Sediul Legaţiei române de la Paris (1922-1930). Între aspiraţii şi realitate

Ionel DOCTORU

DOI: 10.47743/asui-2025-0019

Abstract: This study examines the evolution of the Romanian Legation’s headquarters in Paris between the end of the First World War and the 1930s, highlighting the political, administrative, and symbolic dimensions of this process. After 1918, Romania, having a much larger territory and population, faced the necessity of consolidating its international status and adapting its diplomatic presence to the new realities of Europe. In this context, securing a suitable building for the Legation in Paris – one of the main centers of European diplomacy – became both a practical requirement and an expression of national prestige.
The efforts to acquire, renovate, and expand the property on Avenue de Wagram reveal the persistent challenges encountered by the Romanian state: limited financial resources, shifting political priorities, and recurring administrative obstacles. Despite these difficulties, the project advanced gradually, reflecting the determination of the Romanian authorities to create a representation aligned with France’s central role in the country’s postwar diplomacy. Constantin Diamandi played a key role in this process. Through his diplomatic authority, organizational initiatives, and reputation in Parisian political circles, he significantly contributed to the modernization of the Legation. Although his tenure ended amid political instability in Bucharest, his efforts left a lasting institutional impact. Overall, the history of the Legation’s headquarters illustrates the interplay between diplomatic ambition, state capacity, and the symbolic importance of international representation in interwar Europe.

Keywords: Paris; Romanian Legation; Constantin Diamandi; Legation’s headquarters; diplomacy; economic relations.