Lumbini, 9/9/2025: A delegation from the Embassy of France in Nepal, led by H.E. Virginie Corteval, Ambassador of France to Nepal, visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Elsa Calley, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Sylvain Choin, Director of the Alliance Française in Nepal, and Ms. Astha Thapa, Director of Development and Fundraising, The Buddha Foundation (Lumbini Museum Initiative).

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT). Dr. Hari D. Rai, Information Chief, and Mr. Bikas Lama, Assistant Officer, guided the team through key historical and cultural sites within the Lumbini Protected Zone.

The visit included a tour of the Mayadevi Temple Complex, where the Ambassador and her team observed the Marker Stone, the Nativity Site of Siddhartha Gautama, and the sacred ruins that mark the birthplace of the Buddha. The delegation also visited the Lumbini Monastic Zone, learning about the international monastic communities and their role in promoting peace, culture, and spiritual education.

As part of the program, the delegation visited the Lumbini Museum, where discussions were held regarding ongoing and future heritage preservation and educational initiatives. The visit concluded with a trip to the Kapilavastu archaeological sites, providing the guests with broader historical context on the ancient Shakya civilization.

The Lumbini Development Trust expressed appreciation for the visit and conveyed hopes for enhanced cooperation between Nepal and France in the fields of heritage preservation, cultural exchange, and sustainable tourism development.