"Festival Croisements", the biggest French cultural event in the world, kicked off on April 11 at the National Museum of China. [Photo/people.cn]

All the world's a stage

Reality music show of professional singers

And with a video guide, the exhibition gives Chinese viewers a chance to discover masterpieces that are symbolic of the museums they belong to.

"I've seen this Renoir when I studied in Paris. Seeing it for a second time in my home country, it's like seeing an old friend. I'm just thrilled," said a visitor.

"I also paint, and Picasso has always been my favourite painter. So to see one of his earlier works and one of his cubist works together, it's a rare opportunity for me to get insight into the artist," said a visitor.

"Ten Masterpieces of French Art" is just the beginning of a series of events celebrating French culture.

From April to July, Festival Croisements will play host to 100 events in more than 40 Chinese cities, encompassing artistic disciplines such as cinema, dance and music, as well as visual arts incorporating new media.