France Returns 23 Syrian Antiquities After 15 Years as Macron Makes Landmark Visit to Damascus

In a significant cultural and diplomatic gesture, France has returned 23 Syrian archaeological treasures that had remained in the country for nearly 15 years after being loaned for an exhibition. The handover coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron's landmark visit to Damascus , the first by a major Western leader since the ouster of Bashar Assad in late 2024.

The artifacts were flown to Syria aboard Macron's presidential aircraft and formally returned to the National Museum in Damascus . The collection includes Roman bronze objects, Byzantine and Islamic-era pieces , and a richly coloured mosaic panel that once adorned the Umayyad Mosque . The treasures had been sent to Paris in 2011 for an exhibition of Syrian antiquities at the Arab World Institute .

Syrian authorities said the objects belonged to museums in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, and Palmyra . They remained in France after diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed during Assad's rule. The Foreign Ministry described France as the first country to cooperate with Syria under a national campaign aimed at recovering antiquities held abroad.

At the National Museum, officials unveiled part of the returned collection and highlighted its immense historical value. Curators said the artifacts span a remarkable period of Syrian civilization, from the ninth millennium BC to the 14th and 15th centuries AD , reflecting the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Former antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim recalled years of unsuccessful efforts to secure the collection's return. He said requests made in 2014 went unanswered as Assad's government faced international isolation and sanctions, and later mediation attempts through UNESCO's Beirut office also failed. Despite those difficulties, Abdulkarim welcomed the renewed cooperation, saying the return symbolizes Syria's reopening to the world and the revival of cultural exchange.

The repatriation comes after a conflict that inflicted severe damage on Syria's heritage. Historic sites such as Palmyra and the medieval fortress of Crac des Chevaliers suffered extensive destruction, while thousands of looted artifacts remain scattered across the world. Syrian officials hope the French decision will encourage further international efforts to recover the country's stolen heritage and preserve its ancient legacy for future generations.