Nestled within a quiet enclave at the gateway to the northern beaches, the suburb of Killarney Heights has emerged as Sydney‘s very own French quarter.
Over the past two decades, a French influence has gradually become prevalent within the community, centred around the suburb’s main Tramore Place shopping mall.
Within the delightful tree-lined precinct are an array of stores offering everything from French specialty foods and cured saucisson to small house Champagnes and – naturally – handcrafted French pastries.
There’s even a place to buy French books or take speaking lessons.
Royale asked Le Parisien Café Patisserie owner Jérôme Chevalier about how the unlikely location has become a thriving French community – albeit over 14,300 kilometres away from the homeland.
The café owner explained that the community’s spirit had been developing ever since a French-speaking program was introduced to Killarney Heights Public School in 1998.
‘It has kept growing ever since,’ Jérôme said.
And this is more than just a casual observation – it’s backed up by cold hard facts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
A French influence has gradually become prevalent within the Killarney Heights community, centred around shops like The French Corner in the suburb’s Tramore Place shopping mall
Le Parisien Café Patisserie is located in the heart of the Killarney Heights shopping precinct and sells an array of French-inspired meals and treats
Killarney Heights on Sydney’s northern beaches looks like any other quiet suburb. But when you look closer, you uncover a rich connection within the community to French cuisine and culture
Recent data shared on the ABS Instagram account confirmed that Killarney Heights has the highest percentage of people born in France out of any suburb in Australia.
This makes the suburb, just 12km north of Sydney’s CBD, the unofficial French capital of Australia.
Thanks to this thriving expat community, Jérôme said the village atmosphere in Killarney Heights has come to closely resemble that of a small French town.
‘It’s really become a meeting point for the French community,’ he said. ‘You can hear French being spoken all over Tramore Place and see people dining à la carte.’
And it’s not just the people within Killarney Heights who are enjoying the European country-inspired spoils.
Visitors from all across Sydney – and even further abroad – are making the pilgrimage to the suburb Heights for a petit taste of the French-inspired culture and cuisine.
‘Word is definitely spreading and people are now coming from all over to visit,’ Jérôme confirmed.
French food lovers are certainly taking notice.
On the menu at Le Parisien Café Patisserie is an array of viennoiseries baked goods (left).Showstopping special occasion cakes (right) can also be made to order at the patisserie
The specialty Killarney Heights grocery store stocks gourmet French saucisson
The local grocer stocks a range of French specialty foods, likea la Bourguignonne kit pour escargot and tins of duck foie gras
The shop also sells bottled bisque de homard (French lobster bisque) and Alsa packet cake mix boxes to whip up a moelleux marble (marble cake)
There’s a range of terrines that would be perfect for a charcuterie board
Any foodie’s visit to the area should start with theLe Parisien Café Patisserie,located in the heart of the Tramore Place shopping precinct.
They offer an array of viennoiseries baked goods, like croissants and pain au chocolat, and there’s a basket of baguettes by the door.
If you fancy a light lunch, the soupe du jour (soup of the day) is served traditionally topped with cheese and fried shallot – with a half baguette and butter on the side.
Then, in the display window you’ll find sweet delights like macarons, tarts and the mousse-like Le Merveilleux.
For special occasions, place an order with the patisserie for a St Honoree cake or a showstopping croquembouche. Magnifique!
Just a few doors down, the small grocery store House of Fruit & Salads looks like it could belong in any other Sydney suburb. But once you step inside, you quickly discover shelf after shelf loaded with imported French specialty foods.
There’s tins of duck foie gras and bottles of bisque de homard (French lobster bisque).
You’ll even find an à la Bourguignonne kit pour escargot. Yep, that’s a Burgundy snail soup kit.
The Wine Haven Bottle Shop has a variety of French wines and champagne
Home bakers might even want to grab a French Alsa cake mix to whip up a moelleux marble (marble cake).
Over in the chilled section is a veritable delight for lovers of a charcuterie board. Think saucisson, terrine and of course, an array of French cheeses.
Stroll on over to the Wine Haven Bottle Shop and you’ll find a variety of French tipples – from wines to bubbles.
The store owner reveals that the Louis Moretti Grand Reserve Brut Champagne is a hands-down best seller.
But Killarney Heights isn’t just about delectable French food and drinks.
A few doors down, The French Corner is a culture hub for the community, offering everything from French speaking lessons and tuition to holiday camps.
Francophones will even be able to browse the store’s selection of French-language books, including a range of children’s titles.
All throughout the year, the suburb has become known for hosting a number of themed events.
The French Corner is a culture hub for the community, offering offers everything from French lessons and tuition to holiday camps
The French Corner sells French language books and offers a range of courses and programs to choose from
The French influence in Killarney Heights dates back to 1998 when the school introduced a French speaking program – you can even see a French flag above the school sign. The Sydney suburb’s unique history has also been documented in a guide book
There’s crepe and raclette nights, French trivia nights and Fête de la Musique, a music event celebrated in June to mark the northern hemisphere’s longest day.
The highlight is the annual FANS French Market, proudly run by the French-speaking Association of the North Shore.
This year’s event is slated for Sunday 16 Novemberand it’s one of the most anticipated dates on the local community calendar.
‘The French market brings big crowds and features a lot of French stalls selling all sorts of goodies,’Jérôme said.
‘There’s also loads of music as well as rides for the kids.’
‘Events like these are the perfect opportunity for Killarney Heights locals, the French community and really anyone with an interest in French culture to come together and enjoy.’
