Your 48-hour guide to experiencing Paris in Bendigo

You don’t need to go all the way to France to get a taste of Paris this autumn.

Culture, food, amour and art. Paris draws in travellers from all over with its heady mix that remains unchanging. But in 2024, you can skip the long journey – instead, head to Country Victoria for Bonjour Bendigo.

This exciting program of events and experiences celebrates all things Parisian and is centred around Bendigo Art Gallery’s exclusive international exhibition, Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925 – a one-off exhibition that gives us one more reason to go to Wotif’s Aussie Town of the Year for 2024.

“This is a rare opportunity for audiences to take a promenade through turn-of-the-century Paris, a dynamic time when the city courted the attention of the world,” says Jessica Bridgfoot, the Director of Bendigo Art Gallery.

Read our 48-hour guide to discover how to live la vie romantique in Bendigo, and experience all that makes the city of love and light so special.

See the art, then join in workshops from cheese making to painting.

Day One

9am: Once you arrive after the two-hour drive from Melbourne (or flight in from Sydney), kick off the weekend like a true Francophile with a French Picnic Pack from Beechworth Bakery. Complete with croissants, jam and cream, fresh strawberries, and an adorable Eiffel Tower cookie, it’s the perfect start to your two days of everything Paris.

And bien sûr, it comes with a coffee – a must for upping your energy for all the upcoming activities.

Try an Eiffel Tower cookie from Beechworth Bakery.

10am: It’s time for the main event, the ‘Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925’ at Bendigo Art Gallery. Here, works are on loan from the oldest municipal museum in Paris, the Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris, creating an exciting exhibition which won’t be shown anywhere else in Australia.

Head to the incredible Bendigo Art Gallery.

Seven themed pathways will take you on an exploration through the city of light and romance during the magical Belle Époque period. Advertising posters made famous by artists such as the legendary Henri de Toulouse Lautre, ephemera-like artistic shop signs, elegant fine dining menus and exquisite selections of haute couture will complement the exquisite 90 paintings on display.

This Parisian artistic experience will be completed for you with moving images and original recordings of street sounds and contemporary stars to immerse you in the world of Parisian nightlife.

Paul Delance,The Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars(La Tour Eiffel et la Champs-de-Mars)1889,oil on canvas.Musée Carnavalet.CC0Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet–Histoire de Paris.

12:30pm: With your step count already way up, it’s time to sit back and relax with the special ‘Déjeuner à Alium’: a French lunch that is changed weekly at Alium – located just 200 metres from the Bendigo Art Gallery. Expect classic French dishes and desserts like Chateaubriand tenderloin and exquisite Crème Brûlée, which can be paired with French wines or cocktails.

Eat a French lunch at Alium.

2:30pm: Once your French taste buds have been suitably tickled, it’s time to drive over to Balgownie Estate Winery Glamping and Accommodation. Check-in and check out your safari tent before the next Bonjour Bendigo event on your itinerary.

Treat yourself to French Cheese & Balgownie Wine Flights.

3pm: Nab the last spot of the day ahead of time for the French Cheese & Balgownie Wine Flights, with its four French cheeses and wine varietals. Fancy something a little different? You can also book a tasting that features their limited edition Balgownie Cabernet Franc.

5pm: Retire to one of the glamorous bell tents for a well-deserved afternoon snooze or to soak in the outdoor bathtub on the outdoor deck of your Luxury Safari Tent.

Glamp in the onsite bell tents.

7pm: If you haven’t over-indulged in the wine tasting, or have a designated driver or taxi organised, head back into town for an exploration of the other French-inspired feasts and festivities. There are French-inspired drinks at Bendigo’s only rooftop bar, Nimbus, as well as ‘Impressions of Paris: Cocktail Edition’ at The Dispensary, which has food from everything from salt and pepper crab to Sichuan beef tartare.

Rather stay in? As well as a cellar door, Balgownie also has a menu crafted from regional produce in their restaurant overlooking their vineyard.

Head out to Nimbus for a nightcap.

Day Two

9am: Start slow with a plate of French Toast at Balgownie, before checking out and continuing on your fin de semaine française.

10am: You’ve seen the works of ‘Paris: Impressions of Life 1880 – 1925’. Now there is a chance to understand how the art actually ‘works’ with an interactive display that explores the intersection of art and science.

‘Pointillism to Pixelation: The Evolution of Art & Science’ at Discovery Science and Technology Centre uses the example of the Pointillism-style of painting (conceived in Paris between 1880 – 1925), to interrogate how advancements in science have revolutionised the way we create and perceive art.

Treat yourself at Treacy Patisserie.

11am: Did someone say sugar break? Indulge Chocolates and Treacy Patisserie are both celebrating the famous French sweet tooth. The former will be dishing out Belgian Chocolates, hot chocolates and Parisian grey teas, while Treacy will be serving St Honoré, Éclair, and Paris-Brest pastries. If you can’t get enough of these tasty treats, Treacy is holding a Macaron Masterclass: A Taste of Paris so you can try your hand at these French delicacies.

12pm: Go opposite Bendigo Art Gallery for the ‘Bonjour Lunch’ at Ms Batterhams. A set menu at $59pp, it includes French wine that goes with iconic delicacies such as snails with watercress garnish, duck pâté, fish a la dugléré and a creme brûlée or Paris Brest for dessert.

Indulge in French desserts at Ms Batterhams.

2pm: Time to shop up a storm. Many of Bendigo’s shops are saying Vive la France! with special collections that nod towards the Bonjour Bendigo festivities. This includes Parisian-inspired locally made products with La Boutique Souvenirs at Uniquely Bendigo (part of the Bendigo Visitor Centre).

If you are exploring Bendigo with kids, Mr Good Times will have a large Eiffel Tower made from Connetix magnetic tiles in their shop window to delight, as well as their usual collection of toys, books and gifts.

Tea addicts can stop by Hoo-gah Cafe, Indulge Chocolates or Bendigo Visitor Centre to purchase Tea Associates’ Parisian Grey Tea. For more, search for the La Boutique section on the Bonjour Bendigo website.

Celebrate your last Bonjour Bendigo night at The Shiraz Republic Winery.

5pm: Drive to The Shiraz Republic Winery for your last night celebrating Bonjour Bendigo. Once you’ve settled in, you can check out the ‘Biere de Garde’ at their Cornella Brewery, a traditional French-style sparkling ale that is brewed onsite.

Once you’ve tried out the small-batch creation (there are only 600 bottles), keep it casual with the cellar door’s pizza menu for dinner. If you’re lucky, you will also catch some live music before heading to your bed – luckily, this won’t even involve a change of location as you’ll find Shiraz Republic self-contained cabins right next to their vines. The quaint accommodations are set up for singles, doubles and accessibility needs.

Stay the night in self-contained cabins.

Day Three

It’s time to head home, but not without taking a bit of France with you. Heathcote boasts the double-hatted French restaurant, Chauncy. It was awarded The Age Good Food Guide’s Regional Restaurant of the Year, thanks to its seasonal Menu du Jour, changing regularly each season.

Make a last stop at Chauncy.

Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925 is the latest instalment in the Bendigo International Collections exhibitions delivered with support from the Victorian Government. It runs from 16 March to 14 July 2024. Find out more at Bendigo Art Gallery. For many more events and one-off offerings, head to the Bonjour Bendigo website.