The French Market: An Invitation to Experience France in Colombo
Nichol Fernando
For one Sunday, Colombo took on the spirit of a French street market. Returning for its second edition, the French Market was held at La Maison de Colombo on September 20, from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., bringing together artisanal food, handcrafted products, art, live music and local creators. For host and La Maison de Colombo co-owner Christophe Coucaud, a market is more than a place to shop; it is where people pause, connect and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Building on the success of its first edition, which welcomed more than 1,000 visitors, the market once again celebrated the values at its heart: authenticity, simplicity, community and the French art de vivre. Following the event, Christophe reflects on its inspiration, how it has evolved since its first edition and his wider vision for La Maison de Colombo as a space where French and Sri Lankan cultures can meet.
What originally inspired you to create the French Market, and what personal meaning does the event hold for you?
The concept of La Maison de Colombo has always been about creating experiences. Every month, for example, we organise wine tasting evenings with wines not available in any other places, and we also have regular French experiences such as raclette. The idea of a French Market had been in my mind for almost two years. In France, village markets are much more than places where people buy food. They are social places where people meet, stroll, talk, have a coffee, discover local products and simply enjoy being together. For me, the French Market represents another expression of what La Maison de Colombo stands for: art de vivre, authenticity, simplicity and sharing. We are so lucky to be in Stratford Avenue: a wonderful avenue, in full development where nature and naturel are a key driver aligned with our concept.
Beyond showcasing French food and products, what story about French culture did you hope the market would tell?
We wanted people to come simply to be happy. We wanted them to walk around the property, listen to the saxophone, accordion or live singer, discuss together and perhaps taste something different. The most important part was the atmosphere they experienced during the day.
French art de vivre is about appreciating simple things: good food, music, craftsmanship, friendship. If people left the market feeling that they have spent a beautiful and enjoyable day together, then we have achieved what we wanted.
How did you recreate the spirit of a traditional French market while keeping the experience relevant to Colombo?
For me, it started with the mindset in addition to the decoration. We wanted our exhibitors and our team to be welcoming, genuine and simple. They should have come because they enjoyed sharing what they did, not simply because they wanted to sell something. We were bringing a French concept to Colombo, but we were doing it in Colombo while respecting Sri Lankan culture, Sri Lankan artisans and local products.
What qualities do you look for when selecting the artisans, and vendors who participate?
We look for people who produce with love. For us, the person behind the product is almost as important as the product itself. We want people who are passionate about what they do, who respect others and who are genuinely people-oriented with honesty. We want exhibitors who come to share their passion and their know-how. Of course, a market has to work commercially. But if someone comes only thinking about turnover, I don't think they have understood the spirit of our market. I prefer someone who can look at a customer and say, “Let me tell you why and how I make this, where it comes from and why I love it.”
How important is authenticity when presenting another country’s culture, and how do you protect that authenticity?
Authenticity is extremely important, but authenticity also means humility, honesty and respect. We are in Sri Lanka. We should respect Sri Lankan culture The French Market is an invitation, not an instruction. We simply say: This is something we love in France. Come and experience it if you wish.
In what ways does the market encourage a genuine exchange between French and Sri Lankan cultures?
We think the bridge between the two cultures is much stronger when we focus on who we are, what we share.
Family, friendship, food, hospitality and the pleasure of spending time together are important in both cultures. We think France can learn from Sri Lanka for sure. Sri Lankans have an incredible ability to smile, welcome people and create happiness from simple things. That is something we deeply appreciate. In France, a village market can be an intimate moment where people take time for themselves, their friends and their family. In Sri Lanka, there is also a very strong sense of community and human connection. The French Market brings these two qualities together.
What challenges have you faced while introducing this kind of cultural event to Colombo?
La Maison de Colombo is still a relatively young business, so one of our challenges is simply to make people aware of what we are trying to create. We are not only a boutique hotel with 7 rooms. We are not only a French restaurant with iconic French food and unique French Wines. We are trying to create a place where people can come for different experiences, including photoshoots too. The challenge was therefore to create the desire to come and then to come back because of good quality, at an affordable price with a good atmosphere, smiling. We wanted people to hear about the French Market and think, “I would like to spend my Sunday there.” Giving people a reason and love to come back.
How has the public’s response to the first edition changed or expanded your original vision?
The response was incredible. Before the first edition, I told the team: “I hope 500 people will come”. In the end, we welcomed more than 1,000 visitors. But the number itself was not what made me happiest. What really touched me was the diversity of the people who came. Different communities, different generations and people from very different backgrounds, all sharing the same space. I organized the first French Market without knowing whether there would ever be a second one. Afterwards, so many people asked me to organize another edition that the decision
became quite easy. The second French Market happened on Sunday, and we are already thinking about other events, including the Christmas Market and a fashion show on October 17 with Éclat de Ceylan; another project built around the meeting of French and Sri Lankan cultures.
In a world increasingly shaped by online shopping and digital interaction, why do physical markets and community gatherings still matter?
Because human beings still need other human beings. We are living in a world where everything is becoming faster, especially with social media and digital communication. Digital technology is obviously part of our lives, and it brings enormous opportunities. But we should not lose the ability to sit together, laugh together, listen to each other, meet someone new or simply spend time with family and friends. Rugby Player, then I spent much of my professional life in sales, marketing, management and HR in a multinational company; all areas fundamentally connected with people and respect. Digital tools can help us communicate, but trust is built differently. You build trust by meeting and respecting people, listening to them, understanding them, questioning yourself. That is why physical gatherings still matter. The French Market is, in a small way, an opportunity to press pause on the speed of everyday life.
Was there a particular element of this edition that represented the French Market’s evolution most clearly?
Yes. The evolution is probably in the selection of the exhibitors but also in proposing a typical French Menu experience. For this edition, we put even more emphasis on local artisans and people who genuinely love what they do. The selection was based on people and mindset. Of course, we wanted our exhibitors to be successful. But our ambition, together with Béatrice, was first to create a unique atmosphere where every exhibitor contributed something to the experience. We wanted people who were aligned with our philosophy: authenticity, honesty, respect and a love of people. We like people for who they are. That is the atmosphere we wanted to create. In terms of the French Menu, we took the French Market opportunity to extend our Lunch Menu. Blue cheeseburger, homemade French fries, Chocolate mousse by example were proposed at 5000 LKR Net price.
Looking ahead, how would you like future editions of the French Market and La Maison de Colombo’s role as a cultural space to develop?
Ultimately, I would like La Maison de Colombo to become a place where people say:
“Let's go there. We know we will have a good and relaxing time.” That is probably the simplest definition of what I am trying to build.
