The French Research Center of The Arabian Peninsula (CEFREPA) was founded in 1982 in Sanaa to support archaeological missions and social science researchers working on the territory of the former Yemen Arab Republic
The Centre gradually became a more decisive player, reaching out beyond the borders of Yemen and encompassing the whole Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar). It also widened its areas of research which now include, in addition to archaeology, social sciences, and humanities in general. The CEFREPA is part of the network of the French Research Centers Abroad (IFRE) and is run both by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
CEFREPA is currently installed in a 1950s house whose architecture is inspired by Le Corbusier style. The Center is part of a heritage complex located in the heart of Kuwait City, and notably housing the remains of Diwân Khaz’al which was the first museum in Kuwait and the Gulf in 1957.
CEFREPA has offices and representations in all countries on the Arabian Peninsula, with the exception of Bahrain and Qatar.
