Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Chandernagore Restoration Revives Its Indo-French Heritage and Tourism Plans
Chandernagore has an old building that was built as a French courthouse in 1875.
The building was once considered unsafe and faced demolition.
Now, the government plans to repair it with about ₹5.74 crore.
The restored building may have a visitor centre, café and library.
It will be part of a project called “Little Europe on the Ganges.”
The project will celebrate Chandernagore’s French history and Bengali culture.
Officials also want boats to connect historic places along the Ganges.
France has proposed holding a French festival in Chandernagore every year.
The plans may also create training and tourism opportunities for local people.
West Bengal approved around ₹5.74 crore to restore Chandernagore’s 1875 Registry Building.
The former French courthouse will anchor a proposed “Little Europe on the Ganges” tourism project.
French ambassador Thierry Mathou and Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh visited the illuminated Strand during a three-day festival.
The restoration plan includes a visitor centre, café, library and possible job-oriented tourism courses.
Officials also proposed river tourism linking Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish and British heritage sites along the Ganges.
- Who
- The West Bengal tourism department, French ambassador Thierry Mathou, Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and local heritage advocates are involved.
- What
- The Registry Building will be restored and incorporated into an Indo-French heritage and river-tourism project.
- When
- The project gained approval for funding after an initiative that had been underway since 2016; restoration tenders are expected soon.
- Where
- Chandernagore, West Bengal, particularly the Registry Building near the Strand and Rani Ghat.
- Why
- To preserve Chandernagore’s Indo-French heritage, promote tourism and develop cultural and economic opportunities.
- Restoration funding
- Around ₹5.74 crore approved by the finance department.
- Building history
- The Registry Building was built in 1875 as the first French courthouse in India.
- Planned project
- “Little Europe on the Ganges” will use Chandernagore’s French heritage as a tourism anchor.
- Proposed facilities
- Visitor information centre, café, library and possible adaptive community uses.
- River-tourism plan
- A proposed Ganges circuit would connect Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish and British heritage areas.
- Additional heritage work
- Plans include repairs to the Strand Clock Tower and structural reforms at Prabartak Sangha.
- French cultural proposal
- Ambassador Thierry Mathou proposed an annual French festival in Chandernagore.