Le Mot du Président

 Chers amis,

On 18 June, Lilias and Mike, with the help of Justin, Amazing Grapes Canberra, reopened their Centre de Vino-thérapie (Wine Therapy centre), much to the delight of 32 attendees, members and guests. Once again, it was a very pleasant and cheerful evening, full of all sorts of conversations; we were so caught up in our conversations that we only took one photo… but we all had a brilliant time!

It is nearly 14 July, so our Mouette is in a revolutionary mood and has decided to take our monthly newsletter by storm! Every year, 14 July transforms France’s towns and villages into one huge public celebration. Fireworks, firemen’s balls and military parades mark the day, but did you know that 14 July actually commemorates the Fête de la Fédération (Federation Day), celebrated on 14 July 1790, rather than the storming of the Bastille itself? This event symbolised the unity of the French people after a year of revolutionary upheaval, prioritising national cohesion over the violence of the siege. It was not until 1880 that 14 July was officially declared a national holiday, thanks to MP Benjamin Raspail. Before that, the date changed several times: 4 May, 30 June, 15 August… This final choice was intended to firmly anchor the Republic in the collective memory.

Since I am on the subject of the Bastille, here are two interesting facts:

• At the time of its storming, the Bastille held only seven prisoners, most of whom were there for debt or matters of honour; the insurgents’ real objective was primarily to seize the ammunition. The revolutionaries subsequently embellished the account to justify their actions.

• Pierre-François Palloy, a visionary entrepreneur, infiltrated the ranks of the attackers to negotiate the demolition of the fortress. In less than two days, he secured the contract and profited from the sale of the stones, whilst organising guided tours for two years!

July is not just about the storming of the Bastille; it is also the month to celebrate ‘Christmas’. From 10 to 19 July 2026, Sydney’s historic Rocks district will host the ‘Christmas in July’ festival. Over ten magical nights, visitors can wander amongst traditional European-style wooden chalets, where over 30 stallholders will be offering handmade gifts, seasonal treats, winter drinks and culinary experiences inspired by French, German and Alps Christmas markets. If you love snowflakes, sauerkraut, mulled wine and Christmas desserts, this is the place to be!

To add a touch of glamour to your programme, make a note that the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is hosting the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Cartier in Australia, from 12 June to 4 October 2026. The exhibition traces the evolution of the house, from its beginnings in Paris at the turn of the 20th century to its most contemporary creations.

I would also like to mention events taking place in our region, either because members of our Alliance Française are participating in them, or because they have a connection to France. I therefore strongly encourage you to go and enjoy:

Spirit Allegro “Sounds of the 60s” - tickets $15 at the door. Saturday 4 July 2:00pm, Wolumla Hall

Sunday 5 July 2:00pm, Nethercote Hall.  The Brainstorm - tickets https://events.humanitix.com/the-brainstorm/tickets

We have all heard of Victor Hugo and his works “Les Misérables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame*). In this show, Patrick Dickson invites us to dive into the boundless imagination of this extraordinary man. Combining storytelling, original music, and animated projections, the show explores the author’s tumultuous life and creative genius, offering a visually rich and theatrically inventive journey into the world of Victor Hugo.

Headland Theatre - Tathra Hotel Friday 7 August 7:00pm

Saturday 8 August 7:00pm

Sunday 9 August 2:00pm

I am counting on you all to come celebrate Bastille Day in style, dressed up as a legendary French figure of your choice and ready to have an unforgettable evening.

Bien à vous,

Sylvie

Le Mot du Président

 Coucou (Hello in French)!

I am writing this message from France, where Wal and I have walked 120 km along part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrims’ trail and where, after spending a few days full of fascinating discoveries in Paris, we are now with my family in Caen (Normandy). Caen is not far from ‘La Manche’ (the English Channel) and the beaches are a playground for the local seagulls; I came across one that was kind enough to pose for you!

As I am in France, my chitchat this month is very France-focused, hopefully you will be interested! When I am in France, memories buried beneath a mountain of silence resurface, it is hard for me to describe the emotion I feel, somewhere between happiness and the bittersweet pain of nostalgia, especially when I am in places I used to visit, or when I rediscover certain objects, dishes or food ingredients of my childhood. But don’t misunderstand my feelings, I take enormous pleasure in returning home to Australia.

During our walk, we had plenty of opportunities to have a picnic for lunch – ‘picnic’ is a funny word whose origin I didn’t know, so when Wal asked, I looked it up and am sharing our discovery with you: The origin of the word ‘pique-nique’ (picnic) is thought to date back to the 17th century, it is derived from the verb ‘piquer’, referring to chickens pecking at seeds, and ‘nique’, which in Old French meant ‘something of no value’. Put together, these two words therefore mean ‘pecking at little things here and there’. I really do think that the initial ‘pecking at little things’ has improved a great deal!

France has reached a new milestone, welcoming 102 million foreign visitors in 2025 (compared with 100 million in 2024). This increase confirms the trend seen in recent years. For the French, French cuisine is not just a pleasure; it is a cornerstone of their culture. A new Ipsos BVA survey reveals the French people’s deep-seated attachment to their culinary heritage. According to the study, almost all citizens (97%) have a positive opinion of French cuisine, a figure driven by 37% who rate it as ‘excellent’. The survey shows that food remains, more than ever, at the heart of the nation’s identity. This encourages me to share my monthly recipes with you, and this month’s recipe should whet your appetite.

I have heard that the barefoot bowling session went well despite some frustration that bowls wasn’t as easy as the 12 attending members and their 3 invited guests thought but the 2 hours passed quickly because it was fun and challenging. Here is what Mike said about it:

“It was cool for Barefoot Bowls, so Alliance members and friends kept their sneakers on. Under the domed roof at Club Sapphire we were dry while a shower passed overhead. After a brief introduction from “Spud’ we split into 3 groups and tried to get our bowls all the way to the jack, without going long into the gutter (36%), leaving it way too short (25%), starting the bowl too far to the right or left (25%) or getting the bias wrong and ending up on the next rink. Some members showed their experience and were pretty tidy, finishing their bowls quite close to the jack. Other less experienced members ... well, they improved over the session. Most of them ... There was some frustration that bowls wasn’t as easy as we thought but there were laughs and plenty of camaraderie. Come join us next time. Or come along to pétanque at 10am most Fridays.” To this Mike added “I need to be sacked. Had too much fun. Forgot to take even 1 photo !!!” I am sure you will all agree with me that we should keep him on a bit longer. What if we gave him another 20 years as a punishment? What do you think?

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon,

Avec toute mon amitié

Sylvie