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Create your own French-inspired picnic this spring

By Franki Hobson Presented by Chandon|

Your own French-inspired picnic
The best way to spend your weekends this season

does a luxury picnic quite like the French, Mademoiselle. But how do you recreate that certain je ne sais quoi in the land down under?

Hereกฏs how. Bon appetite!

Choose a theme

As long as itกฏs a French theme, youกฏre on track! Think red, white and blue for a patriotic spin จC with a gingham floor cover to set the scene.

Or, for a romantic spin on Napoleon and Josephine, go for a red hot louvre romance as your main colour. Thinking a little more? Borrow some elegance and grandeur from the royal court, a la, Mary Antoinetteกฏs famous pastel pink and blue flounce or King Louisกฏs decadent golds.

Invite your finest friends - or best Aussie mates!

All the fine cheeses in the world wonกฏt help if youกฏre not among great company! Surround yourself with people you love and the good times will follow กช even if you run out of grapes, sparkling and P?tจฆ?กญ

Location, location! Get the scenery right

Of course your local park will suffice but for a little extra flair think big! Your local botanic gardens, the banks of the Yarra or Sydney Harbour, the beach, the mountains กญ thereกฏs loads of tranquil, awe-inspiring and impressive scenic spots in Australia.?

Choose the right dining ware

While aesthetics is important, you don't want to be lugging heavy and breakable plates, cutlery and glasses จC we all know how that will end! There's loads of great ready-to-go picnic baskets that come with lightweight melamine plates, reusable plastic cutlery, cooler bags and food storage.

Get Cheesy

It wouldnกฏt be a picnic without cheeses, now, would it? Most fine food connoisseurs recommend including a variety of textures and flavours from the four main cheese groups จC aged, soft, firm and blue.

Some of the finest French origin cheeses include Camembert (a soft cheese from Normandy), Roquefort (a blue ewe's milk cheese from Occitanie), Comtจฆ (a pressed cheese from Franche Comtจฆ), Brie (a soft cheese from Ile de France), Bleu d'Auvergne (a blue cheese from Auvergne) and Epoisses (a rind-washed soft but strong cheese from Burgundy). But the list is endless!?

When it comes to Australian cheeses, we love a Yarra Valley goats cheese that makes for a rich and creamy addition to any picnic platter.?

The piจจce de rจฆsistance impressive platter

Keep your cheeses centre stage or add them to an impressive meat, fruit and cheese platter. Meats usually include a selection of different salami, prosciutto, olives, pickles, bread or crackers and fruit, including grapes and dried fruits. Quince paste is usually included to 'cleanse the palate' between flavoured cheeses.?

Just add bubblesกญ

It doesn't get more French than sparkling wine. While 'Champagne' sparkling is technically grown in the sparkling region of France, did you know Australia has some super impressive sparkling wine regions too? You can find a sparkling mix of whites, rose, dry, sweet and more in Chandonกฏs deliciously bubbly range.??

Donกฏt forget dessert!

French desserts are decadent and the list plentiful, from crจจme brulee to macarons, chocolate filled croissants and crจบpe suzettes. Most are available in your local supermarket but for a real burst of flavour buy from a patisserie or authentic French pastry house that knows their baking ABCsกญ

The finale!

No fireworks are required, but if you do want to add a little pizazz, find out what events are on in your local (picnic) area and the entertainment might be provided for free!

St Kilda and Bondi Beach often have plenty of people-watching entertainment, Sydney harbour has fireworks through much of summer, and botanic gardens have a range of entertainment from 'speaker's corners' to flower shows, performing artists and buskers and more.

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