La Belle Vie French Market
Whilst we can’t get to France right now, we are so lucky to have plenty of opportunities to experience snippets of France in Sydney and surrounding area. Of course, the other states of Australia also embrace France with markets, festivals and shows throughout the year.
Arriving at Taren Point Public School for ‘La Belle Vie French Market’
Last Sunday provided another local opportunity for a French experience. ‘La Belle Vie French Market’ is organised by the Taren Point Public School French Immersion Program and it's community partnership with the Francophone Association of Southern Sydney (FASS).
Enjoying the atmosphere of the market
Smoke from current hazard reduction burning of bushland and a heavy fog cover wasn’t the best start to the morning but the temperature continued to climb and, by the time we reached Taren Point Public School, it was warm and sunny. Not bad for the 2nd of May and just perfect for a lovely French market in Sydney.
After the long journey from the Blue Mountains, our first stop was coffee that I ordered from ‘Alexander Roastery’ while Chris went off to locate ‘TonTon Bread’ and was patiently waiting in a very long queue when I found him. Obviously very popular, customers were buying up big and so did we. Our purchases included a plain baguette, a vanilla Paris Flan, an apple turnover and a plain croissant. The latter two were perfect accompaniments to our coffee. French music was drifting across the school yard and, on such a beautiful day, everyone was in a happy mood.
Feeling refreshed, we headed across to check out the Citroën Car club exhibit. A delightful white with blue stripe 2CV caught my eye and I chatted to the owner about his beloved BIJOU, which he has owned for five years. She is a limited addition 1983 Citroën 2CV, built to celebrate the America’s Cup and only 2000 of these special cars were made. Citroën sponsored a yacht in the Defi Francais, skipped by Marc Pajot. For every car sold, Citroen provided some money for the upkeep of the boat.
Citroën 2CV (1948-90)
The 2CV was designed in the 1930s with a starting handle, single headlight and corrugated bodywork. It included independent suspension and Michelin’s radial tyres. When production ceased in 1990, almost 4 million had been built.
https://www.citromuseum.com/1/visite/visite2cv/2cv6-france3-1983-26303-km/
Back to the market stalls, I made a beeline for ‘French Affair’ and introduced myself to Sue. I have been subscribing to her newsletter for a while and it was lovely to meet her in person. Sue sells a wonderful array of beautiful French linen tablecloths, placemats, table runners and tea towels. However, what I had my eye on, was a gorgeous cushion cover with colours to compliment our green leather lounge at home and bring a touch of Provence to our living room. I was very happy to pick up the exact one I wanted and with a cushion insert too … tick and tick. Sue sells many more delightful French gifts, including an array of differently scented soaps and hand creams. Give yourself a treat and visit her website where you can purchase online or, if you live in Sydney, you will find details of the markets that she attends.
Sue from ‘French Affair’ and moi
Our new cushion in place
I had a fun chat about military medicinal practices with these gentlemen from ‘1er Regiment d’Artillerie de la marine’
Some gentlemen from the ‘1er Regiment d’Artillerie de la marine', dressed in period costume, are involved in re-enactments at La Perouse where they get together and fire cannons … cool! La Perouse, a coastal suburb of Sydney, is named after the French explorer, Comte de Lapérouse, who landed there in 1788, only a week after Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet. The gentlemen, here at the market, showed me some medical instruments that would have been used on the battlefields and, enthusiastically, described their uses. No anaesthetic was available. Requirements for surgery: 1. A willing participant, 2. A strong leather belt might be used to secure you during the procedure and 3. Some alcohol could be consumed pre-surgery but not too much … otherwise they would bleed to death from dilated capillaries.
Medical kit
C’est moi with Robbie and Patrick from ‘Walking and Food Tours’
‘Walking and Food Tours’ is an Australian company that is owned by the extremely friendly couple, Robbie and Patrick. They conduct walking tours in the beautiful Béarn Valley of the Pyrénées where, coincidentally, we were lucky enough to spend some time in 2015. Patrick originates from this valley, near Pau in South-western France. They have tours planned for 2022 and, also, own a cottage in the area, which is available for rent. They plan to be at this year’s Bastille Market to be held in Bowral on Sunday 4 July.
It was quite nice to find that Patrick had remembered meeting us, sixteen months previously, at the French Christmas Markets in Willoughby.
‘French Books on Wheels (Le Van du Livre)’ travels around NSW bringing access to the French language
I perused the books on offer from ‘French Books on Wheels (Le Van du Livre)’ thinking that I would purchase something for our grandchildren as we like to try to teach them some French. Choosing from such a lovely selection was quite difficult.
C’est moi trying to choose which book to purchase
https://www.frenchbooksonwheels.org/
I’ll catch up with them at the Bastille Markets in Bowral on 4th July.
