Former French Consulate

Former French Consulate

The Former French Consulate is a protected cultural heritage site of Tianjin.

Former French Consulate

Era: 1923

Address: No. 2 Chengde Road, Heping District, Tianjin

Category: Important Modern Historical Site and Representative Architecture

The French Consulate in Tianjin was established in 1861, initially located in the area around Sanchahe Kou. It was burned down during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. After the war, the Qing government compensated the site to the French Concession authorities to be used as the consulate. The French Consulate had one consul general, and the highest authority of the French Concession, the Board of Directors, was always chaired by the consul general. Therefore, the consul general was the highest administrative officer of the French Concession. After the liberation, the French Consulate in Tianjin was abolished, ending its over 90-year history in the city.

The building faces Zhang Zizhong Road to the east, Jiefang North Road to the west, Chengde Road to the south, and Chifeng Road to the north. Constructed in 1923, it was designed by a French engineer from the Belgian architectural firm Société Immobilière de Belgique. The building covers a construction area of 2,581.55 square meters, has a two-story flat-roof mixed structure with a basement, and features a symmetrical floor plan. The façade adopts a modified Western classical pilaster style, with delicate floral decorations on the walls and cornices. The entrance is via stone steps, flanked by flower beds, and the iron gate is adorned with an elegant pediment, making it a typical example of French classical-style architecture. The building is currently in good condition.