Planes, trains and automobiles are currently the talk of the town. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but while Singapore Heritagefest 2023 celebrates the country’s public transportation history, Alliance Française de Singapour has put up an exhibition on innovative French transport.
The Around the World retrospective showcases various modes of French transport through the ages., inspired by French author Jules Verne’s Extraordinary Voyages Collection, including the acclaimed novel Around the World in 80 Days.
Part of of MOVE!, its 10th French Excellence Programme, follow Phileas Fogg’s challenges in the novel and journal your extraordinary journey in the Itinerary Office as you learn about French engineering and innovation through different eras.
Beginning with air travel, discover iconic aircrafts that shaped modern aviation, including the first supersonic Air France Concorde from 1969 – still the record holder for some fastest commercial flight journeys today.
Travelling by land, learn about the intercity TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse), which continually pushes the limits of high-speed rail technology. In addition, the new-generation TGV M (“M” for modular) demonstrates eco-friendly and economical travel.
Maritime transport displays a model of SS France, a symbol of French excellence, depicting its role in captivating sea passengers in the 1960s as the once-longest transatlantic liner in history.
Virtual Reality introduces space travel like never before in the last segment as you follow in the footsteps of French astronaut Thomas Pesquet during his six months on the International Space Station. Book this experience here.
Other MOVE! activities include screenings of The Wolf’s Call, starring Omar Sy from Lupin on Netflix; Around the World in 80 Days; a chuck glider workshop; a Transportation Tomorrow talk by Collège de France professor Jean-Marie Tarascon; and a wine-tasting workshop. As a nod to Michelin in French transportation, the workshop is hosted by three-Michelin-starred Les Amis and led by Hervé Pennequin, third in the 2004 Sommelier World Championship.
The exhibition is open from now till Jul 15. Entrance is free. Plus, each visitor stands to win an Air France Singapore-Paris flight ticket. To participate, submit your entry ticket and complete a quiz about the exhibition.
For more information, visit alliancefrancaise.org.sg/move#.
