Who we are

The French Island General Store and cafe has been run by the Le Serve family and their helpful staff since 2016. The store operates on the original site of the Tankerton Post Office, which opened on 3 September 1890.

French Island General Store is the only shop on French Island, and is unique in that it
is a community and tourism hub; dine-in and takeaway cafe; small grocery store; post office; newsagent; bottle shop; bait and produce shop; petrol and LPG station; bike/car hire venue; and accommodation provider.

You can find us at 289 Tankerton Rd French Island.

How we do it

Our whole business is run by and efficient renewable energy system comprising solar panels, wind turbine and a backup diesel generator. Our store is a complete off-the-grid system, as is the whole the island. French Island the only unincorporated territory in the state of Victoria, and has no government services: no electricity; water supply; paved roads; garbage collection services; medical services or police.  Community issues are dealt with by the French Island Community Association.  The population on 2021 census night was recorded as 139 with a median age of 52 years.