French Farm sits in the French Farm Valley on the western side of Akaroa Harbour, an area tied to the early French colonial effort in New Zealand. In 1840–1843, as part of the wider plan by the Nanto‑Bordelaise Company to establish a French settlement on Banks Peninsula, French naval crews cleared land along the valley for pastures, crops, vegetable gardens, and livestock to feed the new community around Akaroa.

By 1843 there were several houses, cultivated fields and infrastructure at French Farm, and for a time the site was more populous than Akaroa itself. A timber house built by the French navy around 1842–43 is one of the oldest surviving European‑era buildings in the South Island and reflects early French construction techniques.

Today, the valley is home to vineyards and the French Farm Aquatic Club.  Surrounding farmland remains active, with pastures, orchards, and small-scale agriculture maintaining the valley’s working character.

Visitors can explore walking tracks and lookout points, capturing panoramic views of Akaroa Harbour and the rolling hills. The valley is also a haven for photography, nature lovers, and quiet day visitors, blending heritage, agriculture, and scenic beauty in a way that reflects both its historical roots and contemporary life.