France's Ambassador to the U.S. Francois Delattre was in Jacksonville on Thursday to help kick off the city's second annual celebration commemorating Jean Ribault's arrival at the St. Johns River in 1562.
French Week includes numerous events like special menu items at several local restaurants, a French film festival at Edward Waters College and a "French Quarter" during Art Walk on May 1st.
Delattre also helped cut the ribbon on the new North American Headquarters of Buffet Group. The France-based company is one of the world's leading manufactures of musical wind instruments.
Delattre says France has a special relationship with the Jacksonville area both economically and culturally.
He also visited the Saft advanced technology battery plant at the Cecil Commerce Center.
Saft, a French company specializing in high technology batteries, opened the plant in September of 2011.
