Regional NSW patisserie owners Nathan and Enora Walker are baking an "abundance" of eclairs, croissants and pain au chocolat to celebrate France's national Bastille Day with the Armidale community.
"I'm going to start baking at 3.30am," Mr Walker said in the lead-up to the celebration.
They've invited the local francophiles to enjoy a menu of iconic cultural dishes including confit duck, pork and chicken terrine and fresh mussels at their downtown café.
"I think there's one man planning on coming down in a Napoleon costume," he said.
French-born Mrs Walker and her husband, a classically-trained Australian chef, moved to the northern NSW town of Armidale and opened their popular café in 2018.
The pair said they loved bringing French traditions to the regional town and sharing the Bastille Day celebrations with Armidale's vibrant community.
"The menu is a collection of our customers favourite dishes," Mr Walker said.
But the couple said their own Bastille Day celebrations begin after the café closes when they can open a bottle of champagne and a tin of foie gras.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Bastille Day celebrations around Australia
Celebrations for the French national day are planned throughout the country.
Sydney is hosting a four-day Bastille Day festival featuring French food, wine and art in Circular Quay and The Rocks and entry is free.
Brisbane's French Festival is on from July 21 to 23 at the South Bank Parklands. French-themed exhibitors, artists and live performances will be de rigeur.
South Australians can head down to the Adelaide Central markets for French delights on July 14 and 15.
Melburnians can celebrate at North Melbourne Meat Market on July 15 with a champagne-fuelled party or catch classic mime work by performer Rod Lara at Queen Victoria Markets.
"I love Bastille Day, Australians get to experience how rich French culture is," Mr Lara said.
Anna Houlahan
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
