Embracing the French Sunday

If your Sundays are spent frantically washing, grocery shopping and meal prepping for the week ahead, the French would tell you, you’re doing it wrong. In France, productivity has no place in your day of rest, with many shops closed – and nobody up in arms about it.

Intentionally languid, low-stress and filled with family, food and aimless strolls, French Sundays are an institution. Brunch plans? Far too much pressure. Sleep in instead, then savour a croissant.

To-do lists are out, and daydreaming is in. Other approved activities include browsing farmer’s markets, doing a puzzle while listening to music and, *bien sûr, making time for some romance.

Here's how to have the perfect French Sunday.

* of course

Book It: Nouvelle Vague

Putting a chic twist on ‘80s new wave and punk tracks from the likes of Joy Division, The Cure and Depeche Mode, French musical project Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) is headed back to our shores. For one night in only, they’ll bring their bossa nova-style covers to the Tivoli in Fortitude Valley.

Not familiar? Get a taste of their sultry vibe below.

Tickets start at $99, and *les portes ouvriront at 7 pm on October 1st. We’ll see you there

Nouvelle Vague
1 October, 2026
The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
Grab your tickets

* doors open

QAGOMA Visit in French

Fancy levelling up your next cultural outing and challenging your French listening skills? We have just the thing.

The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) offer free gallery highlights tours – conducted *en français. Visit the website for times and brush up on your art vocab before you book.

French Language Guided Gallery Tours
QAG & GOMA, South Brisbane
10:15-11am, selected dates
Book here

* In French

See It: L'Étranger

For lovers of French literature, one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming Alliance Française French Film Festival is undoubtedly L’Etranger (The Stranger) – François Ozon’s take on one of the most-read French novels around the globe.

Ranked number one on Le Monde’s 100 Books of the Century list, The Stranger is Albert Camus’ first foray into absurdism, telling the tale of a mysterious expat, Mersault, who is unwittingly drawn into a murder on an Algerian beach.

Set in 1930s French Algeria and sumptuously shot in black and white, the auteur’s faithful adaptation of the 1942 classic has received numerous accolades, including the awards for best film, best actor (Benjamin Voisin) and best cinematographer at The Lumiere Awards – France’s answer to the Golden Globes.

View session times here.

King & Conqueror

Our chouchous are always full of viewing recs, and here’s another one history buffs (who don’t mind a bit of artistic license) or fans of James Norton might enjoy. King & Conqueror is an epic 8-part series based on the struggle for the English throne that culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Alongside Norton as Harold II, it stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (of Game of Thrones fame) as the conquering William of Normandy, with Emily Beecham and Clémence Poésy as the women in their lives.

Not sure you’re up to the French? *Pas de souci, this one is in English. Reviews are mixed, but you can read all about it here and decide if it’s for you.

Watch it now on SBS on Demand.

*No problem

Une loterie d'amour

French may be the language of love, but romance hasn’t always run smoothly for its inhabitants. A traditional custom called *la loterie d’amour (love lottery) used to see single male suitors stand outside the homes of single women and call out until they were paired off. If the man found his partner-to-be displeasing, he’d head for *les collines.

In retaliation, the scorned women would then band together and start a bonfire, burning images of the men and cursing them. Eventually, this practice was banned by the government, and more palatable traditions took its place.

*the hills

Paris sous la neige

As we wilt in the humidity (and wild weather rages across Australia), we’re completely captivated by the winter wonderland we’ve been seeing all over our Instagram feeds. Paris *sous la neige is completely magical, and last month’s downfall provided a feast for the eyes – and a rare opportunity for skiing in Montmartre.

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A post shared by Paris France 🇫🇷 (@paris.explor)

*under the snow

Worth a Watch: From Rock Star to Killer

Love True Crime? The three-part documentary ‘From Rock Star to Killer’ is the perfect weekend binge watch. Now on Netflix, the series revisits a scandal from the early oughts that’s back in the news – the death of beloved actress Marie Trintignant at the hands of her musician lover, Bernard Cantat, in 2003.

The documentary shines an unflattering light on the victim-blaming nature of the media and public perception at the time – drawing attention to her ‘excesses’ and insinuating her personal choices led to the ‘crime of passion’ – and has prompted the recent reopening of the investigation into the 2010 death by suicide of his ex‑wife, Kristina Rády.

