Macron to open restored Angkor temple in Cambodia

French President Emmanuel Macron and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni are due to inaugurate the restored West Mebon temple at Cambodia's Angkor complex during a summit of French-speaking nations in Phnom Penh on November 15-16.

The nearly 1,000-year-old temple rises from a reservoir at the UNESCO-listed Angkor archaeological site. Conservationists have restored its 16 towers and surrounding walls over 14 years.

The work is the latest in a long series of conservation projects linked to France, Cambodia's former colonial ruler. The French School of Asian Studies began clearing, cataloguing and safeguarding Angkor's archaeological remains in 1908 under French government supervision.

Angkor was once the centre of the Khmer Empire and includes Angkor Wat. West Mebon is also where archaeologists unearthed “Reclining Vishnu”, described in the item as the largest bronze statue ever found in Cambodia.

Conservation at Angkor has become an international effort since Cambodian independence in 1953, with contributions from Japan, South Korea, India and China. But Cambodian officials and researchers said France's long record of excavations, inventories and photographs remains central to understanding the site.

Kim Sothin, deputy director of Cambodia's Apsara National Authority, said French documentation remains important for archaeological and architectural study. Cambodian architect Meng Sovanlylin said French-trained specialists are passing knowledge to a younger Cambodian generation.