El-Sisi, Macron tour historic Qaitbay Citadel and Alexandria Corniche

ALEXANDRIA – 9 May 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday evening took French President Emmanuel Macron on a tour of Alexandria following the inauguration of the new campus of Senghor University in New Borg El Arab city.

The two presidents visited the tourist promenade along the Alexandria Corniche, continuing to the entrance of the historic Qaitbay Citadel.

The tour also included heads of delegations participating in the university inauguration, as well as Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo.

 

Qaitbay Citadel is one of the most prominent historic fortresses on the Mediterranean coast.

Built by Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay between 1477 and 1479 on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, the citadel served as a major defensive fortress protecting the city from naval attacks.

During the visit, the presidents were briefed on the history of the citadel, as well as underwater archaeological excavations of remains of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, alongside discoveries of historical artifacts from various eras.

Following the tour, El-Sisi hosted a dinner in honor of the French president, his accompanying delegation, and the visiting heads of delegations.

He highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations across various fields, expressing his aspiration to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in culture, tourism, antiquities, and the arts.

Moreover, he thanked countries participating in the university inauguration and commended their support to scientific and cultural cooperation within the OIF member states.

For his part, Macron expressed deep appreciation for his visit to Alexandria, which serves a global beacon of science and culture and a historic hub of Mediterranean cooperation, the statement said.

He reaffirmed France’s commitment to further deepening cultural ties between the French and Egyptian peoples in support of the two countries’ strategic partnership.