Acquisition decision 1859 (≈ 1859)
General Council chooses a domain for governorate residence.
mai 1861
Transport and assembly
Transport and assembly mai 1861 (≈ 1861)
Prefabricated house sent and mounted in Saint-Denis.
début XXe siècle
Architectural changes
Architectural changes début XXe siècle (≈ 2004)
North varangue enlargement and converted staircase.
21 décembre 2016
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 21 décembre 2016 (≈ 2016)
Official registration including interiors and parcel.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The former house of governors in its entirety, including the interiors, the plot and the ground and the constructions there, except for the two Tomi houses, as defined by a red line on the plan annexed to the decree (see EW 144): inscription by order of 21 December 2016
Key figures
Louis Victor Louvart de Pontlevoye - Industrial and owner
Offered the prefabricated house to administration in 1861.
Origin and history
The House of Governors is a remarkable building of the island of La Réunion, located at 6 Alfred-Mazerieux Road, in the Saint-François district of Saint-Denis. This monument, built in the 19th century, is distinguished by its prefabricated origin: commissioned in France by Louis Victor Louvart de Pontlevoye, an industrialist of Sainte-Rose, the iron and masonry house was transported by boat from La Possession to Saint-Denis in May 1861, then assembled before the end of that same year. It initially consisted of nine pieces and two variangues, as well as a gallery opened on the facade, subsequently destroyed by a cyclone. The characteristic red roof has been restored with zinc plates.
The decision to acquire this domain to make it a governoral residence was taken in 1859 by the General Council of La Réunion. Louis Victor Louvart of Pontlevoye, owner and industrial, offered to give this house to the local administration. At the beginning of the 20th century, changes were made, including the expansion of the north varangue and the transformation of the double-fly staircase. The building, including its interiors and parcel (except two houses named Tomi), was listed as historical monuments by order of 21 December 2016.
This monument bears witness to the administrative and architectural history of Reunion during the colonial period. Its prefabricated assemblage, rare for the time, reflects the technical adaptations related to island isolation. The House of Governors also embodies the central role of Saint-Denis as the political and social capital of the island, while illustrating local climate challenges, as evidenced by the damage caused by cyclones. Today, it remains a symbol of the heritage of Réunion, protected and enhanced for its historical and architectural value.
