--- title: "A French Affair: Ponant’s Dual Bastille Day Parties Across Australia" description: Ponant celebrates Bastille Day in true French style with events in Terrigal & Melbourne, bringing together partners over cuisine, champagne, & camaraderie. image: https://blog.swblack.com.au/hubfs/A%20French%20Affair%20Ponant%E2%80%99s%20Dual%20Bastille%20Day%20Parties%20Across%20Australia.png --- [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) Search toggle - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK3yOX5wHTHwm-FDUMq2TQ) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/swblack_travel/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/61555934000311/) [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-white-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) Search toggle [![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-black-high-res")](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Home](https://swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) Cruises - [Cruise Finder](https://cruises.swblack.com.au/) - [Cruises from Sydney](https://www.swblack.com.au/cruises-from-sydney/) - [Flights](https://www.swblack.com.au/airfares/) - [About Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.swblack.com.au) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK3yOX5wHTHwm-FDUMq2TQ) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/swblack_travel/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/61555934000311/) Search toggle What are you looking for? Search # A French Affair: Ponant’s Dual Bastille Day Parties Across Australia 20 July 2025 ![Picture of Shane Black](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/452bb66b2a61376126610bd44c59c023) [Shane Black](https://blog.swblack.com.au/author/s-w-black) ![Ponant Bastille Day](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hubfs/A%20French%20Affair%20Ponant%E2%80%99s%20Dual%20Bastille%20Day%20Parties%20Across%20Australia.png) A French Affair: Ponant’s Dual Bastille Day Parties Across Australia 5:32 Few cruise lines capture the elegance of French luxury like **Ponant**, and this past Bastille Day, the brand proved again why it continues to enchant travellers and partners alike. Instead of limiting the festivities to one location, [**Ponant celebrated Bastille Day**](https://au.ponant.com/destinations/australia) with not one, but two stunning events held simultaneously in **New South Wales** and **Victoria**. In typical Ponant fashion, both occasions were a toast to France’s enduring spirit, with an atmosphere of warmth, conviviality, and cultural appreciation. These gatherings weren’t just symbolic gestures—they were immersive experiences designed to honour the cruise line’s French heritage while showing appreciation for the very travel advisors who help share Ponant’s signature style of small-ship exploration with the world. ## Terrigal's Seaside Elegance With French Hospitality Overlooking the calming shores of **Terrigal**, a scenic town along the Central Coast, [**Ponant**](https://en.ponant.com/)’s **National Sales Manager Sandra Cahill**, alongside Tauck’s **Helen Eves**, hosted a Bastille Day celebration at L’isle de France. This picturesque French restaurant perfectly matched the occasion’s tone, with local **travel advisors** from agencies welcomed into a space that exuded coastal charm fused with French elegance. ![Ponant Bastille Party](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Ponant%20Bastille%20Party.png?width=850&height=526&name=Ponant%20Bastille%20Party.png) The event was more than a mere afternoon gathering—it was a heartfelt display of hospitality. With a curated setting and thoughtful service, attendees experienced a little slice of France in NSW. They dined, networked, and reflected on the power of shared travel experiences, the kind that Ponant excels at offering on its boutique expedition yachts. ### Reinforcing Travel Partnerships in NSW This celebration also represented Ponant’s commitment to the **Australian travel trade**, particularly those operating in regional hubs like the Central Coast. With travel resurgent and expedition cruising continuing to grow, events like these create vital momentum and reaffirm Ponant’s trust in its partners. By offering an up-close taste of French hospitality, Ponant not only deepened relationships but also encouraged continued excitement for its upcoming sailings—particularly those exploring remote destinations such as the **Kimberley**, **Antarctica**, and the **Mediterranean**. ## A Culinary Immersion in Melbourne With Chef Diane Holuigue Meanwhile in **Melbourne**, **Victoria and Tasmania State Manager Annabelle Brown** led another intimate Bastille Day celebration—this time, through an interactive cooking