The new premises of the French Consulate General in Tangier were inaugurated this Thursday, marking the completion of a first and important step in a process which will lead to the regrouping of the services of the French Institute and the Consulate on the emblematic site. of the Place de France.
This ceremony took place in the presence of the French ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, the Wali of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, Younes Tazi, the president of the Regional Council, Omar Moro, elected officials, representatives of consulates general in Tangier, and several other personalities.
The new consulate is now installed in the building, which housed the residence of the consuls general until 2021.
The rehabilitation work on this 150-year-old building took into consideration the need to preserve the exterior architectural singularity, consolidate its structure and restore the exceptional furniture elements.
Speaking on this occasion, Lecourtier stressed that this reorganization of French services in Tangier appears obvious in view of the economic growth experienced by the Northern region in general and the city of the Strait in particular, since the 2000s. , indicating that “other projects are underway, with a view to expanding the educational offering of our establishments, in particular by increasing their reception capacities”.
He also noted that around 4,000 French people reside in the Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region, almost half of whom also declare Moroccan nationality, noting that with an annual rate of almost 5%, demographic growth of the French community of Tangier is remarkable compared to other regions of the Kingdom.
“These statistics demonstrate that it was high time to adapt the ‘Maison des Français’ in Tangier to this new environment and to open the entire site to new perspectives,” he continued, adding: “ This is where the idea of joining forces with the French Institute and opening this magnificent site to Tangiers and tourists tomorrow was born,” a project carried out since 2021.
“With remarkable demographic growth in the French community of Tangier, it was necessary to adapt and improve the services provided to our compatriots in the Northern region,” indicates a press release from the French embassy, adding: “it is “It is in this spirit that the new consulate project was designed.”
This event thus announces a future stage, which will see the opening to all Tangiers of this exceptional site so rich in history and dear to their memory, and the inscription of an additional milestone in the history of cooperation. cultural, artistic and educational between Morocco and France in Tangier.
It should be noted that the work to bring together the French Institute of Tangier and the Consulate will make it possible to accommodate, in the summer of 2025, most of the Institute’s services, as well as a media library. A Campus France branch will also be created within the Institute.
