FRENCH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE SITES

The French left their mark in Phnom Penh from the 19th century until the 1940’s with many French style buildings such as Phsar Thom Thmei, Hotel Le Royal and French churches and boulevards. Phnom Penh was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920’s, hence the name ‘Pearl of Asia’. Several French colonial buildings still remain today, either renovated or in disrepair, both being part of Phnom Penh’s identity.

If you are the kind of traveler who likes to get off the beaten track, this rural Cambodia adventure is for you. Battambang is famous for its French colonial architecture, fertile soil and the rubies and garnets mined in the province.





Architecturally speaking, Phnom Penh is a comparatively new city. Prior to the late 19th century the city was but a few pagodas and clusters of wooden structures along the riverfront. Almost every currently existing structure was built after the beginning of the French colonial period in 1863. ‘Chinese shophouse’ style buildings dominate the city, characterized by deep narrow apartments made up of a combined ground-floor business-front and upstairs residence. Standing in distinctive difference, old European influenced colonial period structures are interspersed through the central city. At the height of the colonial period Phnom Penh was reputed to be the most beautiful city in French Indochina - recalling Paris in its manicured parks and picturesque boulevards lined with ornate villas. Though sometimes difficult to see through the grime and disrepair of years of hardship and neglect, much of that beauty still exists
Phnom Penh once was known as the Pearl of Asia. The old heart of the city was build during French colonial times and many of the old buildings still remain, although quite a few are neglected and some are even in disrepair.

Fortunately, more and more people realise the city should make every effort to preserve these structures, as they are an integral part of Phnom Penh's identity.

A signature Phnom Penh landmark can be found on Sothearos Boulevard, very close to the riverfront. The building is in a decayed state, but in 2008 it was purchased by the FCC. Back then, the FCC proudly announced that from mid-2008 works would begin to restore this beatiful rococo palace to its past glory. The plans included a luxury hotel with a French bistro downstairs and a connection to the FCC complex just behind it. Two years on and nothing has been undertaken. So it's not only the Cambodians that neglect their historic buildings...

The exact history of the house is unknown, but it was probably built in the 1920s. It's a typical French colonial building, but incorporates a whole combination of styles, including impressive Corinthian capitals and intricate sculptural designs.

Apart from tourist highlights like Wat Phnom and the Royal Palace, this is one of the structures most photographed by visitors to Phnom Penh.