experience at **The French Kitchen** in Armadale. With iconic chef **Diane Holuigue** guiding the way, guests rolled up their sleeves to prepare a traditional four-course French meal in a rustic provincial kitchen setting. Far from a spectator event, this experience turned travel partners into chefs, blending teamwork, laughter, and delicious aromas in a way that felt quintessentially French. From delicate sauces to perfectly plated mains, every course told a story of craftsmanship—echoing the precision and luxury Ponant brings to each of its voyages. ### Champagne, Conversation, and Camaraderie After the cooking came the best part: a **long-table lunch**, filled with flowing wine, good conversation, and the kind of relaxed intimacy that makes French culture so alluring. Attendees from top agencies shared stories over champagne, celebrating both the day and their shared love of meaningful travel experiences. Events like these go beyond product training—they create memories that travel professionals can bring into every client conversation. And when it comes to **luxury expedition cruising**, it’s those personal stories that help clients connect with the unique experiences Ponant offers on board and ashore. --- Ponant’s decision to host dual Bastille Day events across Australia reflects its ability to merge **local engagement with global sophistication**. Both the Terrigal and Melbourne gatherings tapped into what makes Ponant special: its French roots, its deep respect for cultural nuance, and its dedication to travel as a personal, transformative experience. These aren’t just marketing events—they’re real-time extensions of Ponant’s brand story. As the brand continues to grow its footprint in the Australian market, travellers looking for premium, culturally immersive journeys are likely to hear more about these kinds of high-touch engagements from their advisors. If you’ve been dreaming of cruising in refined French style, it’s worth seeing what itineraries align with your personal travel style. Visit our[Cruise Finder](https://cruisefinder.swblack.com.au/) to explore Ponant’s upcoming luxury expeditions—from Arctic and Antarctic adventures to Mediterranean escapes and beyond. And if you're inspired by the kind of thoughtful hosting Ponant displayed across these Bastille Day celebrations, rest assured: the same attention to detail, warmth, and cultural depth are what await on board.  ## Start Planning Your French-Inspired Voyage Today Bastille Day may be a one-day celebration, but Ponant’s passion for connection, cuisine, and cultural elegance lasts year-round. Through meaningful partnerships and immersive experiences, the cruise line brings a unique European flair to every touchpoint—on land and at sea. To learn more about upcoming **Ponant expeditions** or to chat about creating your own dream itinerary, feel free to[reach out to our team](https://www.swblack.com.au/contact-us/) at S.W. Black Travel. We’re here to help you cruise like a connoisseur. 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Black Travel. He has travelled extensively and is never too far away from his next trip. His extensive knowledge and dedication to providing exceptional travel experiences have established S.W. Black Travel as a premier travel agency. Shane’s vision is to create unforgettable journeys for clients, combining personalised service with expert insights into the world’s most captivating destinations. [shane@swblack.com.au](mailto:shane@swblack.com.au) ## Comments ## Related posts Search [Solo Pricing For Festive Pacific Island Paradise Cruise Package](https://blog.swblack.com.au/solo-pricing-for-festive-pacific-island-paradise-cruise?hsLang=en-au) [Big Dreams and Bigger Escapes: Carnival's 2027/28 Cruise Season](https://blog.swblack.com.au/big-dreams-and-bigger-escapes-carnivals-2027/28-cruise-season?hsLang=en-au) Search ![S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-foil-gold](https://blog.swblack.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-foil-gold.png?width=250&name=S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-foil-gold.png "S-W-Black-signature-logo-undertag-foil-gold") Your Cruise Package Specialist - [Contact Us](https://www.swblack.com.au/contact-us/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://swblack.com.au/terms--conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://swblack.com.au/privacy-policy) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/SW-Black-Travel/61555934000311/) [Follow us on X](https://www.instagram.com/swblack_travel/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.youtube.com/@SWBlack_Travel) [Follow us on Facebook](https://cruisefinder.swblack.com.au/) ©2025 S.W. 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