France, Cambodia Work Together on West Mebon Angkor Temple

The West Mebon temple, located on an island at the center of the West Baray reservoir in Cambodia's Angkor complex, will reopen in 2026 following a 14-year restoration project. The site's modern history of preservation dates back to 1936, when a local villager's dream led archaeologists to dig at the central island, where they unearthed a massive bronze statue of the Reclining Vishnu. France has maintained an active role in documenting and protecting Angkor since establishing a protectorate in Cambodia during the 19th century. Through organizations like the French School of Asian Studies, international teams of architects, archaeologists, epigraphers, and anthropologists have compiled historical records and preserved structural sites. Since Cambodia gained independence in 1953, conservation efforts at Angkor have expanded into a multinational initiative involving Japan, South Korea, India, and China.