A Huge French Festival Is Coming to Wellington

It took over the Auckland waterfront last August, attracting 14,000 visitors for one day of Champagne, cheese and croissants. This year, it's Wellington's turn. Le Renault French Festival will be held at Odlins Plaza from June 14-17, 2018.

Le French Village will serve as the daytime market with 65 stalls offering everything from food to fashion and language lessons. Have your breakfast 'à la française' with coffee and a croissant, enjoy a glass of wine from the motherland while stocking up on bottles for home, discover the world's less tiring sport while downing a glass of traditional Pastis, soak up an ever-rotating collection of French short films, sit back and listen to local music, or crunch numbers at a French business conference — they really have it all covered.

The market will continue on Saturday night for the French fan zone — two giant screens will broadcast the All Blacks vs. XV de France match. The game will be followed by a French artist concert to continue the party.

After dark, One Night in France will be led by the biggest French banquet in New Zealand. Three long tables of 150 people — all donning the nation's colours of blue, red and white — will fill the Plaza as three chefs whip-up a five-course feast, including one course entirely dedicated to cheese and a glass of bubbles on arrival.

Le Renault French Festival will take place at Odlins Plaza from June 14-17, 2018.