Grab a beret and practice your best Audrey Tautou impression because Fed Square is turning French this winter – celebrating the joie de vivre the country is famous for across six weeks of events, activities and exhibitions.
Melbourne’s famous square will become a bastion of French history, art, music, cinema, food and fine wine from Bastille day on July 14 through to early September.
During that time, you can check out the Australian debut of ‘The Knot’, a massive installation by French artist Cyril Lancelin. Presented by major partner Tango Energy, ‘The Knot’ takes its name quite literally, encouraging visitors to take an immersive walk through a giant inflatable pink artwork in the shape of a tangled piece of wool.
Across select weekends in August, wandering mystical creatures will come out after dark. Combining art, engineering and puppetry, these fun-loving Curious Creatures will take over the square.
For two days on July 16 and 17, the Bastille Day Festival will see Fed Square transformed into a busy marketplace offering up the crème de la crème of French cheeses, pastries, mulled wine, crêpes, saucissons and of course, Champagne. Learn more about French culture with a series of talks discussing history, art, culture and sustainability, and impress your next dinner party guests with a masterclass in wine and cheese.
Fancy relaxing with a film? Frenchy Weekends Film Festival, presented in partnership with Alliance Française de Melbourne, will run from August 27 to September 5. Before each screening will be a specially curated musical act ready to set the scene for the film ahead. The films have an emphasis on French musical greats such as Charles Aznavour and Serge Gainsbourg and concert films shot in famous French locations.
If you're looking for a more interactive experience, the Frenchy Fed Free Workshops series runs over August and September in partnership with Alliance Française de Melbourne. There are Craft Workshops suitable for kids, and boozy art classes for adults. Learn how to host a quintessentially French party, and take part in a lively discussion about what's considered passé in French culture. Register online for free to secure your spot.
This is the closest most of us will get to a stroll down the Champs Elysées for some time, so check out the full program of entertainment and events at the Fed Square website.