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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Externate Saint-Joseph de Cayenne is a historic monument located in the city of Cayenne in Guyana. The site, registered by decree of 10 April 1989, still houses a private school covering the levels from kindergarten to high school. Its buildings, characteristic of local architecture, combine a wooden frame with brick fillings on the ground floor and boards on the upper floors. A top floor overlooks Building B, rue Arago, while a closed gallery connects buildings A and B to the ground floor and first floor.

The origins of the Externate date back to the arrival of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny in Guyana in 1822, under the patronage of Anne-Marie Javouhey. Two nuns settled in Cayenne, and although the exact date of construction of the college remains unknown, it was probably built shortly after their arrival. The oldest building, located at the corner of Lalouette and François Arago streets, was initially accompanied by a masonry chapel, replaced at the beginning of the 20th century by a courtyard. The chapel, adjacent to the main building overlooking Lalouette Street, illustrates the architectural and functional evolution of the site.

The facades and roofs of the Externate Saint Joseph (cadastre AE 189) were protected for their heritage value, reflecting both the educational and religious history of Guyana. The monument, owned by an association, bears witness to the heritage of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny, whose action marked the social and educational development of the region. Today, it remains an active place, combining historical preservation and school life, while offering a remarkable example of colonial architecture adapted to the local climate.

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