Khan El Franj — Attraction in Sidon

Built in its current form by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century, Khan El Franj was the centre of commercial activity in Saida, where merchants from Europe and other Lebanese territories would stay and trade. The khan was continuously repurposed, serving as a French consulate then an orphanage and educational facility. The Lebanese civil war left it partially devastated, but it was later restored by the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development to host festivities, exhibitions, forums, and workshops and it currently hosts the French Cultural Institute. Tourists visit the khan to enjoy the nostalgic scenery of the central courtyard surrounded by a cross- vaulted Ottoman portico that leads to its prestigious grand hall. At present, the building hosts the French Institute. Unfortunately, the facility seems neglected due to covid19 and the economic...

Looks very nice, but what else? Clean and recently renovated, but still the same problem as the Sea Castle, when we walked in a guy on the entrance asked us if we're Lebanese or foreigners, we said Lebanese and that was it! I asked him what do we need to see here? He said, nothing, just look around like the castle and if you want there's the big room over the corner where they used to put the horses. I asked him what about all these doors, he said don't go upstairs there are office for the French Cultural Office (or something like that). The place is beautiful, the horse room is very beautiful, but again just like the castle, not a single sign to read, not a single explanation, no guidance, nothing. Walked in walked out, no idea what is the place...

It was he, the fearless Druze Fahr al Din II - a lover of Italian art and a friend of the Grand Duke of Tuscany - who created in the 17th century this large caravanserai not far from the crusader castle of Sidon on the Lebanon Sea. Merchants, both French and non-French, used to gather in this large courtyard and trade in silk, cotton, perfumes and spices in the midst of elegant limestone arches over which, nowadays, lively bougainvilleas climb and blossom. On the upper floors, the merchants found rest at night, accompanied by the gurgling of the fountain in the centre of the courtyard. Always worth a visit and a...