Over 20% of French people who migrate to Australia choose to live in Melbourne. In turn, the city’s thriving culture and food scene owes a debt to its French community. So what is it about Australia’s second city that makes it such a popular choice for its French residents and citizens? We decided to find out.
Why is Melbourne so Beloved by its French Community?
From laid-back coastal living to big city excitement, Melbourne offers abundant variety for its diverse population. It’s a great place to make a home for anyone – Melbourne was named Australia’s “most livable city” by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and 10th in the world.
Melbourne and its French residents enjoy a positive reciprocal relationship. The European influence has helped the city develop its vibrant and cosmopolitan culture, and that culture gives French citizens plenty to come for – and stay for.
Here’s just a taste of what makes Melbourne so special:
Amazing Food
Whether you have a penchant for fine dining or love discovering new street food flavors, if you’re a foodie Melbourne is sure to delight.
At the higher price points, you’ll find cuisines to suit every palate (including superb French fare!) cooked by expert chefs. From the traditional to the inventive, Melbourne’s fine dining restaurants are a city highlight.
A smaller budget doesn’t mean missing out though – you can also find boutique eateries, cozy cafés and charming family restaurants offering an excellent quality of food and service throughout the city.
World-Class Coffee
Much like the French capital, Melbourne is a coffee lover’s paradise, famous for its chic and charming cafés. In fact, it’s said to have a higher density of cafés than any other city in the world.
Most cafés are independently owned, and small businesses, built on a real love for quality coffee, abound in this city that often feels more like a friendly neighborhood. Wherever you go, you won’t be far from a great cup of espresso, and you might find your morning cup quickly becomes the focal point of your social life!
Abundant Arts and Culture
Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia, and it has among the highest number of art galleries per person on the planet. Among them is the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, which holds the largest permanent collection of Australian art in the country.
Many of the world’s most celebrated touring exhibitions show in Melbourne, and it’s often their only Australasian stop. And at the local level, there’s a booming street art scene, again considered to be among the world’s best.
Melbourne’s many galleries are joined by a strong showing from the other arts. It has a well-established and highly successful theater scene and is a great city for music lovers too. As with its visual art offerings, Melbourne has a music scene that spans exciting, intimate local gigs right the way to stadium shows from the world’s biggest artists.
Wine Country on Your Doorstep
Melbourne lies close to some of Australia’s top wine regions, including the Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, and Yarra Valley.
Many of the vineyards are situated in maritime locations, with a cooler climate, meaning they’re perfectly placed to produce excellent varieties of classics such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Yarra Valley is also acclaimed for superb sparkling wine producers.
Most of the wineries around Melbourne are open to visit or tour, or you can simply enjoy delicious local tipples at your favorite restaurant in the city.
Sending Money from Australia to France
It’s a long way from Australia to France, but with Western Union you can feel close to those you love and transfer money across the world with a few clicks on your phone! We’ve been around for 170 years and achieved truly global reach in that time, building a business based on trust and reliability. So you can be sure your money won’t just move quickly – it will be encrypted and transferred reliably too.
It’s not hard to see why so many French people have settled in Melbourne. From fine food to edgy street art, the city’s culture is exciting and inviting and its neighborhood feel makes it welcoming to all. Vive Melbourne!
