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Origin and history

The Sudel-Fuma longère, also known as the Saint Paul communal longère, is an emblematic building of the island of La Réunion, French overseas department and region. Located at 1 Marius Street and Ary Leblond, it faces the Town Hall and belongs to a set of buildings with multiple functions. Although its exact date of construction remains uncertain, a sketch from 1871 already mentions this parcel under the name of Cayenne, linked to the services of the Ponts et Chaussées. Built in stone masonry, it features a sober facade with a cochère door and windows, including a murée. Its roof, partly plated, reflects local techniques.

Recent research has revealed that the longhouse once housed a prison, although this function is not documented in detail. In 2010, the building and its soil were listed as historic monuments, marking the beginning of its preservation. After a renovation in 2015, the farmhouse became a cultural space in 2016, named as a tribute to Réunion historian Sudel Fuma. From its opening, it hosts an exhibition on browning on Bourbon Island in the 18th century, entitled Ma[r]ro[n]nages - Refuse slavery.

The farmhouse illustrates the evolution of urban uses in Saint Paul, moving from a utility building (Ponts and Chaussées, prison) to a place of memory and culture. Its central location, facing the Place du Général de Gaulle, makes it a symbol of Réunion's architectural and historical heritage. The cochère door and the pedestrian door, giving access to an inner courtyard, recall its original spatial organization, adapted to administrative or prison functions.

Today owned by the municipality, the Sudel-Fuma farmhouse plays a pedagogical and memorial role, especially on topics such as slavery and resistance. Its inscription in the title of Historic Monuments underlines its importance for the preservation of local history, while offering a living space dedicated to cultural transmission. The mention of his name in the Merimée and Wikidata bases confirms his anchoring in the heritage of Réunion.

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