Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with Consul General of France, Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, on Friday evening last week to discuss potential French investments in the state’s trade, industry, and tourism sectors. The meeting, held at the chief minister’s residence, also included Sanjay Shukla, the principal secretary to the chief minister.
During his visit, Séré-Charlet first engaged with officials from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to explore avenues for cultural and tourism exchanges between France and Madhya Pradesh. Known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes, Madhya Pradesh is home to popular tourist destinations such as Bhedaghat, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, and Khajuraho, which attract many French visitors.
An official spokesperson highlighted the growing interest in strengthening tourism ties between France and the state. “The French embassy and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will work together to promote culture and tourism,” the spokesperson said.
The French delegation, which included Gregor Trumel, Director of the French Institute in India, and Emilie Jacament, Coordinator of the Alliance Française Network in India, also met with Bidisha Mukherjee, the additional managing director of the state tourism board. They discussed various ways to enhance the experience of French tourists in Madhya Pradesh, including the training of tour guides in the French language to improve communication and guidance for visitors from France.
“The tourism board has already trained 19 tour guides in French, and now, efforts will be made to train front office executives, receptionists, and other hospitality staff in hotels and resorts,” Mukherjee said, noting that these initiatives aim to make French tourists feel more welcome and at ease.
Beyond tourism, the meeting touched on the possibilities of inviting French artists to participate in major cultural events in Madhya Pradesh, while also encouraging collaboration with French filmmakers. Mukherjee extended an invitation to French producers and directors to consider Madhya Pradesh as a location for film shoots, leveraging the state’s diverse and picturesque landscapes.
