French President Emmanuel Macron visited Louisana on Friday, the American state most closely aligned historically with his country, to celebrate their longstanding cultural ties.
On what was the last day of his official visit, Macron’s visit was concluded by a speech at the New Orleans Museum of Art, where he announced plans to expand programming to support French language education in the United States.
“This program is part of everything that we want to continue to revive and strengthen for our Francophonie. Because I am convinced that French is a language of the future,” Macron said.
Macron’s visit is the first by a French president since Valery Giscard d’Estaing traveled to Lafayette and New Orleans in 1976.
The only other French president to visit Louisiana was Charles de Gaulle in 1960.
