French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit New Brunswick this year.

Premier Blaine Higgs let the cat out of the bag in the legislature on Thursday.

Higgs suggested the visit is a result of the tourism minister’s controversial trip to Europe last fall.

However, the president’s trip has reportedly been in the works for a number of years now.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Macron’s visit in a news release late Thursday.

Trudeau said they will look to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and promote shared priorities.