Paradise Lost - Utopia Reclaimed: Writing the Wrongs of French Exploration in the Antipodes

When France's attempts to claim regions of Australia failed, the dream of an Antipodean paradise was lost. In its breach rose a new utopian frontier. Paradoxically, this anticipatory perspective revives a form of utopianism previously established in classical French-Australian writings. Whether framing an ideal France australe or criticising a non-utopian British reality, the ongoing role of utopianism in French-Australian (post)colonial discourse may be analysed as a case study for cross-cultural encounters. The findings, published in English and French monographs, opened up new methods for understanding Australia's past, present and future relations with one of its major cultural influences.