Merveilles: A World-First French Spectacle Is Coming to Melbourne

There’s a reason the organisers of Merveilles chose Melbourne for its global debut. Our love affair with all things French runs deep through this city – woven through our chic bistros, convivial wine bars, and our undisputed status as the arts, culture and gastronomy capital.

From 22–24 October that l’amour scales up dramatically when MCEC transforms into a vivid world of French light, sound and artistry for Merveilles – The French Touch Week. The brainchild of acclaimed producers Baudouin Lacoste and Jean-Pierre Ferrand, the founders of French experiential powerhouse Allegria, Merveilles is split into two different experiences for different audiences. Together, the events capture the full essence of what sets French culture apart.

Are we excited? Absolument.

Château Merveilles: A French Odyssey

Château Merveilles kickstarts the celebrations on Thursday 22 October, bringing an extraordinary evening of creativity and enlightenment to MCEC via a 360-degree cinematic and dining experience .

Embark on an odyssey through some of France’s biggest cultural landmarks – the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the sun-drenched Riviera – all without leaving South Wharf.

“There's nothing else like it anywhere on earth, and it only happens for one magical evening. This show isn’t something you just watch – it's something you live from the inside out … a complete sensory experience. And just like any world premiere, you'll want to be able to say: I saw it, I was there… I lived it!” says Baudouin Lacoste from Allegria Agency, the experiential agency behind Merveilles.

As MCEC’s walls come alive with monumental projections, cinematic storytelling, sound design and scenography, guests will be treated to cocktails and Champagne under a curtain of stars and an exquisite four-course gala dinner. The menu, paired with fine French wine, is designed by three luminaries of Australian French gastronomy: Guillaume Brahimi, Pierrick Boyer and Quentin Zerr.

Image (from left to right): Pierrick Boyer, Guillaume Brahimi and Quentin Zerr

A portion of the proceeds from the black-tie gala supports the French Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation (FACEF).

What You Need to Know

• Thursday 22 October

• Black-tie gala event for 1,000 guests

• Individual tickets available from A$658 + GST per person, or A$6,580 + GST for a corporate table of 10

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Electro Merveilles: A Sonic Spectacle

Two unmissable nights. One iconic venue. Prepare for total sensory takeover as 4,100 square metres of breathtaking 360-degree projection transform MCEC into a pulsating dancefloor of light and sound. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of more than 10 French and Australian DJs, Electro Merveilles is an immersive electronic experience unlike any other you’ll witness this year.

Celebrating the sheer elegance, creativity, and audacity of French electronic music, this extraordinary event fuses cutting-edge digital art with monumental scenography. Buckle in – the French revolution unfolds across two epic nights on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October.

Leading the charge is Tchami, a pioneer of future house and global name. Tchami joins Australian artist Tigerlily across both Melbourne nights, in a line-up that includes Parisian underground DJ Fred B Side, and Australia’s own Tyson O'Brien, Alex Hosking and K-Vision.

Image (from left to right): Tchami and Tigerlily

Two 88-metre projection walls (longer than Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors) and two 34-metre walls wrap around the entire dancefloor, with imagery stretching 17 metres overhead – a five-storey wall of moving light illuminating the crowd below.

Powered by the state-of-the-art AV technology and world-class capabilities MCEC is renowned for, this spatial production places you right at the heart of the spectacle.

What You Need to Know

• Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, 4pm–11pm

• DJ and Dance for 2,400 guests each night, 18+

• Individual tickets from $99, packages available

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