French Bay / Otitori Bay
French Bay / Otitori Bay is a bay in the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located in Titirangi on the Manukau Harbour, between Wood Bay to the north and Paturoa Bay to the south.
History
The bay was traditionally called Opou by Tāmaki Māori, literally meaning "the place of posts". The bay became known as French Bay in the 1920s, however the reason for this is unknown. In the early 20th century, the bay became a popular destination for Aucklanders, undertaking day trips. Painter Colin McCahon lived close to French Bay from 1953 to 1960, and many of his works depict the bay. McCahon's home later became McCahon House, a museum and gallery space.The beach has variable water quality, and in 2020 was listed as one of the 10 least safe beaches for swimming in the Auckland Region.