Francois Valette, born and raised in France, came to New Zealand in March of 1987 to visit his sister. He loved the people and beauty of the land so much during his three week visit, he decided to stay.
The tragic terrorist events in Paris, France over the past weekend have encouraged Valette to offer a special message of hope to the people of France and New Zealand.
Valette is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). He makes his home in Auckland and works as a baker using his special skills at a Parisian style French patisserie in Takapuna.
Although he loves his life in New Zealand, Valette returns every second year to France to visit family and friends. His roots there are deep, just as in New Zealand.
Valette was deeply saddened by the recent terrorist acts in Paris. He said after the September 2001 attacks in the United States, he had hoped such events would not be repeated.
Speaking about the French people, Valette said, “Like other peoples, they have their own culture and their own tradition. There is a lot of history in France, and the people there are really proud. They want to hold on to their history, just as do the people of New Zealand, Italy, England or Spain. The French people love living, they love life, they enjoy their families, they love big dinners together.”
Despite the terror and tragedy of the recent events in Paris, Valette wishes to send a message of hope to the people of France, the people of New Zealand, and the people of the world.
“Keep on living, keep your head up, keep on going forward and enjoy life.”
Read a message from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the people of France.