List of ambassadors of Canada to France

The ambassador of Canada to France (Ambassadeur du Canada auprès de la France) is the official representative of the Canadian government to the government of France. The official title for the ambassador is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the French Republic (Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire du Canada auprès de la République française). The ambassador of Canada to France is Stéphane Dion who was appointed on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 31, 2022.

The Embassy of Canada is located at 130, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France.

History of diplomatic relations


The mission in Paris was established in 1882, when Hector Fabre was sent to serve as an "Agent of the Dominion (of Canada)", in the form of a Commissioner. He was accorded no formal diplomatic status, however, as Britain had not accorded Canada the right to establish formal diplomatic relations with foreign states. In 1891, Fabre was succeeded by Senator Philippe Roy as Canada's Agent in France.

Official diplomatic relations between Canada and France were established on January 31, 1928, a legation was established with Philippe Roy continuing on as the first Envoy to France with diplomatic privileges on September 24, 1928. The legation moved from Paris to London on June 24, 1940, following Germany's invasion of France. Canada officially recognized the French Committee of National Liberation on August 27, 1943. Canada officially recognized the Provisional Government of the French Republic on October 23, 1944, and following the Liberation of Paris, Canada's embassy was re-established in Paris on August 24, 1944 with George Philias Vanier as Canada's first Ambassador.

Canada's mission to France is the second-oldest Canadian diplomatic post, the oldest being the Canadian High Commission in London. Technically, however, Paris is Canada's oldest foreign mission, since the diplomatic posting to London was not considered to be a "foreign" mission because Canada was a member of the British Empire.

The official residence of the Canadian ambassador is located at 135 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The building is known as the Hôtel de Rigny and was purchased by the Canadian government in 1950.