Twice a year, Coasties are treated to a slice of French chic in their backyard when the French Country Market rolls into town.
Think baguettes in baskets, French fries in cardboard cones, vintage Champagne ice buckets, soap from Marseille and lavender galore at the superb markets du jour.
For a couple of bucks and a “bonjour”, you’ll be transported to a petite province of France at Springfield’s Chertsey Primary School.
Lavender at the French Country Market
Follow the red, blue and white bunting down to the school’s oval where you’ll find the Coast’s Francophiles sorting through a melange of French goodies like Cafe de Paris cushions and Le Chat Noir and Moulin Rouge trinkets.
There’s racks of striped retro dresses and spotty shirts that wouldn’t look amiss on a Parisian boulevard, vintage jugs and coffee pots that could have come from a French farmhouse and pales straight from the garden of a humble maison.
Parisian cushions at the Trouve market stall
You might also find French-themed shortbread (perhaps an Eiffel Tower or Can Can skirt), country-style cold cuts, mouth-watering macarons and artistic eclairs.
Strolling amongst the bric-a-brac, baskets and brocante to the melodies of French folk music, the aroma of café and pomme frites filling the air, is pure and simple joie de vivre.
Viva la French Country Market!
Baguettes at the French Country Market
This year’s French Country Market will be held at Chertsey Primary School, Springfield, on Saturday May 12 and Saturday November 10 – just in time for Mother’s Day and some early Christmas shopping.
Coastal Chic Tip: Don’t forget to bring $2 for entry and visit the ATM before you go.
