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Origin and history

The former Felix-Guyon Hospital, located in Saint-Denis on the island of Reunion, was built during the first quarter of the 20th century. He held a central position in the local health landscape, serving as the city's main medical facility until the inauguration of the new Felix-Guyon Hospital in 1957. Its architecture blends typical materials from the colonial era, such as wood for structure and cast iron for gallery columns, while its entrance porch adopts a neo-classical style. The site, which was initially partially protected (main pasture and porch registered in 1989), was cancelled prior to its inclusion in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments in August 2000.

The main pavilion, the heart of the complex, is distinguished by its two levels and its cast-iron column galleries, reflecting the constructive techniques of the era. The hospital, a departmental property, illustrates the French colonial medical legacy in the Indian Ocean, while marking the evolution of health infrastructure in Réunion. Its replacement in 1957 with a modern establishment underscores the transition to contemporary health standards, while its heritage protection preserves a unique architectural and historical testimony.

The available sources, including the Merimée and Structurae bases, precisely locate the old hospital at 95 Bertin Street (or nearby, according to GPS coordinates), in an area linking downtown Saint-Denis to Bellepierre. Although its medical use has ceased, the site remains an urban and memorial marker, evoking almost half a century of care under colonial and then departmental administration. His inscription in the title of Historic Monuments in 2000 devoted his heritage value, both for his architecture and for his role in the social history of Réunion.

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