Crêpes, croissants and champagne will be flowing again as the Total Brisbane French Festival returns to South Bank this July, celebrating the best food, wine and music France has to offer.
Held over two jam-packed days, the festival will take over South Bank’s Cultural Forecourt to celebrate La Fête Nationale or Bastille Day. Now in its fifth year, the Festival will celebrate all things French; including gastronomy, arts, performance, music, fashion, sweet and savory treats, wine, liquor, products and services.
Among the honorary Ambassadors for this year’s festival will be internationally renowned French Chef Gabriel Gaté, who says the Festival is a great community initiative, granting locals the opportunity to savour the French culture in its entirety. “France is a country that boasts the most exciting variety of ingredients – nowhere else in the world has such a wide variety of traditional and native foods including exquisite wines, cheese, liquors, charcuterie, nougat and seafood.
“France has a very special culture that is much loved by people from around the world, so it is nice to be an ambassador for the country at a Festival that truly embraces the French way of life.”
Gabriel says the Festival is also a great way for French citizens living in Australia to ‘get back to their roots’ by sharing their homeland knowledge and culture with their friends and family. “Even though we are a long way from France, it is nice to share the experience with Australians at a Festival like this.”
Total Brisbane French Festival Director Betty Moinet says the weekend is a great opportunity for Queenslanders to recognise France’s contribution to Queensland’s cultural vibrancy. “After four successful years, we have worked hard to ensure this year’s festival is the biggest and best yet, so we are pleased to have support from Total to continue the two-day event.
“This year will see the wine and liquor pavilion back by popular demand (and bigger!), where visitors can enjoy champagne sabering demonstrations and wine tasting with French wine experts... New additions to the festival include French master classes and cooking lessons, various demonstrations of French cuisine, as well as a brand new entertainment program set to be revealed soon... Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in the Festival’s raffle with major prizes including a Air France trip to Paris, Air Tahiti trip to Papete and a luxurious weekend at the famous Brisbane Sofitel.”
Brisbane French Festival will be held at the Cultural Forecourt, South Bank Parklands, 11 & 12 July. 
