- How to find: New Zealand, South Island, Banks Peninsula, 80 km from Christchurch to the south;
- Entertainment: festival of French culture, excursion tours on pleasure boats
Akaroa is a village on the South Island of New Zealand . It is called "Little France" and it is well deserved.
In 1838, the captain of a French whaler agreed with the Maori chiefs to purchase a territory of 30,000 acres for not a large quantity of goods for a sum of 6 pounds sterling as an advance and 234 pounds sterling a little later. Within a year, old ships began to sail there with the French, who were supposed to settle the territory they bought. New residents quickly settled on a New Zealand island and it seemed to them nothing prevented, until the island came to the British. They found out that the French colony had bought territory, and came to subdue and seize the new territory. For several years there were negotiations between France and England, as a result, King Louis Philippe yielded to the British. Over time, the French colony still won the right to this territory.
What to see?
Akaroa is a "small France", surrounded by New Zealand landscapes. A French flag is raised above each house, which reminds you that you are not in the Pacific Ocean, but in "Western Europe". All the houses in the village are made in the French style, which looks quite atmospheric and convincing.
Akaroa is located on the coast of the Gulf of Akaroa, thanks to which there are many interesting entertainments. The most surprising of them are sightseeing tours on pleasure boats, which include "swimming with dolphins". That is, you swim on a boat among dolphins, while many of them are happy to go to contact and give themselves to pat.
In Akaroa, once a year, there is a French festival that fills the heart of New Zealand with a real French atmosphere. Therefore, once in New Zealand during the festival, be sure to visit it. Its program and date can be found on the official website.
Local residents are struggling to preserve all that makes the village French, and convince their guests that they are true French.
Where is?
The village of Akaroa is located in the south of the South Island, between Stiglitz and Binalong Bay. In order to get to the French village you need to go along the Tasman Hwy road, then turn to Binalong Bay Rd and follow the signpost. After 20 minutes you will be in place.
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