Le Marché
Meet Solveig Coulon, the vibrant host and owner of Le Marché, the much-loved French market that brings a taste of France to the heart of Willoughby. Since opening five years ago, Solveig has been curating a unique market experience that celebrates French culture, cuisine, and craftsmanship.
Le Marché is now recognised as offering Australia’s largest selection of French food and crafts, with everything from freshly baked goods and artisan cheese to one-of-a-kind perfumes, photographs and textiles. Solveig also takes pride in sourcing from small Australian producers, offering local honey, marmalades, and fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms.
Le Marché draws visitors from as far as Southern Highlands, the Central Coast and even Newcastle, making it a true destination market in Sydney. But it’s the connection to locals that makes it most special. ‘It’s more than a market,’ says one long-time neighbour. ‘It’s our Sunday tradition.’
Solveig says
Originally from France, Solveig was inspired to share the beauty of French life with Australians after discovering the special bond between the two cultures. ‘There’s a true love story between France and Australia,’ she shares. ‘When I moved here, I wanted to bring the culture, the food, and the handmade products to life—right here in the community.’
Why choose Willoughby to start my business?
‘There’s a strong sense of community here,’ says Solveig. ‘People love to shop local, support small business, and come together.’ The market has grown into a vibrant gathering place, where families, friends, and even furry companions come to eat, relax, and enjoy the village-style atmosphere.
Solveig adds, ‘The most rewarding part, the most beautiful gift, is the love and support from this community. It keeps us going.’
How to support this business
You can support Le Marché by:
- Watching and sharing their Support Local video on your social media to help spread the word.
- Let friends and neighbours know about this vibrant French market at Laurelbank, offering authentic food, crafts, and a warm community atmosphere in the heart of Willoughby.
- Visiting Le Marché on market day to experience first-hand what makes it such a beloved and unique gathering place in the neighbourhood.
Willoughby local centre information
Willoughby is a charming district blending village-like character with urban amenities. Along Willoughby Road and nearby streets, you'll discover a diverse range of specialty shops and services creating a friendly community atmosphere.
Home design enthusiasts will find a remarkable collection of specialty stores including Signature Appliances offering premium kitchen and laundry appliances, No Chintz for fabrics and textiles, Oishi Furniture, Porter's Paints and Style My Home showcasing Hamptons Inspired Interiors .
Just around the corner on Penshurst Street, the design precinct continues with kitchen design specialists including Premier Kitchens Australia, Swish Kitchen and Leicht Kitchens Australia, furniture retailers like Le Forge and French Accent, and complemented by renovation and construction companies.
This concentration of complementary unique and specialised home design businesses makes the Willoughby area an ideal one-stop destination for homeowners and designers.
How to get involved with Support Local
Support Local is Willoughby City Council’s campaign to spotlight exceptional local businesses that contribute to the area's economic vitality and cultural vibrancy. Through engaging storytelling, video features and interviews, the campaign celebrates the entrepreneurs behind high-quality businesses that offer something truly unique to the local community.
Businesses that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Demonstrate high quality in products or services
- Offer unique and innovative experiences
- Attract residents to local centres and draw visitors to Willoughby
- Enhance the area’s economic and cultural diversity
The campaign supports the broader goal of encouraging residents to shop locally, sustaining jobs and helping shield the community from wider economic challenges. Featuring in Support Local is an opportunity to gain valuable exposure while strengthening Willoughby’s position as a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit.
Businesses that align with the local economic development strategy and contribute to increased foot traffic in the area will be prioritised.
Business nomination form