scene of the signing ceremony

Hong Hao (right), director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, shakes hands with Jose Freches, president of COFRES which is the company in charge of France's participation. 

France today officially unveiled its national pavilion for World Expo 2010 Shanghai -- the Sensual City -- as it signed a participation contract with Expo organizers.

The final design was selected from 49 candidates and features a simple building with a big French-style garden inside. The pavilion will show the glamour of France and make visitors experience it with sight, touch, taste, smell and sound, said Jose Freches, president of COFRES, the company in charge of France's participation.

The pavilion will be surrounded by water and will appear to be floating, said Freches. The reflection of the pavilion in the water and creeks inside the garden will present visitors a beautiful vision.

The France Pavilion will have a French restaurant on the top floor.

Impressionist Claude Monet's paintings will be given as souvenirs, organizers said.

The French government has allocated a record 50-million euro (552 million yuan) budget for the pavilion.

"As far as I know, it is the highest among all participants," said Xu Bo, director of the International Participation Department of the Bureau of World Expo Coordination, when the French organizers brought the models of four final designs to Shanghai in March.

At least 80 percent of the total budget will be used in constructing the 6,000-square-meter pavilion, said Freches.

The France Pavilion, designed by Jacques Ferrier and his team, provides a unique opportunity to reinforce France's image in China. All the talents and financial forces will be gathered to make it real, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a statement when he chose the design.

He said the pavilion would use the most advanced building materials and environmental protection technology. It will be a shining example of energy efficiency and recycling techniques, according to the official Website of French Pavilion.

layout of France Pavilion