Info via AmCham KH English News, photos via KH City Govt
From last Friday through Sunday night (May 25th), the Pier 2 area was transformed into something as close as one can get to Côte d’Azur” (the French Riviera), while still being in Kaohsiung. The visual theme, created by French illustrator Christopher Boyd, blended the sunny sea life of southern France with the unique vibe of Kaohsiung Harbor.
Last year’s Kaohsiung French Festival drew a more-than-respectable 110,000 visitors. But this year? Over 160,000 in just three days – a 45% increase! Organizers credit the growth to positive word-of-mouth, a stronger lineup of vendors and activities, and increasing local appetite for global cultural events. People from Tainan, Taichung, and even Taipei, told AmCham Kaohsiung English News that they’d booked a weekend in Kaohsiung specifically for the French Festival, and hotels near Pier-2 reported a weekend spike in bookings.
Luckily, the weather cooperated in maintaining the French Riveria feel, and predicted showers failed to materialize. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, as well as reps from the Central Govt and local govt heads all attended the Friday opening.
Over the three days, throngs of visitors wandered through dozens of open-air booths (some 80 vendors), indulging in an array of authentic French cuisine—from artisanal pastries and fresh-baked breads to fine regional specialties.
A major crowd-puller was the lineup of live entertainment. Rising French-Taiwanese jazz star Estelle Perrault, and French singers Jaime Bono & Gauthier Herbin kept crowds entranced with their vocal talents while bands ADOGA & ELATION gave memorable performances.
French Office representatives visiting from Taipei emphasized that the goal isn’t just to showcase French products, but to build cultural bridges between Taiwan and France—through music, food, language, and shared experiences. One official noted, “It’s not just about selling wine or croissants—it’s about showing that French culture is accessible, enjoyable, and compatible with Taiwanese life.”
Online forums and social media were flooded with comments like: “I felt like I was in Europe for a day!” “The kids loved it—we learned some French and ate too much cheese!” “Can we do a Spanish or Italian one next?”
Given the glowing reviews and record attendance, Kaohsiung City officials say they’re already planning for 2026 … and if the organizers have anything to say about it, next year’s fête will be much, much bigger.
