Far from diplomatic rhetoric and alleged tensions, a little-known reality has resurfaced: France’s occupation of Algerian real estate at rates defying economic logic. According to the Algerian Press Agency (APS), “the French Embassy in Algiers pays less rent than a maid’s room in Paris,” exposing a stark inequality in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The French Embassy in Algeria occupies an impressive 14 hectares (140,000 square meters) on the heights of Algiers. Yet, the rent paid by France is so low it seems almost symbolic. By comparison, a cramped attic room in central Paris can cost hundreds of euros monthly—far more than what French diplomacy pays for one of Algiers’ most strategic locations. Similarly, the ambassador’s residence, dubbed “Les Oliviers,” spans 4 hectares (40,000 square meters) and was rented for a symbolic franc from 1962 until August 2023.
The disparity doesn’t end there. The APS reports that “France occupies a total of 61 properties on Algerian soil, paying absurdly low rents.” This preferential treatment stands in sharp contrast to the conditions Algeria faces in France, where Paris imposes exorbitant real estate prices while Algeria grants concessions bordering on the ridiculous.
The question is straightforward: why such a gap? Recent French political rhetoric suggests Algeria unfairly benefits from its relationship with France. However, the APS reveals the opposite: “If any country truly profits from bilateral ties, it’s France,” the agency asserts, highlighting apparent hypocrisy from some French leaders.
The issue extends beyond real estate. Historical Franco-Algerian agreements have often favored France at Algeria’s expense. The 1968 accord on the status of Algerians in France, frequently challenged by Paris, allowed France to access skilled labor at low cost for decades. Likewise, the 1994 economic cooperation agreement has disproportionately benefited French companies, limiting Algerian firms’ growth in the French market.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry summoned French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to set the record straight. “If Paris wants to debate reciprocity and respect for signed commitments, let’s talk!” the APS quips, calling for a review of all treaties to assess their fairness.
This case sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of Franco-Algerian relations. Beyond alarmist narratives and baseless claims, the facts are clear: France has quietly benefited from Algeria’s generosity without offering comparable advantages in return. If it’s time to reassess these ties, it must be done honestly, grounded in data and reality.
