For as long as we can remember Melburnians have referred to eastern Collins Street as the ‘Paris end of town’, so named for being a nerve centre of high fashion, grand architecture and Euro-chic wine bars and cafés.
This month they’re leaning right into it, staging a special Paris on Collins activation each weekend to highlight the precinct’s autumn-ready charm. Fridays and Saturdays from March 18 to April 9, you can swing by to experience a pop-up Paris brimming with live entertainment, French food and drinks, artists and performers. The whole affair will be brought to life with themed décor and ornaments transporting you to the City of Light. Patisseries to enjoy alfresco in the afternoon? Mais oui! Portrait artists and mime performers to watch while you do? Absolument!
For supporting local businesses, you’ll also be rewarded with delicious gifts. Spend $100 on food or $250 at a retailer on the day, and be showered with goodies that include Royal St Collins’s luxurious macarons and Le Petit Château’s moreish crêpes. If you ask us, that’s an easy task to achieve when the sumptuous sweets at Haigh’s Chocolates, cool vinyl and CDs at Basement Discs and shiny boutiques of St Collins Lane are beckoning.
They’ll be spreading the love throughout the month, visiting a different part of the precinct each weekend. Check the website to see when they’ll be popping up at 101 Collins, 271 Collins, 156 Collins and Howey Place off Little Collins Street.