How to Have the Ultimate French-style Break in Sydney

Synonymous with all things chic and some of the world’s most iconic attractions, it’s no surprise France is the most visited country across the globe. But while Paris claimed everyone’s attention this year throughout the Olympics, Sydney has been having its own French moment. From newly opened boutiques to blockbuster exhibitions and sophisticated eateries with a distinctly French flavour, here’s how to enjoy a tour de France in Australia’s largest city. 

Shop stylish boutiques

Ambling between whimsical emporiums and avant-garde boutiques is an essential part of visiting the likes of Lyon, Marseilles and Lille – and you can now get a taste of France’s buzzy shopping scene closer to home. Channel the country’s signature insouciant style via contemporary French fashion label Zadig&Voltaire, which just opened its first Sydney boutique in Double Bay. Then explore the shelves of exquisite scents at luxury fragrance purveyor Libertine Parfumerie’s new Paddington boutique – a space imbued with the opulence of an old-world French apothecary.

Get a French-style culture fix

Following its blockbuster Louise Bourgeois exhibition, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is now hosting the first-ever Australian retrospective of 20th century surrealist master René Magritte – who spent his most prolific years in Paris developing his distinctive style – until February 9, 2025. Immerse yourself in more than 100 works showcasing Magritte’s magical, mysterious world, where everyday objects are made extraordinary.

Eat like the French

The French famously elevate eating to an artform and if there’s one dish the country is renowned for, it’s the croissant. At La Haute Croissanterie, you’ll eat with your eyes first: a marble-and-glass cabinet draws you into the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s Esprit Noir lobby cafe, where the day’s rotating selection of elaborate sweet and savoury croissants are assembled like jewels. Tip: the lemon meringue iteration is a zesty twist on the classic treat.

For dinner, make your way to award-winning Atelier on the third floor of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. With its open kitchen and illuminated wall of wine, the sleek fine-dining restaurant explores France’s southern regions, using classic cooking techniques to further elevate the outstanding Australian produce. Expect dishes such as O’Connor black angus beef tartare and scotch fillet slathered in café de Paris butter.

Luxuriate in a French-accented suite

Take your French-inspired break to the next level and unwind in a suite at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the Junior, Prestige and Bellerive suites frame Sydney’s majestic urban beauty, allowing you to see the city skyline rise above the dazzling blue of the harbour. Inside, each suite embodies the French ethos of contemporary sophistication and considered comfort, from the luxury linens to the freestanding bath, rain-jet shower and French-made Diptyque amenities. 

Suite guests also enjoy access to the exclusive Club Millésime on the 35th floor, where the complimentary Le Goûter afternoon tea boasts an impressive variety of macarons, profiteroles, madeleines and more, followed by a generous selection of quintessentially French charcuterie and cheese plus international canapés during the club’s Apéro Chic pre-dinner drinks offering – think duck ragu gnocchi and sliced raw scallops with XO dressing. 

At the hotel’s on-site spa, the Gallic theme continues; indulge in a bespoke facial using top-shelf products from Biologique Recherche. Finally, take full advantage of the suites’ generous 4pm checkout by taking a dip in the rooftop infinity pool and lingering for a chilled glass of champagne at the guest-only Le Rivage Pool Bar, which combines staggering Sydney views with the effortless charm of a Mediterranean resort. One thing’s for certain: you won’t want to go home.