If things would have turned out a bit differently, I might speak French in La nouvelle Zélande, aujourd’hui!

I took a day trip out to the Banks Peninsula, that sits on the middle of the East coast, a bit south of Christchurch. Formed by two massive volcanos, the peninsula is mountainous, rugged, and possesses several massive harbors and beautiful bays.

The two main harbors, Akaroa and Lyttelton, are actually the craters of the volcanos, today filled with sea water.

It was a beautiful drive, through the tunnel to Lyttelton, around Governor’s Bay, up and down the hills and over the pass, along the scenic Summit Road, into Akaroa Bay, up again, on to Okains Bay and back.

I was a bit too late for the harbor cruise or to swim with the dolphins (prices are steep, too) but it is definitely worth a day trip, or even to stay a day or two for some extensive hikes.

Akaroa is cute, even though a bit touristy. Flying the tricolore over the harbor, it is very proud of its French past.

Both British and French were trying to get control of the islands. With Australia already firmly in British hands, the French wanted the other part of the prey.

So in 1839, 63 French settlers left la douce France for the other side of the world, where they arrived in 1840, and founded the settlement of Port Louis-Philippe.

Unfortunately, the Brits beat them to it, as they had in the meantime reached a deal with the Māori chiefs, the (in-)famous Treaty of Waitangi,

So the settlers stayed on, and merged into the British colony… but the town, today called Akaroa, still has some French influence, notably a couple of street names.

I had also hoped for a real French bakery and some croissant au beurre, but it was all New Zealand muffins…