A biodiversity haven in the heart of Phnom Penh: Inventory of the gardens of the French Embassy in Cambodia

Editorial team
Jul 22
4 min read

In the heart of Phnom Penh, on Monivong Boulevard, lie the gardens of the French Embassy. This 4.8-hectare green space, gifted to France by His Majesty King Sihanouk in 1955 on the occasion of Cambodia's independence, is now much more than just a diplomatic landscaped area. It has become a veritable ‘green lung’, a refuge for remarkable animal diversity in the heart of the Cambodian capital.

Inventory of the gardens of the French Embassy in Cambodia

A rich history and a transformed setting

Originally a bare plot of land on the outskirts of the city, the gardens were carefully landscaped between 1958 and 1961 by architect Pierre Dufau, in a style typical of the 1950s.

During the civil war, the site underwent dramatic changes: it was closed, abandoned and successively transformed into a gathering centre, military command post and orphanage, before the buildings were completely renovated in the 1990s. During this time, nature began to reclaim its rights, allowing vegetation to flourish and animals to settle.

Today, thanks to the joint efforts of successive ambassadors and committed scientists, the park has been transformed into a small tropical forest in the city. This space provides a protected refuge for a rich fauna, including nearly 250 species of animals recorded during a recent zoological inventory, the result of a collaboration between the Embassy, Sam Veasna Conservation, the Pasteur Institute and Wild Earth Allies.

A major scientific inventory

The Embassy teams and their partners conducted a detailed, multidisciplinary inventory of various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and arachnids. This rigorous observation work, combining capture, visual and sound identification, and laboratory analysis, aims to better understand and promote local biodiversity in order to raise public awareness.

In 2024-2025, nearly 250 animal species were recorded in the park, with a particular focus on:

Mammals: Around forty individuals recorded, including domestic cats, long-tailed macaques and families of northern red muntjacs recently donated by the Cambodian Ministry of Environment.
Birds: A rich birdlife with 32 species, including the iconic peacocks – symbols of purity in Buddhism – hornbills, and endemic birds such as the Cambodian tailorbird.
Reptiles and amphibians: Remarkable diversity, including geckos, flying snakes, turtles, and the Burmese python, reflecting Cambodia's varied tropical habitats.
Insects and arachnids: More than 190 species have been identified thanks to traps and scientific sampling, highlighting an often overlooked entomological biodiversity, with the discovery of several species new to the country.

A living space and an environmental commitment

This park is much more than a diplomatic garden. It is a living ecosystem, maintained by a passionate team who ensure the well-being of the species, install water points, protect nesting areas and guarantee environmental safety. This fragile balance is also maintained in conjunction with regional nature reserves, where some surplus species have been transferred for their protection.

In a rapidly expanding urban context, this green space has become a prime example of biodiversity preservation in an urban environment. It also symbolises France and Cambodia's commitment to conservation, awareness-raising and environmental education in cities.

A lively place of discovery, art and memory

In addition to their ecological role, the gardens are a privileged venue for educational and cultural activities. Every year, they host school visits, heritage days and events such as the French Market, attracting thousands of visitors curious to discover this piece of nature in the city.

In addition, during the Phnom Penh Photo Festival and regular exhibitions, the outdoor spaces showcase works by contemporary Cambodian and French artists, which interact with the local biodiversity.

The park also bears the memory of painful historical events, bearing witness to the Cambodian tragedy of the 1970s. Part of the original gate of the Embassy and cenotaphs from the French cemetery are preserved in the park. For the 50th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh, commemorations were organised to honour the victims and strengthen Franco-Cambodian ties.

Committed partnerships, scientific and civic engagement

This publication, an event in itself, was made possible thanks to the mobilisation of numerous institutions and experts: Sam Veasna Conservation Tours, the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia, Wild Earth Allies, as well as artistic and scientific contributors including ornithologist and photographer Suong Mardy.

The Melon Rouge agency was responsible for the graphic design of the brochure, bringing these natural treasures to life with striking images and a carefully crafted presentation.

Financial partners such as DFDL and the NGO Live & Learn Cambodia supported this innovative project to promote and raise awareness of urban biodiversity, demonstrating that an alliance between science, culture and education can bring together a wide audience around the protection of nature in urban areas.

Through this inventory and enhancement work, the gardens of the French Embassy in Phnom Penh reveal another side of the capital, a place where nature is reclaiming its rights in an unexpected space, providing refuge for exceptional wildlife and making this park a living treasure trove to be discovered and actively preserved.

This presentation is based on the official brochure ‘Flâneries Zoologiques’ published in 2025 by the French Embassy in Cambodia and its scientific and cultural partners..