French Pavilion offers weddings of a lifetime

scene of the launching ceremony

scene of the signing ceremony

Jean Germain, Mayor of the French city of Tours, gives a speech.

Zhu Zhengping, CEO of Shanghai Sinnsa, gives a speech.

an artist's rendition of French Pavilion

scene of weddings

The French Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo prepares to offer dream weddings for 2,010 couples during the six-month event, and online applications will start in late May, Jean Germain, Mayor of the French city of Tours announced yesterday in Shanghai.

Couples will tie the knot inside classical French-style gardens in the pavilion, Germain said at a ceremony marking the start of the event. Tours has operated several group weddings for Chinese couples since 2007.

French actor Alain Delon will witness some of the weddings as he is the World Expo 2010 ambassador for France.

The weddings will run through the Expo and special activities are being planned for June 21, 2010, the national day of the French Pavilion, said Zhu Zhengping, CEO of Shanghai Sinnsa, which takes charge of the promotion and organizing of the event in China.

All couples will enter a lucky draw, in which about 10 percent of them will have a honeymoon in castles in the Loire Valley in Tours as well as Switzerland and Italy. However, they have to pay part of the expenses by themselves, Zhu said.

Those interested in the program can check detailed information at www.tours.fr or 51hahua.com.

The 6,000-square-meter pavilion, dubbed "The Sensual City," will showcase the sights, smells, tastes, sounds, feel and glamour of France, promising a sensual experience, as well as one that makes people think about what a "good life" should really mean.

Restaurants at the pavilion will offer the best of French cooking in an outdoor setting, with flowing water, singing birds, fragrant flowers and marvelous food.