The Embassy of France in Algiers (French : Ambassade de France à Alger) is France's diplomatic mission to Algeria. Since the country’s independence in 1962, its Chancery has been located in the Peltzer Park (Parc Peltzer) neighborhood of Hydra, a suburb of Algiers.
The compound's main building, known as the Bordj d’Hydra ("Castle of Hydra"), was originally built in the late 18th century for Ali Agha, a Turkish general and hed of the Dey's cavalry. It was later the home of a British physician, Dr Bowen, in the 1820s; of the latter's son-in-law, Consul of Sweden and Norway John Frédérik Schultze; and from 1902, of Serge Peltzer, a Russian national of Dutch descent. [1]
Much of the property was divided into individual lots in the 1920s, when it was linked to Algiers by a new bridge over the Wadi Knis river. In 1942, it was acquired from the Peltzer family by the City of Algiers, and became the residence of the 10th Military Region of the French African Army. In 1943, it was used by the U.S. Army for its ambulance service. In 1955, it became the headquarters of France's 10th Parachute Division led by Jacques Massu. Upon Algerian independence in 1962, it was repurposed as the French embassy, and Ambassador Georges Gorse promptly undertook a comprehensive renovation of the building. [1]
In 1963, the residence of the ambassador was established in the Villa des Oliviers. [2] The Consulate-general was relocated to the Peltzer Park compound in 1994 during the Algerian Civil War. [3]
Algiers is the administrative, political and economic capital and largest city of Algeria as well as the capital of the Algiers Province. The city's population at the 2008 census was 2,988,145 and in 2020 was estimated to be around 4,500,000. Located in the north-central part of the country, it extends along the shores of the Bay of Algiers in the heart of the Maghreb region making it classified among the biggest cities in North Africa, the Arab world and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a major center of culture, arts, gastronomy and trade.
The Organisation armée secrète was a far-right French dissident paramilitary and terrorist organisation during the Algerian War. The OAS carried out several terrorist attacks, including bombings and assassinations, in an attempt to prevent Algeria's independence from French colonial rule. Its motto was L’Algérie est française et le restera.
Since its independence from France in 1962, Algeria has pursued an activist foreign policy. In the 1960s and 1970s, Algeria was noted for its support of Third World policies and independence movements. Since its independence, Algeria has been a member of the Arab League, the African Union and of the United Nations.
The Algerian War was a major armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria winning its independence from France. An important decolonization war, it was a complex conflict characterized by guerrilla warfare and war crimes. The conflict also became a civil war between the different communities and within the communities. The war took place mainly on the territory of Algeria, with repercussions in metropolitan France.
French Algeria, also known as Colonial Algeria, was the period of Algerian history when the country was a colony and later an integral part of France.
The University of Algiers, commonly called the Algiers 1 University or Benyoucef Benkhedda, is a public research university based in Algiers, Algeria. Founded in 1909 from the amalgamation of different French colonial educational institutions, it has become the oldest and most prestigious organised university in the country.
Benyoucef Benkhedda was an Algerian politician. He headed the third GPRA exile government of the National Liberation Front (FLN), acting as a leader during the Algerian War (1954–62). At the end of the war, he was briefly the de jure leader of the country, however he was quickly sidelined by more conservative figures.
In July 2001, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika became the first Algerian President to visit the White House since 1985. This visit, followed by a second meeting in November 2001, and President Bouteflika's participation at the June 2004 G8 Sea Island Summit, is indicative of the growing relationship between the United States and Algeria. Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, contacts in key areas of mutual concern, including law enforcement and counter-terrorism cooperation, have intensified. Algeria publicly condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States and has been strongly supportive of the Global War on Terrorism. The United States and Algeria consult closely on key international and regional issues. The pace and scope of senior-level visits has accelerated.
Relations between France and Algeria span more than five centuries. Through this period, there have been many changes within each of the nations, with consequent effects on their relations. Algeria was once part of the Ottoman Empire, and in the 19th century was conquered and colonized by France. It played an important role in both world wars.
Algeria and India maintain diplomatic relations. Algeria has an embassy in New Delhi, and India has an embassy in Algiers.
The Pine Residence, located in the Horsh district of Beirut, is the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. The palace holds particular historical importance since General Henri Gouraud declared the creation of the state of Greater Lebanon on September 1, 1920, from its porch.
The nations of Algeria and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1964. Both nations are members of the Group of 15, Group of 24 and the United Nations.
The Embassy of Sweden in Algiers is Sweden's diplomatic mission in Algeria. The first Swedish ambassador was accredited to Algiers in 1963. The ambassador since 2021 is Björn Häggmark.
The Government Palace, known before 1962 as Gouvernement général, is the office of the Prime Minister of Algeria and a major public building in Algiers. At the time of its inauguration in 1933, with a surface of 33,000 m2, it was the largest administrative building of the entire French state.
The Villa des Oliviers is a historic Moorish Revival architecture building in El Biar near Algiers. Since 1963, it has been the residence of the French ambassador in Algeria.
The Embassy of France in Tunis is France's diplomatic mission to Tunisia.
The French Protectorate Residence also known as Residence-general is a historic building in Rabat, Morocco. It was the seat of the Resident-general in the French protectorate in Morocco from its completion in 1924 to the end of the protectorate in 1956.
Relations between Germany and Algeria are described as "good" by the German Federal Foreign Office. Germany is among Algeria's most important trading partners. The two countries concluded an energy partnership in 2015.