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France returned 23 historical artifacts to Syria on Tuesday, marking a diplomatic gesture that coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Damascus. The move reflects the steadily growing ties between the two nations.
According to Syria's Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), the pieces had been loaned to the Arab World Institute in Paris in 2011. Following a 15-year stay abroad, they have now been safely repatriated to the National Museum in Damascus.
State news agency SANA reported that the artifacts were originally featured in the Paris institute’s permanent exhibition on Arab civilization, where they were displayed alongside historical items from other Arab nations. DGAM confirmed that the collection arrived in Damascus during Macron’s trip, accompanied by an official French delegation that included the head of the Arab World Institute.
The returned collection features rare historical items spanning from prehistory to the Islamic era, including an artifact with Safaitic inscriptions, a section of a Palmyrene frieze depicting a hunting scene, and a relief inscription in the Palmyrene language.
While the artifacts were originally scheduled for repatriation in 2014, the outbreak of the Syrian civil war halted those plans. According to the directorate, the previous administration was unable to arrange their return, and French authorities subsequently delayed the transfer due to intense conflict, security risks, and concerns over preservation conditions. The directorate hailed the successful return as a major milestone, noting it was made possible by the restoration of security and stability across Syria.
President Macron’s arrival in Damascus on Monday evening marks the first visit by a sitting French president to Syria in nearly 18 years. The landmark trip follows Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s diplomatic visit to France in May 2025, which marked his first official travel to a Western nation since taking office. During Macron's visit, the two leaders are expected to finalize several bilateral agreements.
The last French presidential visit to Damascus occurred in September 2008 under Nicolas Sarkozy.
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