Housing Routa

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Routa house, located in Lamentin on the island of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, is an ancient colonial plantation whose origins date back at least to the nineteenth century. In 1837 Louis Adolphe Routa, from the Ardennes, acquired the property then named "Bellevue Espérance" and gave it his current name. This agro-industrial site, typical of the Antillean houses, combines a master house and a distillery, reflecting the sugar and cold economy of the time.

In 1920, Jules and Henri Wachter bought the house, and the latter became the sole owner in 1927. A distillery was built there the same year, but was destroyed by Hurricane Okeechobee in 1928 before being rebuilt in 1930. The main house, built between 1931 and 1937 by architects Payot and Cane, combines a modern metal structure with a traditional Caribbean aesthetic, with a peripheral terrace and wide openings for ventilation.

The property, still owned by the descendants of Henri Wachter, is partially classified as historical monuments in 2013, including the main house, driveway and remains of the distillery. She also served as a decor in 2012 for an episode of the series Murders in Paradise. In 2018, the site is selected from among the 269 monuments at risk by the Bern mission to benefit from the Heritage Lotto, highlighting its cultural importance and its need for preservation.

Architecturally, the Routa housing is distinguished by its mixture of industrial techniques (metal structure, concrete) and local know-how, as evidenced by its partially transformed auxiliary buildings. The distillery, closed since 1973 and partially destroyed in 1989, still retains hydraulic elements and remains of its past activity, offering a material testimony of Guadeloupe's agro-industrial history.

The site also illustrates the evolution of colonial plantations towards modern farms in the 20th century, while bearing in mind the social and economic dynamics associated with rum production. Its heritage inscription and its recent media coverage contribute to its valuing as a symbol of the Antillean heritage, between colonial heritage and contemporary adaptations.

External links