Watch De rockstar à tueur: le cas Cantat on Netflix now.

The French raise a glass – and millions – for Duralex

Like their Picardie tumblers – a staple of school canteens considered as iconic as Levi’s jeans and Swiss Army knives – French glassworks Duralex has a habit of bouncing back.

Last month, it did so in impressive style (for the fourth time) when a public appeal for emergency funding saw patriotic French design fans rally to help reach its fundraising target in under six hours.

This Guardian article on Duralex’s history, upgrade and plans for the future makes an interesting read.

Everyday Parisian

Sharing her lifelong love affair with France since 2016, American Francophile Rebecca Plotnick is the woman – and skilled snapper – behind the popular Everyday Parisian blog and The Paris Diaries newsletter.

Worth a look for her photos alone, Rebecca’s content ranges from seasonal packing tips and neighbourhood guides to advice on the best restaurants in Paris for solo dining.

You can also read about Rebecca’s passion for Paris (and new book) in her interview for A Table in France. Or pick up one of her prints online.

Do the French Celebrate Halloween?

Ever wondered if the French take part in trick-or-treating, or put out *les citrouilles on October 31st? While many older generations view the holiday as a crass, commercial US import, Halloween has grown in popularity in recent years.

However, it’s still completely overshadowed by a more sombre tradition that takes place the next day – La Toussaint (or All Saints’ Day). On this national holiday, families visit cemeteries to clean, decorate and place *les chrysanthèmes, which symbolise memory, on the graves of loved ones lost.

And while it may not involve a sugar hit, the occasion is also a favourite with kids as it coincides with a two-week school break, *les vacances de la Toussaint.

* pumpkins | *chrysanthemums | *All Saints’ Day holidays

Ekhi Busquet

A fan of bold, bright and sculptural design? It’s time to familiarise yourself with the playful world of Ekhi Busquet. A self-professed arcencielophile (lover of rainbows), Ekhi is a big deal in the French design world – in demand with iconic fashion and beauty houses for her thoughtful approach, sustainable production and vibrant pieces that spark joy.  

A graduate of the École Boulle and the Politecnico di Milano, Ekhi started out in visual design for the likes of Dior and L’Oréal before setting up her multidisciplinary design studio in 2017. Splitting her time between Paris and Marseille, she draws inspiration from both.

Take a peek at her work on Instagram – particularly her “Seins-Germain” collection, supporting breast cancer awareness and co-designed with Matthieu Vergote.

Visit ekhibusquet.com

16 Iconic Parisian Bags

As we creep towards Christmas, it’s time to start thinking of *les cadeaux – and what better gift than a piece of arm candy in soft, buttery *cuir? Ranging from the relatively affordable and airline-friendly Longchamp Le Pliage tote to the extortionate and nigh-on-impossible to source Hermès Birkin, here is a list of the 16 most iconic Parisian bags in history. Print it out, circle your favourites and leave it lying around for *Père Nöel.

* presents | *leather | *Father Christmas

Échappées belles

Need some inspiration for your next holiday? We recommend you tune in to the fabulous Échappées belles (Great Escapes). Airing weekly on France 5 since 2006, the popular travel and discovery show is akin to a Gallic Getaway – but much more in-depth.

Each 90-minute episode does a deep dive into *une seule destination. Enjoy them at your leisure, with most episodes available to watch free on the official Échappées belles YouTube channel.

Here’s a little taste.

*a single destination

Charles Aznavour’s ‘She’

Penned by beloved French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour and lyricist Herbert Kretzmer in 1974, ‘She’ is an iconic love song with two lives. Originally recorded in English (and later also in French, German, Spanish and Italian), it was the theme tune for a British TV series and reached number one success in the UK and Ireland.

However, the moving ballad didn’t reach nearly the same heights in Aznavour’s homeland, and it wasn’t until Elvis Costello’s cover appeared in Notting Hill that *le monde entier est tombé amoureux.

Learn the ‘She’ story in this instalment of ‘Once Upon a Song.’

And don’t miss the man himself singing the original version below.

