WHERE IS IT?
The Embassy of the French Republic is located at 11 Pariska Street, across from Kalemegdan Park. It is close to the Belgrade Cathedral, the Patriarchate, and the Austrian Embassy.
THE HISTORY
After Serbia gained autonomy within the Ottoman Empire, France established its first consulate in Belgrade in 1839, with François Duclos serving as the first consul. Over time, the buildings housing the French diplomatic mission changed as the needs of the embassy outgrew the capacities of those structures. For many years, the building at the corner of Dositejeva and Braće Jugovića Streets served as an embassy and residence for French envoys. The George Eastman Museum in Rochester has a photograph in its collection, taken between 1900 and 1920 by Charles Chusseau-Flaviens, which it has lent for use in our project.
Although plans to acquire a building for the embassy were made in the early 20th century, the land across from Kalemegdan was not purchased until 1923. The embassy was officially opened on December 21, 1935.
During the Second World War, the building of the French embassy was occupied by the German authorities in 1943, but in 1945 the building was returned to France. For a short period in 1999, when diplomatic relations were severed due to the NATO bombing of Serbia, the building did not serve as the French embassy.






THE EXTERIOR
The French embassy building was designed by architect Roger-Henri Expert in the Art Deco style. After numerous delays, the cornerstone was finally laid in 1929, and the building was completed in 1935. Expert skillfully adapted the magnificent Art Deco palace to the sloping, uneven terrain oriented towards Kalemegdan Park. The building's façade runs parallel to Pariska Street, with two wings extending at 45-degree angles to the west and north. Taking advantage of the uneven terrain, Expert directed the structure upwards, resulting in a main section with five floors. The side wings gradually descend, forming terraces that offer stunning views in various directions. This design created a striking structure made of white limestone, featuring a central semicircular section adorned with sculptural relief decorations and rhythmically placed windows. A garden on the south and west sides further enhances the elegant exterior.
In addition to Expert, Belgrade architect Josif Najman contributed to the embassy's construction, while sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles played a key role in shaping its harmonious appearance. At the very top of the building, his composition of three female figures symbolizes the allegories of Liberty holding an olive branch, Equality in the center, and Fraternity on the right. These bronze statues underwent a slight modification when a tunic was added to the central figure following complaints about its nudity. The marble reliefs in the central semicircular section were created by sculptors led by Giuseppe Grassi, a Swiss-born artist who lived and worked in Belgrade until his death.
The rectangular panels on the building's two wings, positioned above the windows, symbolically depict key historical figures of France: Vercingetorix and Joan of Arc on the left, Louis XIV on the right, and Marianne as a representation of the Republic. Above the side entrance from Gračanička Street, a bronze shield bears the figure of Marianne.
The garden-facing façade features relief compositions by Petar Palavičini, a renowned Yugoslav sculptor. These reliefs, symmetrically placed above the windows on two levels, offer allegorical representations of hunting, youth, and dance.
The large garden on the southeast side, extending toward Sime Markovića Street, includes a swimming pool and carefully maintained vegetation, further enhancing the building’s overall aesthetic appeal.
THE INTERIOR
The interior of the French embassy radiates elegance in the Art Deco style. Numerous windows and an abundance of sculptural ornaments create a bright, open space complemented by streamlined furniture. The monumental entrance hall from Gračanička Street leads to the main and largest room, which connects to a circular hall dominated by high rectangular and round windows. A large fireplace with a mirror adorns the semicircular wall, surrounded by rich relief compositions. The vaulted ceiling, soaring 10 meters high, is accentuated by an especially luxurious chandelier crafted in the renowned Baguès workshop. The grand space is further enhanced by tall double marble pillars that emphasize the room's height and monumentality.
The section opening to the garden features relief medallions by sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles, representing France's great rivers. The furniture in this and other embassy rooms was custom-made by the prestigious Leleu family workshop, celebrated for their exquisite craftsmanship. Architect Roger-Henri Expert designed all the furniture and relief decorations, ensuring a harmonious aesthetic throughout the interior.
At the center of the main room stands a grand concert piano, adding a touch of sophistication and serving as a focal point for the room's refined atmosphere.
From the grand hall, one enters a series of smaller salons, furnished with luxurious furniture and adorned with elegant tapestries. Initially, the walls were decorated with tapestries from the Gobelins manufactory, based on designs by the renowned Baroque painter Rubens. However, due to their considerable museum value, these tapestries were later removed and replaced with works by modern French artists.
The ceremonial salon leads to the Small Salon, originally designed for women's receptions. This room exudes a more intimate atmosphere, featuring a fireplace and Art Deco furniture crafted by Andrea Deves' workshop.
In the right wing of the building lies a spacious, elongated dining room capable of accommodating 36 guests. The walls, originally clad in marble with simple geometric decorations, were covered with a layer of lime during World War II. However, a restoration at the end of the 20th century meticulously restored the dining room to its original appearance.
The French Ambassador’s office is particularly noteworthy, featuring walls lined with oak paneling and furnished with exquisite pieces designed by Roger-Henri Expert. The Art Deco furniture was masterfully crafted in the renowned Gilles Leleu workshop.
The upper floor is dedicated to private rooms, each furnished with carefully selected pieces and works of art. The small dining room, personally arranged by Ambassador Robert de Dampier, features Art Deco furniture and an Empire-style dining table, with Biedermeier influences.









DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Diplomatic relations between France and Serbia began shortly after the formation of the Principality of Serbia, with the arrival of the first French consul in Belgrade in 1839. Since then, the two countries have maintained stable and friendly diplomatic ties, with only brief interruptions during World War II and in 1999. Relations were particularly close during World War I, when France provided significant financial and material support to its ally, Serbia. Many Serbian soldiers and civilians were housed at the French base in Bizerte, North Africa (present-day Tunisia), from 1915 until the end of the war.

An improvised school for Serbian students in Bizerte, with the inscription Vive la Serbie and Živela Francuska visible on the board. Private archive.
In Bizerte, France provided protection and support to Serbian soldiers and civilians, with the then-governor of Bizerte, Admiral Emile Guepratte, playing a prominent role. During Admiral Guepratte's visit to Belgrade in 1930, the citizens of Belgrade carried him in their arms from the railway station to Slavija. In honor of this event, the street they passed through was named Admiral Guepratte Street, a name it still holds today.
Support continued after the Great War, when France welcomed 3,000 young Serbs, providing scholarships for their education at French schools and universities.
As a token of gratitude for France's assistance, a monument by sculptor Ivan Meštrović was erected in Kalemegdan Park in 1930. The monument features a female figure holding a sword, symbolizing France as an allegory of the support provided to Serbia during the conflict.
In the interwar period, the French school of Saint Joseph was established in Belgrade by the nuns of the Order of the Assumption of Mary in 1926, located at 4 Rankeova Street (now home to the Faculty of Dentistry). Due to the outbreak of World War II, the institution ceased operations in 1941. Classes were conducted in both Serbian and French, with all lecturers being French nationals. The French school continues to operate in Belgrade to this day.
Following the upheavals of World War II, during which diplomatic relations were severed, cooperation between the two countries resumed within Yugoslavia. After the democratic changes in Serbia, relations between the two countries strengthened, fostering collaboration at all levels.
On June 15, 2021, participants of the BELGRADE ADVENTURE project had the opportunity to visit the Embassy of the Republic of France. During the visit, they toured the embassy with expert guidance from embassy officials, gaining access to all the rooms and artistic elements. The participants were warmly welcomed and hosted by the French Ambassador, Jean-Louis Falconi.







Written by Sofija Jovanović, Ognjen Nerandžić, Darija Njego i Jovana Dimitrijević