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Ooh-la-la, who knew there were so many fabulous French-inspired experiences on offer in Melbourne?
The well-worn but still-in-use phrase ‘Paris-end of Collins Street’ was born with the establishment of chic clothing salon Le Louvre at 72-74 Collins Street back in 1922. Proprietor Lillian Wightman coined the term to brand her new venture in the top end of town. It certainly worked. While Le Louvre has since moved on, there’s no shortage of other Parisian-style ways to spend your time in the Victorian capital.
Here are eight great French-inspired things to do in Melbourne.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Melbourne:
Top 10 Things to Do in MELBOURNE, Australia, 2026 | Ultimate Melbourne Travel Guide for First Timers
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1. Take a stroll down Collins Street
Just strolling down the strip where it all began for Lil Wightman is a lovely way to enjoy one of the prettiest parts of the Melbourne CBD and get into the French-inspired spirit. Start at the Spring Street end of Collins and work your way down the hill. There’s plenty of glorious Victorian-era architecture to admire and a number of French designer salons at which to window shop, including Hermes, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Chanel (tucked around on Little Flinders).
Countless books have been written about how the French manage to look so effortlessly chic, so perhaps take this opportunity to spoil yourself with a visit to one of the many hair and beauty salons dotted across this part of the city. You might also want to enhance your wellness routine with collagen supplements* — a popular choice for those seeking radiant skin and joint health.
2. Dunk a croissant at Lune
The French have given us many amazing things, but one of the finest has to be the croissant. Dunking these flaky gems in a café crème sounds messy, but it’s a popular way to enjoy them in Paris and who are we to argue? Head to much-lauded Lune Croissanterie on Russell Street — and yes, that is a queue. You’ll almost certainly have to line up for the hottest piece of pastry in Melbourne, but it’s well worth it. While you wait, you can watch the social media influencer photo shoots that are usually taking place in the street outside.
3. Sit and sip at a sidewalk cafe
Nothing says ‘I could be in Paris’ like a sidewalk cafe with wicker chairs and a harried waiter, and Melbourne has any number of outdoor coffee precincts in which to linger over a latte and watch the world go by. Wander down to Degraves Street (between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane). It will whisk you away to Europe in an instant. Hardware Lane is another option (Kirks Wine Bar on the corner of Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street has the Paris vibe nailed!).
4. Indulge in a cheese tasting
According to Wikipedia, there are around 1,600 distinct types of French cheese, and a visit to the cheese cellar at the Spring Street Grocer will give you the opportunity to taste a fair percentage of them. This place is mind-blowing! Hidden away in what is part of a network of tunnels that once linked Parliament, the Princess Theatre and the Hotel Windsor, and accessed by a spiral staircase, the underground cheese maturation cellar offers access to a world of tangy tastes and rare cheesemaking recipes. Take part in a guided tasting with the resident cheesemonger, or pre-order a platter to take away and enjoy at your leisure (Carlton Gardens is just a short stroll away).
5. Channel a Marais wine bar
If it happens to be wine time, lucky you. Head back up to street level and into the City Wine Shop — an atmospheric wine bar that wouldn’t look out of place in the very heart of le Marais. Pull up a pew at the bar or out front and order from the seriously awesome wine list. The knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to provide recommendations. European-style bites and shared plates are also available.
6. Enjoy a night at the French-style theatre
Right next door you’ll no doubt notice the stunning Princess Theatre — the oldest continuously operating entertainment site in Australia. The building you see today dates back to the late 1880s, and the French connection here is its distinctive ‘Second Empire’ architectural style — which came out of France under Napoleon III in the second half of the 19th century. Notice the exquisite mansard roofline with dormer windows. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to a show, you’ll get to see the incredible interior of this grande dame of the Victorian capital.
7. Tuck into a steak frites
There are plenty of options in Melbourne for a Francophile feed, but the French Saloon bar and bistro has that je ne sais quoi. Tucked away upstairs off Hardware Lane, this rustic light-filled eatery serves up oysters, comté gougères (cheesy balls), steak tartare and steak frites (and it’s a mystery to us how something so simple could taste quite so good!). Match your meal with a glass of bubbles and follow it up with a cracking crème caramel.
8. See some live jazz
Jazz has been a popular part of the French music scene since the 1920s and the intimate Paris Cat jazz club in Goldie Place (just a stone’s throw from Hardware Lane) flies the flag four or five nights a week with awesome live performances. Check their website for what’s on, and squeeze in!
Need a place to stay?
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
The fabulous Citadines on Bourke Melbourne is located right in the heart of the top end of town — within easy walking distance of every drop of French-style magic we’ve mentioned in this story. Add to that the hotel’s own French heritage, and it makes perfect sense to book your sojourn here.
The Citadines’ Apart’hotels philosophy is to give guests a complete space to call their own during their stay, and Citadines on Bourke certainly succeeds on that front. The hotel has 375 studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments (which can accommodate up to five guests), all with access to complimentary Wi-Fi. Walking into our studio, I was struck by the stylish symmetry, the contemporary furnishings and the floor to ceiling windows letting in fabulous views of the cityscape. Pops of colour bring the generously sized space to life. The studio bathroom features a large walk-in shower with rain shower head. The kitchenette is perfectly functional should you decide to mange à la maison during your stay.
Other amenities at the hotel include a superb saltwater pool, sauna and fitness centre, and spacious lobby with plenty of comfortable seating.
This post was published thanks to Fresh Clinics.
The writer travelled as a guest of Citadines on Bourke Melbourne.
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Cover image: Visit Victoria. Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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