Paris to Canberra: iconic French market makes its first stop outside Sydney at Thoroughbred Park

For the first time in its six-year history, Le Marché: Sydney's French Market is leaving its homebase. 

The award-winning market, which draws 130,000 visitors a year across its three Sydney sites, will make its highly anticipated interstate debut at Thoroughbred Park this Sunday 30 August. Large crowds are expected, as it brings more than 45 stalls of French food, wine and craftsmanship to Canberra for the first time. 

Solveig Coulon, Founder and Head Organiser of Le Marché, said the move to Canberra had been driven by demand from customers well beyond Sydney, and that Thoroughbred Park had stood out as the right home for the market's first trip outside New South Wales. 

"We receive demands from customers outside of Sydney asking us to come to other states. Canberra was the natural next step, and Thoroughbred Park ticked every box that mattered, parking, electricity access, the space to bring the full market experience. The venue team were also genuinely supportive and responsive through planning, which made the whole process far smoother than it had any right to be." Coulon said. 

Thoroughbred Park's Events and Conferencing Sales Executive, Tia, highlighted she and the team are always happy to hear from organisers looking to bring markets such as Solveig's to Thoroughbred Park, in addition to conferences, festivals and private events, with Le Marché's debut a clear example of what the space can accommodate. 

Canberrans can expect the same authentic French market experience that has made Le Marché a fixture of the Sydney events calendar, including handmade pastries, French cuisine and artisan stallholders, alongside something built specifically for its new home. 

"An authentic French market experience, proper French cuisine, unique gifts, fresh pastries, the artisans who make it all by hand. That doesn't change city to city. What's different is we're bringing local Canberra businesses in alongside the French stallholders; it's a destination built with the city it's in." Coulon said. 

Le Marché's Sydney iteration has picked up industry awards, including recognition for its role in celebrating the friendship between Australia and France. Coulon said that connection was central to why the concept had resonated so strongly with Australian audiences. 

"The Excellence Award acknowledged that the market is participating in the friendship between Australia and France, and I think that friendship is exactly why the market works. Australians genuinely love France, the culture, the cuisine, and the lifestyle that comes with it. Le Marché just gives them a way to step into that for a few hours without a plane ticket." Coulon said. 

Coulon said Thoroughbred Park's existing reputation as a venue for multicultural events and community connection made it a natural partner for the market's first move beyond Sydney. "We wanted a venue that already understands what it means to bring different cultures together, not one we'd have to convince from scratch. That shared instinct made Thoroughbred Park feel like the right fit from day one." 

First time visitors will find more than 45 stalls to explore, with Coulon pointing to a handful of stops no one should miss. "Start with the saucisson stall and the French supermarket, then get in line for the raclette, non-negotiable. Beyond the food, don't miss the champagne candles, the French raincoats, and the handmade fascinators." 

While Sunday 30 August marks Le Marché's first visit to Canberra, Coulon said the ambition was for it to become a regular fixture on the city's calendar. "We'd love for this to become an annual rendez-vous. Nothing's locked in yet, but that's very much the ambition." 

Le Marché will be held at Thoroughbred Park this Sunday 30 August, marking the first time the market has left Sydney in its six-year history and the first time it has been held in Canberra, with free entry for all attendees.