The 13th Shanghai French Week is taking place on Yandang Road from October 13 to 19. Part of the Shanghai Tourism Festival, the event is organized by the company Gibcom, and supported by the Huangpu District Tourism Bureau and the Consulate General of France in Shanghai. With the purpose of promoting French lifestyle and products, about 20 exhibitors set up stands and are presenting their products during this week. The first day already attracted huge numbers.

It is the first time that the online headband brand Les Petites Shanghaiennes is attending the Shanghai French Week. The designer, Fleur Adeline, created this brand for handmade headbands, caps and jewelry, launching it in Shanghai this past May.

Venessa Gaudechon, the salesperson from Les Petites Shanghaiennes, told the Global Times: "Adeline fell in love with her boyfriend in Shanghai, so she decided to do something here. She then created the brand Les Petites Shanghaiennes. In hopes of keeping the French style of the brand, the name is in French, but also has an essence of Shanghai with the word 'Shanghaiennes.'"

All the collections of the headbands are named for the districts in Shanghai, such as: "Meet me in Jingan," "My French Concession" and "On the Bund." Fleur Adeline owns three stores in Paris and a showroom in Shanghai. There are also other booths representing fashion brands, perfumes, body care products, and jewelry.

During the French Week, visitors can literally "eat their way up." Exhibitors have brought French chocolates, bread, pastries, wine, handmade ice cream, cheese, and crepes for people to sample and to purchase.

All the bread and pastries from Daniel Bakery were sold out in only a day's time. The bakers from France spoke Chinese, and they explained their artisanal bread to the consumers. When the stand was about to close, one girl asked the baker: "Is there anything left?" The baker answered in Chinese: "Meiyou le, ni keyi mingtian lai. (No, you can come back tomorrow.)" The girl did not give up, and she asked again pointing at the one last baguette left on the shelf: "How about this one?" The baker said with a smile: "Sorry, it is mine." People around laughed, finding that moment quite entertaining.

The organizers also moved a bocce court to Yandang Road for visitors to play. Bocce is called "la pétanque" in French. It is quite famous in the south of France, such as in Provence and Lyon. The rules of bocce are explained during the activity and visitors can get on the court to try the game.

In addition to the many booths, there are also a variety of performances and activities for the public. The Montmartre Trio band is performing beautiful French songs during the week, and a fashion show will be held on October 18.

Emmanuel Lenain, the French Consul General in Shanghai, attended the opening ceremony. He said: "This year's Shanghai French Week is quite special, since this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. This is also the 13th Shanghai French Week. We hope to carry on this activity and organize one French Week every year."

Emmanuel Lenain, the French Consul General in Shanghai, attended the opening ceremony of the Shanghai French Week. 

 

 

 

 

French delicacies brought by exhibitors at the Shanghai French Week

Photos: Yang Lan/GT