Vive Le Valley

Pack Your Beret and celebrate Bastille Day Weekend in Kangaroo Valley!

Published 1st July 2024 By Natalie Harker
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Kangaroo Valley is basically the Paris of Regional NSW. Sure, the French have croissants in their charming villages, but Kangaroo Valley has the finest bread bakers this side of St Tropez. France has the Alps, but Kangaroo Valley has jaw-dropping vistas and escarpments that are straight out of a postcard. Kangaroo Valley even once hosted the largest cheese-tasting event in the world at their country show. It should come as no surprise then that this little village nestled between the Southern Highlands and the South Coast has found itself swept up in the festivities of the French national holiday, Bastille Day.

From the 12th to the 15th of July, Kangaroo Valley will declare itself the republic of Le Valley and host several French-inspired events over the weekend and our pâtissier Terra e Mare Bakery will have all the delicious delights you can handle.

On Friday evening in the Kangaroo Valley Hall, the acclaimed French film “DIVERTIMENTO,” direct from the French Film Festival Sydney, will be presented by Arts in the Valley.

The Friendly Inn will be transformed into a ‘jardin à bière’ on Saturday the 13th with the annual Bastille Day Invitational Teams Petanque Championship.

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of July, Wildwood Kangaroo Valley will be hosting Coq Fest – A Bastille Day long lunch in the Bush, a French feast fit for an aristocrat. Ticket holders are encouraged to frock up for the affair and be treated to an incredible feast prepared by French and Michelin Star Chef Ilyes Mendi (Ex Rockpool).

While being caught up in the festivities of baguettes and berets, it’s important to recognise that weekend forms part of the NAIDOC Week. Upper Kangaroo Valley’s Winderong Farm (an experiment in permaculture, regenerative agriculture and bush regeneration) will be host to the Gangagruwan (Kangaroo Valley) Corroboree on Saturday the 13th of July. Walk beside local Indigenous business Gadhungal Marring and learn to care for Country together. This event starts at 11am and includes an ancient artefact demonstration and native foods lunch catered by Blak Cede, an Aboriginal womens-led social and cultural enterprise cafe. 

 

For all event details and tickets  visitkangaroovalley.com.au

French film “DIVERTIMENTO,” direct from the French Film Festival Sydney

All photos supplied by Drummer Boy Pictures : Harry Kielly

 

Natalie Harker

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