Bonjour Chandernagore: Paris street on The Strand this weekend
Times of India | 8 September 2026
Kolkata: Chandernagore, once a French colony, will have a little bit of Paris in the second week of Sept. The state tourism dept is planning to recreate a Paris street in this colonial town during the Chandernagore festival which would be held between Sept 11 and 13. If successful then this kind of celebration in this yesteryears French colony would again be organized during Christmas.
Established as a French trading post in 1673, the town officially became free from French rule on Febr 2, 1951, when the Treaty of Cession was signed directly in Paris by representatives of India and France.
The state tourism secretary, Barun Roy, told TOI that The Strand in Chandernagore is being recreated as a Paris street with lighting, shops and some other structures. “The famous Chandernagore lighting is playing a big role in creating Paris street,” he added. Roy pointed out that there would be food stalls like Paris street with French and other continental cuisine along with Indian cuisine. There will be musical night and other cultural programme as well. The French ambassador to India would be present during the festival along with some other high level French dignitaries. “There will be Ganga Arati as well during the festival. If it is successful then this would be again organised during Dec–Jan,” he added. According to the tourism secretary, the French registry building is being restored for tourism and it would be inaugurated during the festival on Sept 11.
Earlier, the state tourism minister, Shankar Ghosh, had said in a meeting that the state government will develop the only tourist jetty in Kolkata as well as in locations like Chandernagore and other areas. The state is also developing a water tourism and river cruising policy which would be unveiled shortly.
A state government official pointed out that there would be special visual effects to be created by Chandernagore lighting. “For creating special effects the artisans of the famous lighting in this French colony has also imported some special lighting so that there would be a real feel of Paris street for those who will participate in the festival,” added an official. It was also learnt that to promote tourism during the festival a special initiative has already been undertaken.