VISITORS to Martins of Basingstoke soaked up the sights and sounds of France at the Renault dealership in London Road.

It was all part of a four-day celebration of the Renault franchise moving to a prestigious permanent site.

The event started with a French-themed evening for customers old and new. Guests tried their hand at boules, enjoyed wine tasting with leading wine merchant Berry Brothers Ltd and sampled French caf cuisine, with accordion music setting the scene.

In celebration of the Renault F1 Team's and Fernando Alonso's second successive victories in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Constructors' and Drivers' Championships, guests entered a miniature Grand Prix racing contest.

The French evening was followed by a special Renault To Go On Show used car sale through the weekend, during which visitors to the dealership could guess the number of balloons in a New Clio to win a prize.

Martins' marketing manager Peter Genari said: "Our French evening was extremely popular, with about 150 people attending.

"It was a great opportunity for local Renault drivers to visit the dealership for a fun evening out, and for some of them to take a look around our new home for the first time.

"The Renault To Go On Show weekend that followed was also very well attended and visitors, both young and young at heart, enjoyed taking on the challenge of racing in miniature on the Scalextric set."

  • To find out more about the Renault range, visit Martins, in London Road, or call 01256 867000.