*the whole world fell in love

Series: D’argent et de sang

After a French series to keep you glued to *la télé this winter? With 12 gripping episodes, D’argent et de sang (Of Money and Blood) is a stylish crime thriller following “one of the biggest financial swindles of all time”.

Inspired by a book of the same name by investigative journalist Fabrice Arfi, the series is based on true events surrounding a multi-billion-dollar French carbon tax fraud in 2008-9. The story centres on customs inspector and magistrate Simon Weynachter’s obsessive pursuit of those involved in what French media dubbed the scam of the century – a pair of Tunisian criminals from Belleville and a wealthy, charismatic trader.

Watch the trailer below and stream it now on SBS on Demand.

*the TV

Famous French Brands: Poivre Blanc

The obsession of French tweens and teens in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Poivre Blanc (White Pepper) is back on the cool kids' radar with a line of vintage tees, tags, caps and sweaters that harks back to its surfwear-meets-streetwear roots.

Founded in 1984 by Danny Sebright, the Marseille-born *marque started out producing bright, sporty t-shirts featuring animated characters and fun prints that garnered a cult following. However, it evolved its offering in 1989 and is now the go-to for luxurious, high-tech skiwear – with a price tag to match.

Whether on the court, at yoga class or swishing down the slopes, Poivre Blanc’s technically advanced sportswear for women, men and children cuts a fine figure. But it’s the nostalgic appeal of the vintage designs that have put the brand back in the spotlight.

According to the website…

“La collection vintage de Poivre Blanc a été créée pour célébrer et préserver l’héritage unique de la marque. Ce revival permet de reconnecter les clients avec les souvenirs joyeux et l’authenticité des débuts de Poivre Blanc, tout en attirant un nouveau public qui apprécie le charme rétro.

“Les motifs et designs de la collection vintage sont inspirés par les archives de la marque, reprenant des éléments graphiques et colorés qui avaient fait son succès, modernisés pour aujourd’hui. Ce retour aux racines est aussi une réponse à la demande croissante pour des vêtements qui allient style, histoire et durabilité.”

*Ou, en anglais…

“The Poivre Blanc Vintage Collection was created to celebrate and preserve the brand's unique heritage. This revival reconnects customers with the joyful memories and authenticity of Poivre Blanc's early days, while attracting a new audience who appreciates its retro charm.

“The patterns and designs of the Vintage Collection are inspired by the brand's archives, incorporating graphic and colourful elements that made it successful, modernised for today. This return to its roots is also a response to the growing demand for clothing that combines style, history, and sustainability.”

View the Poivre Blanc range on the website.

*brand | *Or, in English

La Vie: C’est veggie

If you’re a fan of clever advertising, this commercial by acclaimed French agency Buzzman is sure to tickle your fancy.

Featuring an expressive rescue pig called Léon watching a man devour *un sandwich au ‘jambon’, the ad for French plant-based food company La Vie was launched to coincide with World Animal Day last October. *C’est du génie, non?

*a ‘ham’ sandwich | *It’s genius, isn’t it?

Quel est ton roman français préféré?

With the cooler weather (and relentless rain!), now’s the perfect time to settle in with a good book. We know we have plenty of *rats de bibliothèque among our chouchous, so we thought we’d give you some recommendations from *l’équipe. *En français, bien sûr!

(Not up for the challenge? You can also snap up English versions for most of our picks online.)

*Library rats – the French expression for bookworm! | *the team | *In French, of course!

Raclette

Cheese (and carb) lovers, rejoice – raclette season is officially here! Derived from the French verb *’racler’ meaning ‘to scrape’, the ultimate comfort dish features oozy, melted cheese scraped with a spatula onto boiled potatoes with pickles and cured meats often served as sides.  

An alpine specialty, raclette is believed to have originated in the canton of Valais in Switzerland way back in the Middle Ages. However, other *fromage fancying nations have adopted the traditional dish with gusto – including France.  

While the dish was originally made fireside, today many heat their cheese to scrape-ready, melted perfection on a raclette grill. As for the cheese, the authentic choice is Swiss raclette cheese – a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese. However, Gruyère, Comté and Gouda will also work if that’s what you have *dans le frigo.

*to scrape | *cheese | *in the fridge