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No European summer jaunts this year? Pas de problème. France may feel like a million miles away right now, but you can still enjoy its culture, mood and romance without leaving home.
Dine Latin Quarter style
The famed Latin Quarter, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, is filled with quaint cafés and bistros brimming with character. Recreate that Parisian magic at home by cooking a classic French dish such as steak-frites, perfectly roasted chicken or veal blanquette.
Take a Masterclass and learn the art of French cooking. This beef bourguignon will impress even the toughest of food critics.
Just add wine
No meal is complete without a vin to match. Our top pick for French cuisine is an evocative bottle of La Bohème wine. The range was inspired by Leanne De Bortoli enjoying a memorable bottle of dry Provencal rosé while holidaying in France and it’s been created with food pairing in mind.
The gorgeous Art Nouveau-style labels pay tribute to opera diva Dame Nellie Melba, who enchanted the world as Mimi in La Bohème, which is set in the Latin Quarter in Paris during the 1880s.
After sipping on La Bohème Dry Rosé, the beautifully embossed bottle can be repurposed as a water bottle, candlestick holder or vase to add a certain je ne sais quoi to your abode.
Create a little French corner at home with French inspired decor.
Repurpose the La Bohème Dry Rosé as a vase or candle holder. BYO romance.
Take a tour, virtually
See the Latin Quarter without leaving your lounge room. Companies such as Heygo can arrange for a guide to take you on a live-streamed tour of the 5th arrondissement where you’ll hear stories about the area and discover hidden gems and popular attractions; from the Seine River to the stunning Luxembourg Gardens, the Panthéon, the Cluny Museum, and the Sainte-Chapelle. Be sure to keep an eye out for the intricate Art Nouveau metalwork at the entrance to the Saint-Michel metro.
Pretty as a picture. A poetic view of the Pont Neuf and the Latin Quarter, Paris. Let technology take you there. Image: Getty.
Many Paris landmarks now offer virtual tours on their websites. The Louvre, for example, lets you explore its museum rooms and galleries, such as the Petite Galerie; which examines the transition from the anonymous craftsman of the classical period to the artists of the Renaissance, featuring works by Delacroix, Rembrandt, Tintoret and more.
Create your own French Quarter with ambient lighting, French music and perfectly-paired wine and food.
Watch a film set in the City of Lights
After dinner, immerse yourself in a film that’s set in the Latin Quarter. The 5th arrondissement has been the backdrop for classics including Julie & Julia, based on the life of famous American chef Julia Child, who penned Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The movie featured the Rue Mouffetard, a street famed for its fresh produce market.
The film Midnight in Paris saw the main character, played by Owen Wilson, transported back to the Jazz Age of the 1920s, and features a prominent scene on the steps of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church.
Also, while it was ostensibly based in Los Angeles, La La Land filmed a scene in Le Caveau de la Huchette, a jazz club in the Latin Quarter.
And don’t forget to include an intermission to toast your French mini break with a glass of La Bohème Cuvée Rosé.
C’est si bon!
*Brought to you by De Bortoli Wines
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