I've decided that I love Melbourne. As a very young adult I lived in several different suburbs of Melbourne, Brunswick, Coburg, Airport west, Kew, to name a few. I can remember it being busy, sometimes fun, sometimes lonely, and of course multicultural. Fast forward 35 years ( omg. Is it really that long???) and having spent most part of 23 years in sunny Queensland, I have found a new appreciation for the lovely old city. ( old in Australian terms, anyway)
.
.
Last week I holidayed in Melbourne. Whilst hubby headed to work , I fossicked around the city centre, even being daring enough to use the trams! I went very prepared, with a lists of places to visit and things to see, and of course, they were mainly of a French flavor.
First stop :
A coffee at Shannon Bennett's Cafe Vue, Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne. Shannon is an acclaimed Australian chef, who offers several french dining experiences around Melbourne.
A coffee at Shannon Bennett's Cafe Vue, Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne. Shannon is an acclaimed Australian chef, who offers several french dining experiences around Melbourne.
 |
| Even at the Melbourne International Airport. |
I came across this very french pattisserie in 458 Little Collins St... Le petit Gateau, but being a little too early to indulge, I continued on....
I made my way toward Bourke Street Mall, wanting to check out the current Myer window showcase....I was tickled pink to find an over-sized Eiffel Tower postcard taking front position....surely addressed to me :)
Being in town, I thought I would catch up with a former work colleague, who happens to be the counter manager for Guerlain...ohhh how french! I was treated to wonderful creams and perfume.I'm especially loving 'La petite robe noire' (The little black dress) ....soft and feminine.
One evening we went for a stroll down Swanston Street, where we came across this gorgeous flower ....well I'm going to call it a flower boutique... just because I want to! It was in full bloom, beautiful and of course reminded me of all the alluring flower stores in France.
What's this???...you mean to say Australia has historical architecture???.. I do believe I have been living on the Gold Coast waaaaaaaaayyyy too long!!
 |
| The beautiful St Paul's cathedral, Flinders Street. |
 |
| The entrance to Flinders Street train station. (sorry for photo quality) |
After having had a couple of 'pub' meals, it was time to take it up a notch. I had done a little research and decided on Le Bergerac in King St. What a treat! We found the food sublime , although I could be a little biased, it is french after all, and I soaked up the authentic french atmosphere. For those of you unfamiliar with Bergerac, it is a city in the Dordogne area of France, well known for its wonderful wines.
 |
| Le Bergerac restaurant |
Part of our stay was at Seasons Heritage apartments on St Kilda Rd. Lovely outlook, comfortable rooms, convenient to everything and helpful staff, pity it has a slight 'faulty towers' feel to it! Mainly the television would keep switching itself off...something to do with ' power savers', plus once I got the air-conditioning working I couldn't turn it OFF..so it basically counteracted the saving on the tele :). but I would definitely stay there again, simply for its entrance.........
 |
| I can not resist a beautiful chandelier! |
 |
| yellowyelloweggs.blogspot.com |
So, I would have to say that I definitely found sufficient french flavour in Melbourne to see me through for awhile :)
A bientôt, Gigi
