Florence Jeanblanc-Risler recommends visiting beautiful French villages like Riquewihr, in Alsace. Photo / 123RF
Diplomats tell us what Kiwis need to know about their homelands.
The thing you probably know about my country is: Paris, French flair, the arts, wine and food, Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle and yes, Les Bleus beat the All Blacks from time to time.
But the thing you really should know is: France is a country that stretches from the
Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna) to the Americas (Guyana, French Indies and St Pierre et Miquelon), from Africa (Reunion) to the southern Indian Ocean (the Kerguelen Islands).
Over there, we think Kiwis are: Our only rugby mates, valiant and friendly allies "from the uttermost ends of the Earth", outstanding adventurers like Sir Ed, outdoor enthusiasts from a unique country.
On a short visit, you should: Visit Paris, now more than ever. Like your Prime Minister and his family, watch the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Elysees; look down this avenue from the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower's twinkling lights.
