Hooghly, 11 September (H.S.): France’s Ambassador to India, accompanied by West Bengal’s Tourism Minister, other ministers and legislators, visited the historic Registry Office in Chandannagar on Friday as part of an initiative to preserve and restore the city’s French-era heritage.

Built in 1875, the nearly 150-year-old two-storey building was used as a registry office and French court during the colonial period. Its deep verandahs, paired pillars and wooden louvred shutters still reflect the architectural character of the French era.

The building has deteriorated over the years due to lack of maintenance. Recognising its historical significance, the West Bengal Heritage Commission declared it a heritage building in 2017.

The West Bengal government is now working on a fresh conservation and restoration framework for Chandannagar’s historic structures in collaboration with France. The initiative aims to revive the city’s architectural heritage and preserve it for future generations while strengthening its potential as a heritage tourism destination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey