Think horizontal striped skivvies, berets and tight jeans. Think croissants, baguettes and escargot (fancy word for snails). Think red, white and blue but not in the same order as the Aussie flag.
Then you're talking French (Au Francais) and you're talking 'a French Weekend in Esperance' starting July 14.
Esperance is anchored loosely in French history, with French explorers naming some of the landmarks of the region, such as Cape le Grand, or Rossiter Bay. In fact, Esperance is French for 'hope'.
To celebrate this heritage and the French national day Bastille Day on July 14, a band of the Esperance community have organised a bunch of Au Francais themed events across the weekend. It also marks the 30 year anniversary with Esperance's Twin Towns relationship with the Île de Ré region.
Southern Ports Tour d'Esperance
Presented by the Esperance Cycling Club, two races have been organised for the weekend including, the Pier Hotel Criterium Race on Saturday starting at 3pm. This race has different grades for different fitness levels. Handicap Races will take place on Sunday from 8am with a focus on two participation races and a handicap road race. All races across the weekend will begin from the Whale Tail down on the Esperance foreshore.
French Film Night at the Bijou
A viewing of the French classic "Marguerite" will be happening on July 14 at the Bijou Theatre (little gem in french). There will be some entertainment prior to the movie, with some Cancan dancing with some other French-themed entertainment, among other things. Don't worry if you don't speak French for the movie, there will be subtitles!
Doors open at 6pm with cheese, wine and French-themed entertainment before the film which starts at 7pm.
Tickets are on sale at the Esperance Public Library for $20 (cash sales only).
Sunday Markets
On Sunday 16 July head along to the Esperance Markets in the Museum Village from 8.30am to 12.30pm and see the the French flair in the market stalls and sample some tasty soft and hard French cheese.
Enjoy stalls celebrating our French connection, find out more about our Twin Towns Committee and student exchange program and watch the presentations of the Esperance Cycling Club’s Tour de Esperance at approximately 11am.
Sacre Blue! Sounds like a great weekend... so grab a croissant and get involved!