King Sihamoni and Macron Expected at West Mebon Temple Inauguration

King Sihamoni and Macron Expected at West Mebon Temple Inauguration

PHNOM PENH, October 22, 2026 — Cambodia will officially inaugurate West Mebon Temple on November 16, 2026, following 14 years of extensive restoration work, with King Norodom Sihamoni and French President Emmanuel Macron expected to attend the ceremony.

Located in the centre of the West Baray reservoir within the Angkor Archaeological Park, the ancient temple is set to reopen in a ceremony coinciding with the 20th Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host.

The restoration project represents a major achievement in bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and France. It was carried out through collaboration between the APSARA National Authority and the French Embassy in Cambodia, with a total investment of approximately €12 million.

The inauguration will highlight the two countries’ cooperation in preserving Cambodia’s cultural heritage and restoring one of the historic structures within the Angkor archaeological complex.