French Takeover of Southsea Castle
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th April, 10am-5pm.
Southsea Castle is the site of a friendly French invasion this weekend (8 and 9 April).
Nearly 500 years since Henry VIII watched a hostile French fleet from the castle's battlements, it will host a free weekend festival of food, drink and music from across the Channel.
The event has been set up by Portsmouth City Council and organisations in Portsmouth's twin city of Caen in Normandy, including the Caen tourist office and its Memorial museum.
From 10am to 5pm each day, visitors can sample traditional Normandy goodies including biscuits, shortbread, cider and puddings, with live music from a Caen indie-folk duo.
Cllr Linda Symes, the council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: "We've been twinned with Caen since 1987 and our two cities have built up a close friendship.
"We invited them to hold this event and bring over some of their best producers. It's a great way to make use of the castle and offer something a little different. The products coming over sound delicious, too."