A team of French experts will travel to Chandernagore on Sunday to set in motion the rejuvenation of the former colony that was merged with India 61 years ago.

“We want to promote the Institut de Chandernagor as a centre for advanced learning and research,” says the consul-general of France in Calcutta, Jean-Louis Rysto, who will lead the team.

Rysto will be joined by Max Cloudet, cultural counsellor from the embassy of France in India, Jean-Marie Lafont, an Indologist, Jean-François Salle, a port restoration expert, Robert Arhoul of town planning and restoration specialist Vieille Maison de France, and Francis Wacziarg of Neemrana Hotels. Alexandre Martinez, the director of Alliance Francais du Bengale, will also be part of the team.

First on the agenda is the appointment of a director of the institute. The post has been lying vacant for 10 years.

This will mark the start of the revival programme charted out by governor M.K. Narayanan and French ambassador Jerome Bonnafont.

The team will explore the possibility of renovating another historic structure in order to build a heritage hotel.

Also on the cards is renovation of the cemetery, introduction of French language courses at the institute and beautification of the riverside promenade. “We hope they will also help in promoting tourism here,” says Chandernagore mayor Ram Chakraborty, who will meet the team on Sunday.