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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The "Vue Belle" fireplace is an iconic industrial vestige of Réunion Island, a French overseas department located in the Indian Ocean. It belonged to an old sugar factory, a symbol of the local economy based on the cultivation of sugar cane, a major activity since the 19th century. Its inclusion in the additional inventory of the Historic Monuments in 2002, including its base, underscores its heritage and architectural importance.

In Saint Paul, as in the rest of Reunion, sugar factories played a central role in the social and economic organization until the 20th century. These industrial infrastructures marked the landscape and rhythmized the lives of workers, often from diverse communities (engaged, slaves and then free workers). The chimney of Vue Belle, by its conservation, offers a material testimony of this time and its cultural and technical heritage.

The official inscription of the chimney in 2002 allowed to protect this monument, now owned by the commune of Saint Paul. Although its industrial use has ceased, it remains a historical landmark and a place of memory for the Reunions. Its state of conservation and accessibility (approximately 32 Rue Cour) also make it a point of interest for visitors wishing to explore the island's industrial heritage.

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