and Didier will welcome you to “Rendez-vous” at the Old Eaglehawk Bed and Breakfast where you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, warm and friendly genuine country hospitality and tasty traditional French food – both for dinner and breakfast.

Our Previous Newsletters
French/Australia News

France’s Captain Cook

Excerpt: French explorer Dumont d'UrvilleNineteenth century French explorer Jules-Sébastien-César Dumont d’Urville discovered parts of Antarctica, catalogued some 5,000 new species for the first time and took part in a mission to claim parts of Australia for France. D’Urville, sometimes called France’s Captain Cook, was one of the great explorers of the age of sail. He is particularly remembered for his Pacific voyages, New Zealand surveys and his two Antarctic descents. His extraordinary life is covered in the book by Edward Duyker. 

 

Truffle Wars: Australia Equals France

At Manhattan’s Per Se restaurant one recent evening, star chef Thomas Keller addressed a group of gourmands waiting to tuck into a menu featuring fresh, black Australian truffles in every course–down to and including, for desert, a truffled ice cream float. Luckily there were no Frenchmen present. For had there been, what Keller had to say would have surely made them toss their madeleines.

Comparing the finest French black Perigord truffles to these interlopers from Down Under, Keller said: “It’s hard to tell which one is better.”   Read more.    Source: Alan Farnham via Good Morning America

 

Lock of Napoleon’s hair stolen in Australia source – GMA News Online

Victoria – a lock of Napoleon Bonaparte’s hair and other “priceless” artifacts linked to the French emperor have been stolen from a Mornington Peninsula museum in Australia. The stolen items included a ring and (a glass frame) containing Napoleon’s hair, a ribbon inscribed by Napoleon in 1815 and a snuff box. The museum said the collection was put together by descendants of Englishman Alexander Balcombe, who met Napoleon during his exile on the island of St Helena from 1815 until his death six years later. The Balcombe family became good friends with the emperor and Balcombe settled in Australia in 1846.  Read more …

 

Forever young … Lt William Chisholm is buried in France Source: News Corp Australia

French authorities believe they have identified the first Australian to have died during World War I as they prepare to honour the sacrifice made by the then “young nation” from the other side of the world. More info

French chefs wake up to Australia’s ‘no boundaries’ cuisine source  Agence France-PresseParis 

Drawn by a no-holds-barred culinary culture that has produced creative East-West blends, French Michelin-starred cooks have been travelling to Australia for stints at kitchens Down Under.  More info

Sacré bleu!   French invasion plan for Sydney

More has emerged about a little-known French proposal to invade the British colony at Sydney Cove more than two centuries ago. Historians have often speculated that until Nelson defeated Napoleon’s navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, France had plans to invade Sydney. Now researchers from Adelaide University say they have proof. For the first time they have translated into English a confidential report from one of the explorers on the Nicholas Baudin expedition of the early 1800s. Read more