Bonjour Bendigo launches at Alium

TO CELEBRATE the opening of Paris: Impressions of Life 1880–1925 at Bendigo Art Gallery, restaurants around the city are decorating their windows with themed bunting and hosting events.

Bonjour Bendigo was launched last week by the City of Greater Bendigo to support tourism to the city for the new blockbuster exhibition, which runs until Sunday 14 July.

The last major exhibition in Bendigo, Elvis, brought up to $68 million to the city and it is estimated that Paris: Impressions of Life 1880–1925 will generate a similar sum for the local economy.

“Our award-winning public activations, which celebrate blockbuster exhibitions at Bendigo Art Gallery, have become hugely popular over the years with residents and visitors, and they are now eagerly anticipated,” said mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf.

“Residents and visitors can make the most of a fantastic range of French-inspired events and experiences, together with themed food and drink menus celebrating the city of love and light.”

The city will host up to 40 events over the duration of the exhibition, including a screening of the film A Trip to the Moon by French film pioneer Georges Méliès at the Capital Carriageway.

Restaurants and café’s around the city are offering limited time additions to their menus, such as French-inspired picnic packs at Beechworth Bakery and lunch with chef Gabriel Gate at Ms Batterhams.

Nicolas Thomas, restaurant manager at Alium Dining said they will be encourage diners to taste French wines to celebrate the exhibition.

“We will be selling a lot of French wines, especially by the glass so it will give an opportunity for the people of Bendigo and our visitors to discover, or re-discover beautiful wine from France,” Mr Thomas said.

Originally from Brittany in North-West France, Mr Thomas has lived in Australia for the past 13 years.

“Having Bonjour Bendigo in Australia will be an opportunity for me to showcase some of the great produce from my home country in my new country,” he said.

For more information, visit bendigotourism.com.