A visitor enjoys Chinese paintings in Chinese embassy in Paris, France, on Sept. 17, 2017. Chinese embassy in France opened for the first time in the annual European Heritage Days in Paris, France on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Celebrating the 34th edition of the European Heritage Days, Chinese embassy in Paris on Sunday opened its doors for the first time to public to further cement the cultural ties between Beijing and Paris, embassy officials told Xinhua on Monday.
More than 3,600 visitors welcomed the embassy's move with long queues and reported three hours before the opening time, showing the enthusiasm of the French public and their willingness to know China and Chinese culture, according to Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun.
Relocating in the Montesquiou hotel designed by Alexandre Theodore Brongniart in 1778 since April 2017, the new building of the Chinese embassy offered visitors a mixture of French and Chinese cultures.
Bought by the Chinese government in 2010, the hotel which has been listed whith its gardens as historic monuments since 1992, was restored but kept the decoration of the 18th century.
"We have respected French culture, while adding Chinese colors, and visitors could find Chinese paintings and antique furniture in a 18th century French-style building," said the Chinese ambassador, adding the new building reflected the Sino-French cultural cooperation.
Claude Chameroy, one of the visitors, wasn't disappointed after a long waiting time. "The rehabilitation is perfect. It is like a new French palace of the 18th century, with the Chinese paintings and vases going very well with the French decoration," she added.
The 34th edition of the European Heritage Days took place on September 16 and 17. In France, about 17,000 monuments across the country were opened to public to mark the days. The annual cultural event attracts more than 12 million visitors.
