Marrakech, April 16, 2026 – The Europe Today: France has inaugurated a new campus of the Paul Pascon French International School in Laayoune, marking a significant step in strengthening its institutional and cultural footprint in Morocco’s southern provinces.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Christophe Lecourtier, alongside senior regional officials, including the wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, as well as local council leaders. Agnes Humruzian, Director General of the Institut Français in Morocco, and other dignitaries also attended the event.
The new school, part of the MLF Maroc network, is built on a two-hectare site with 3,500 square meters of infrastructure and has the capacity to accommodate up to 600 students from kindergarten through secondary education. The institution offers multilingual instruction in Arabic, English, and Spanish, and is fully accredited across all academic levels.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Lecourtier said the project fulfills commitments made by Emmanuel Macron during his October 2024 state visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. He emphasized that education and cultural cooperation remain central pillars of bilateral relations and described the school as a tangible example of joint efforts to support youth development.
Christian Masset described the opening as a “decisive step,” highlighting the institution’s modern laboratories, learning centers, sports facilities, and age-appropriate classrooms. Jean Marc Merriaux added that the school joins a global network of over 100 institutions, offering students valuable opportunities for intercultural exchange.
During his visit, Lecourtier also announced plans to establish an Alliance Française center in Laayoune, further expanding France’s cultural outreach. He held meetings with regional and municipal officials to discuss development initiatives and avenues for enhancing educational and cultural ties.
The inauguration reflects a broader expansion of French engagement in the region. In May 2025, the French Development Agency pledged €150 million in investments for development projects across Morocco’s southern provinces, following authorization to operate in the area in late 2024. The move was announced by AFD Director General Remy Rioux during a visit to Laayoune.
France has also extended consular services to key cities, including Laayoune, Dakhla, and Es-Semara. In May 2025, a TLS Contact center was opened in Laayoune, enabling residents to submit visa applications and biometric data locally, streamlining access to consular services.
On the economic front, the Morocco-France Economic Forum 2025, held in October 2025 in Dakhla and organized by CGEM and MEDEF, brought together more than 300 business leaders and officials to explore investment opportunities in renewable energy, logistics, agri-food, and infrastructure.
France’s expanding presence follows its July 2024 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, with Paris increasingly translating its diplomatic stance into concrete institutional, economic, and cultural initiatives across the region.
