Ernest Doudart de Lagrée: Pioneer and builder of the French protectorate in Cambodia
- Christophe Gargiulo
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
At the heart of the 19th century, as the European powers sought to extend their influence in Asia, an exemplary figure stood out for his courage, his erudition and his decisive role in colonial and scientific history: Ernest Marie Louis de Gonzague Doudart de Lagrée.
A sailor in the service of France and science
Born into an old noble family, Doudart de Lagrée developed his character at the École polytechnique, which he entered in 1842. After becoming a naval officer, he took part in the Crimean War (1853-1856), notably in the siege of Sebastopol and the bombardment of Odessa.
This military experience forged his stamina and sense of command, which were to be put to the test during his subsequent expeditions.
In 1862, he was sent to Cochinchina (South Vietnam) where he began an intense diplomatic career: he took part in the early stages of the French protectorate over Cambodia by negotiating with King Norodom, the last bulwark against the rival ambitions of Siam and Vietnam. As France's official representative to the Cambodian monarch, he became a highly influential ‘confidant, political adviser and guardian’, playing a key role in asserting the French presence in the region.
The Mekong Expedition: an arduous journey to discover South-East Asia
In 1866, on the orders of Admiral Pierre-Paul de La Grandière, Governor of Saigon and keen to link Cochinchina to China by river, Doudart de Lagrée led an ambitious exploration mission.
The ‘Mekong Exploration Commission’ embarked on a voyage lasting almost two years, from Saigon to the Chinese province of Yunnan, following the Mekong and crossing what are now Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China.
Despite the extremely difficult conditions - illness, hunger, insurmountable rapids, local political conflicts - Doudart de Lagrée pursued his commitment with a fierce determination.
The expedition marked a turning point in European knowledge of South-East Asia: it revealed the archaeological riches of Angkor to the world, studied Khmer civilisations, and paved the way for future colonial policies and further scientific research, particularly in the fields of botany, meteorology, hydrography and geology.
A scholar with a passion for Cambodian archaeology and history
Far from limiting himself to his military and diplomatic duties, Doudart de Lagrée was also a man of science and letters, with a passion for history and archaeology. During his visits to Cambodia, he discovered and translated the royal manuscripts in Oudong, the ancient Cambodian capital, working with interpreters and monks. He was an ardent defender of the preservation and knowledge of the Khmer remains, which he considered essential to understanding the region.
His interest in the temples of Angkor, particularly Angkor Wat, was groundbreaking: while others saw in these architectural marvels only Buddhist religious manifestations, he sensed their profound historical and cultural significance. His work is recognised today as the true starting point of modern Khmer archaeology.
A tragic end and a lasting legacy
Unfortunately, Doudart de Lagrée's health, weakened by a chronic throat ailment and aggravated by the extreme conditions of the expedition, declined rapidly. On 12 March 1868, he died in Tong-Tchouen (now Dongchuan), in China's Yunnan region, before reaching the final destination of his ambitious expedition.
His heart was taken to France for a Catholic burial, while his notes and manuscripts, despite his wish that they should be destroyed, were eventually published by those close to him, thus helping to enrich Western knowledge of South-East Asia.
In Cambodia, his name is still associated with rue Doudart de Lagrée (now Norodom Boulevard) in Phnom Penh, a tribute to the man who was one of the first Frenchmen to explore the region from a scientific, political and human perspective.
Between conquest and science, an exceptional man
Ernest Doudart de Lagrée embodied the spirit of the 19th century, at the crossroads between colonial adventure and the quest for knowledge. Through his many missions, he not only contributed to French expansion in Indochina, but also laid lasting foundations in the human and natural sciences.
His career, marked by tenacity, intellectual rigour and profound humanity, continues to inspire historians and researchers, and reminds us that behind the great colonial undertakings there were passionate men, sometimes visionaries, often wounded, but always deeply committed.