in Paris 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. == List of ambassadors of Canada to France ==