Lucie Bonato, “French Consuls in Cyprus, 1840-70. Their Roles and Impact,with Archival Evidence”, in Brignone C., Calvelli L., Gollo G., Mazzota L. (éds.), A Land for Strangers. Non-Native Individuals and Communities in Cyprus, Venezia, Edizioni Ca’Foscari – Venice University Press, 2025, p. 101-156.

Mots-clés :
Ottoman Cyprus, Larnaca, French consuls, Protection of France, Archaeology of Cyprus

Abstract :

The archives of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded actions taken by the consuls, and those remain a principal source of the history of Cyprus. Since the French Consulate was the most important in the nineteenth century, at least until the 1870s, the role of its consuls was of great consequence. The study of the correspondence of several of these between 1840 and 1870 (Fourcade, Goepp, Tastu, Doazan, Saintine, Darasse, Du Tour, Maricourt or Colonna Ceccaldi) shows that they were very active, because they had to face numerous situations in areas of trade, agriculture, taxes and customs duty – which they managed to resolve successfully in favour of the French colony, the protégés and also all of the Christians and the Maronites in particular. The consuls had real power and even obtained the replacement of some Ottoman officials whom they denounced, even if it was at the request of the Greek population. Furthermore, many showed deep humanity and also played an active role in works of public interest, such as the organisation of the Larnaca quarantine and water supply, etc. Finally, the role of the consuls in the discovery of Cyprus’ archaeology can be underlined due to the fact that some of them were interested in collecting objects either for themselves or for the Louvre Museum.

Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-917-7
ISBN (PRINT) 978-88-6969-852-1
e-ISBN 978-88-6969-917-7

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