Mosman in Sydney’s north has always been an area I adore visiting for its pretty vintage trees, glamourous boutiques, lovely cafes, sophisticated locals and that unmistakeable European flair.  That French feeling and je ne sais quoi I’m always in the mood for seems to be thriving in this part of our city and where French tunes and intoxicating aromas spill softly out on to the streets from the pretty shops and where you can quite easily spend a whole day and evening taking in and delighting in all the French treasures in the area.  From French inspired bakeries, to Creperies, quality French restaurants, eateries, specialty stores and boutiques Mosman seems to have it all,  By observing the bustling cafes and lively streets you’ll find that locals and not so locals are certainly not complaining.  Just recently, mon mari and I payed a visit to Mosman’s shop and boutique strip on Military Road and after eating and shopping our way through the area we had firmly agreed, while fighting over the crunchy end bit of our recently purchased baguette, that Mosman is perhaps the most chic and Frenchy suburb we’ve explored so far.  So with a fromage platter and le vin blanc in hand allow me to walk you through the French heart of Mosman.

If there could be just one French inspired go to shop I would have loved to have had as a French obsessed child it would be One French Summer – Boutique Emporium.  This delightful, unique and superbly decorated store would make even the most difficult to please young child ooh and ahh and beg to have every item displayed with love upon the shelves.  Children will adore the soft plush, quality made French inspired toys, games, blankets, slippers, pretty fashion pieces and bright and fun summer floaties to enjoy at the pool or beach.  Adults will delight in French country inspired homewares such as candles, lotions, home fragrances, clocks, decorative pieces to adorn their walls, tables, sofas, beds and shelves as well as a small but beautiful selection of fashion for the ladies and accessories not to forget delightful French themed coffee table books to enjoy with a cup of tea on a chaise lounge.   This beautiful boutique has become so popular it had to expand and open another boutique a few doors down (near Four Frogs, French Creperie) where you’ll be greeted by a sweet chalk board with the message “Bienvenue chez One French Summer” and an accessories ladder displaying those very necessary, “I want to be a Parisian and chic” scarves and shopping totes the ladies all adore.  You will certainly have trouble leaving this tres magnifique second boutique, as I do, and will lose yourself in the stunning French inspired homewares, books, fashion and those heavenly scented candles made in France that will transport you to the Provencal country side.  Follow the boutique on Facebook to get alerts on their key events and sales throughout the year especially their Christmas event where you can spend a lovely time purchasing unique items and stocking up on all your Christmas gift shopping in the one place and avoid the push and shove of crowded shopping centres.

One French Summer – Boutique Emporium

187 Avenue Road, Mosman.  Phone: 0438 401 777

If it’s French country homewares and furniture you’re after than a visit to me & mo homewares boutique is a must.  This wonderful boutique should come with a warning and that would be to come here when you have plenty of time and accompanied by someone who will understand why you just fainted on the velvety and luxurious French daybed on display and why you can’t seem to leave without at least a handful of items before even entering the store.  This stunning store on Military Road Mosman caters for lovers of all things French specialising in French provincial furniture and quality, luxury accessories and homewares for the French inspired home.  The boutique is filled with stunning pieces that are hard to resist and you’ll want to fill every corner and bare spot in your home with something here.  If you’re searching for that perfect armour or display cabinet, console, plush provincial sofa or occasional chair, lamp, candelabra, over sized clocks or pretty French country home accessories or homewares this boutique with chic won’t disappoint.  Personally, I have my eye on one of me & mo’s Louis side chairs, napoleon side chair and my favourite of all time and furniture piece I’ve been dreaming of the most is their superb “Marcelle Wingback Tufted Chair” with a solid oak frame in cotton upholstery with that signature French postal stamp print that I seem to have a weakness for.  If you don’t have ample time to visit the store in Mosman then go to their on line store where you can French shop from the comfort of your own home and faint from excitement on your own daybed.

me & mo Homewares

534 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088 Phone: (02) 9960 3663

Le Pin Parasol in French translates to an umbrella pine which is a grand and beautiful pine tree with umbrella like foliage that you’ll find along the beaches of South of France particularly in Cannes where they abundantly line the beach side Boulevard de la Croisette.  In Mosman, however, Le Pin Parasol translates to a fine Mosman Market stall that offers stunningly beautiful French table linens and fabrics.  This delightful fabric supplier provides quality made to measure tablecloths as well as a variety of ready to use tablecloths in stunning authentic French imported fabrics.  Their quality imported fabrics are also used to make beautiful placemats, napkins, aprons. tea towels and the French favourite and classic toile de Jouy (traditional cotton fabrics), pique quilted tablecloths and Damasque.  Fabrics are also sold by the meter for those who are skilled enough to make their own table adornments.  They also stock beautiful, quality giftware, baskets and bedspreads to enjoy for years to come.  The French take pride in the art of table dressing and so when in doubt do what the French would do and stock up on some quality tablecloths and napkins from Le Pin Parasol that will instantly make your next dinner party or luncheon be a memorable affair with a hint of French savoir faire and elegance.  Visit their website lepinparasol.com for more information on their services and market times.

