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Let's be honest: a trip from Melbourne to France typically involves a long-haul flight, some serious cash and a hefty portion of your annual leave. But if you’re a Melb-based Francophile craving a French fix but can’t commit to the journey, we’ve got just the thing. This October, Melbourne will become the first city outside of France to host Château Merveilles – a spectacular immersive dining experience that will transport guests from the Palace of Versailles to the Loire Valley without technically leaving South Wharf.
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Making its international debut at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Thursday, October 22, Château Merveilles is part lavish dinner party, part digital art and immersive theatre experience. Across more than 3,000 square metres of immersive projection space, guests will feast on French delights inside a constantly shifting 360-degree world where towering projections, cinematic storytelling and surround-sound design recreate some of France's most famous cultural landmarks. Think the grandeur of Versailles, the masterpieces of the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley – all unfolding around your dinner table.
Created by French experiential powerhouse Allegria Agency, the ambitious production has already built a reputation as one of the largest immersive gastronomic events ever created, welcoming more than 1,000 guests for a single evening. Melbourne was chosen to launch the experience's world tour thanks to its solid rep as Australia's culinary and cultural capital, as well as its thriving French community.
“It's the first major immersive dinner on a world tour,” says Allegria Agency's Jean-Pierre Ferrand. “Imagine a grand gala dinner where the walls come to life – a 360-degree projection that transports you to the heart of Versailles, the Louvre and the Loire castles.”
Wondering what to expect on the food front? The feast itself sounds every bit as impressive as the visuals. French-born chef Guillaume Brahimi has created a four-course menu for the evening, with acclaimed chefs Pierrick Boyer and Quentin Zerr on pastries. And, of course, the drinks will be top-tier and of the wine persuasion: expect premium French Champagne and vino pairings to accompany every course.
Beyond the spectacle, the event also has a philanthropic focus. A portion of ticket sales will support the French Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation (FACEF), a binational organisation dedicated to strengthening artistic and cultural ties between Australia and France through grants, partnerships and creative collaborations.
As you’d expect, tickets don't come cheap – $658 plus GST per person. But if you’ve got the cash to splash on an extravagant collision of fine dining, immersive art and French culture, it’s probably worth splashing it here.
Château Merveilles will take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for one night only on Thursday, October 22. You can learn more and book over here.
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