Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Coquille House, also known as the Turlet House, is an iconic building located at 4 rue du Nègre-Sans-Peur (now 4 rue Léonard) in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe. Built in the late eighteenth century, it is one of the oldest preserved buildings in the city and archipelago. Its architecture reflects colonial influences, with elements typical of the French Antilles such as open galleries and central roofs, replaced later by zinc. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1987 and then classified in 1990, before receiving restorations in 2002 and 2005-2006.

The property was built on land acquired in 1771 by Robert Germain Coquille, Attorney General of the Conseil Souverain de la Guadeloupe. In 1788 it consisted of three buildings: a main masonry body (room, cabinet, corridor and galetas), a second wooden body (gallery and living room), and a third masonry body housing kitchen and wardrobe. In 1794, the main body was raised with wooden attices, adding three bedrooms. The appendices included appentis for domestic slaves or shops, illustrating the social context of the era.

The architecture of the house Shell mixes local techniques and external influences. The open galleries, rare in Basse-Terre, provide shade and ventilation, an adaptation to tropical climate inspired by nearby Spanish colonies. The stone staircase, decorated with terracotta balusters, is a remarkable element, most of the Antillean stairs being then made of wood. Subsequent changes, such as the addition of a wooden floor in 1873, reflect changing needs and techniques, while maintaining the original structure.

The garden, fitted out in terraces with basins and drains, bears witness to the hydraulic ingenuity of the period, using the water of the city for irrigation. Although the property was fragmented, the three main buildings remained, providing an overview of colonial urban life. Recent restorations have preserved this heritage, while revealing details such as the tiles of Provence on the ground floor or the old jars under the staircase.

The house Coquille thus embodies the architectural and social history of Guadeloupe, from its construction by a major legal figure of the colony to its recognition as a historical monument. Its classification in 1990 and the restoration campaigns underline its importance in the Antillean heritage, between Creole heritage and successive adaptations.

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