When in the mood for a delicious and authentically made crepe or gallette hop to Four Frogs Mosman – the first creperie of its kind to have opened Sydney.  As the story goes, four French men, hence the four frogs, who came to live in Sydney became best of friends and fell in love with our beaches and way of life,  Sadly, they had only one major disappointment – the lack of authentically made French crepes they enjoyed daily in France.  And so they put their French thinking berets on and came upon an ingenious idea to open their own authentic Creperie here in Sydney and spread the joy, love and French tradition of eating crepes as the French do for breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometimes as a snack to go.  It is here where the Four Frogs Creperie began and took the North by storm so much so that not long after another Four Frogs spread its legs and opened in Randwick and then in Circular Quay to be more accessible to people in other parts of Sydney.  As a regular visitor to Four Frogs in Randwick I can wholeheartedly say that one taste of their sweet or savoury crepes and you will be immediately transported back to France by the wholesome, delicious and authentic taste of their crepes.  Come for breakfast lunch or dinner and try Four Frogs amazing crepes and I would recommend them all it is honestly difficult to pick a favourite sweet crepe topping or savoury galette (buckwheat crepe), however, make sure you do try their home made chocolate or caramel sauce.  Also be sure to sample an apple cider from their lovely selection of ciders from France which is the traditional drink that accompanies a galette in France.  When in Mosman, I make sure I pay a visit to Four Frogs original Creperie and take a seat inside where I can enjoy the friendly French vibe, waiters with French accents and lively activity behind the counter.   For more on French Frogs go to my “restaurants” category and read about my wonderful experiences time and again at Four Frogs – one of my favourite places to enjoy a casual, simple and delicious French meal in Sydney.

Four Frogs Mosman 1/175-179 Avenue Road Mosman 

There is a newcomer that has jumped on the French bandwagon of Mosman – the magnificent Bistro Moncur which has been a French institution for over 20 years in Woollahra.  Now you can enjoy Bistro Moncur’s splendid menu at Mosman in a stunning venue set inside a beautiful glasshouse surrounded by Mosman’s signature leafy trees.  All the classic Bistro Moncur dishes you would expect and hope to find on the menu are there like prime fillet steak with sauce béarnaise, grilled sirloin café de Paris, confit ocean trout with orang hollandaise and salmon roe, salmon marinated in sauvignon blanc, French onion soufflé gratin and so many more exceptional dishes to choose from.  Enjoy a cocktail with a French twist or a French wine at Bar Moncur which is an extension and wonderful addition to the restaurant with an ambience you won’t forget.  Read more about Bistro Moncur Woollhara and Mosman in the weeks to come under the “restaurants” category of entrancedbyfrance.com.

French inspired bakeries and patisseries are abound in Mosman each with their own unique personality and specialties.  The Little French Patisserie, Le Breton, L’eclair patisserie, St Honore Bakery, Rustique Bakery and Le Patissier/Chocolatier are some of the French treasures you’ll discover in Mosman.   Some of these long standing bakeries, mostly along Military Road, are where locals go to buy fresh quality bread, baguettes, pastries, quiches and heavenly cakes made in the traditions of France.   Pop in for a delicious treat and coffee and hang with the locals or just grab a crusty baguette or flaky croissant to take away and enjoy at home you will be impressed by the high standards of baked goods on offer.  My favourite patisserie in Mosman would have to be the Parisian inspired The Little French Patisserie where mon mari and I have enjoyed many a tasty and flaky croissant, divine macarons, sensational tarts and quiche and of coarse outstanding boules and baguettes that transport me straight to Paris.  Enjoy an excuse to visit this delightful French Patisserie/café, with its signature yellow stripes and pleasant ambience, where you can sit down on a Paris café chair and savour something sweet or savoury with a quality coffee and feel like you’re somewhere in Paris.  Visit entrancedbyfrance.com again soon for a more detailed blog post on the bakeries and other speciality food stores in Mosman.   So next time you’re in the mood for something French pay a visit to this lovely part of Sydney and be transported to Paris and don’t be surprised if you’ll never want to leave.

C’EST TOUT MES CHERS LECTEURS!